The objective of World Hello Day is a November 21 holiday. It exists to promote world peace. The theme of this day is “Greet ten people for peace”. It is really easy to participate in World Hello Day. Simply, say hello to the people today. And, voice your concern for world peace. Surely, you can do this tiny task to help make the world a better place.

World Hello Day was created during the 1973 conflict between Egypt and Israel. The creators of this day, Brian McCormack and Michael McCormack believe your efforts can help to promote global peace. They believe it starts with communication, hence the greeting to ten people.

For more information, visit the creators’ website. 

On World Vegan Day we celebrate those who practice veganism. This November 1 holiday is a great opportunity to learn and appreciate the benefits of veganism for humans, non-human animals, and the environment.

 Veganism is the practice of consuming a plant-based diet and not eating animals. For a true vegan, this includes not eating fish, as well as milk, eggs, cheese, and anything made with these products. Imagine all the foods that have milk or eggs in them! A significant number of people who are “Vegan”, will not eat meat but will consume milk or eggs. 

Today we celebrate the benefits of veganism to:

• Humans – It’s a healthier, plant-based diet, and results in a healthier you. This diet is higher in fiber and lowers in cholesterol. It helps to lower the risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure, and obesity risk.
• Animals – Animals and animal rights groups will just love you. It means the lives of many animals will be spared.
• Environment – Plants are lower on the food chain and require far fewer resources to feed you than animal meats.

Vegan organizations celebrate this day, by raising awareness of veganism. They offer educational programs and workshops to the general public. They also sometimes hold a feast, loaded with plant-based goodies. If you are new to the world of veganism, you can become a vegan, if only for a day.

Did You Know? An Ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.

Today is World Pneumonia Day, a November 12 observance. This special day is not a holiday. Rather, as mentioned, it is an observance. Created by The World Health Organization (WHO) of the UN, the goals of this day are to raise awareness, promote prevention, and promote treatment of pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a common and very serious ailment. It can be deadly. Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs, that makes breathing difficult. This in turn puts stress on your heart and other organs of your body. Just about anyone can get pneumonia. A cold can turn into pneumonia. Pneumonia is most serious for the very young, the very old, and people whose immune system is weak or compromised. Anyone with a cold can find it turns into pneumonia. Thus, if you contract pneumonia or suspect you do, see your doctor immediately. Medicine is effective in most cases. So, take medicines as prescribed. Then, get plenty of liquids, plenty of rest, and very importantly, get up out of bed to take short, frequent walks. Lying in bed allows pneumonia to “settle” into your lungs. That’s when pneumonia can become deadly.

Did You Know? Pneumonia is the largest single cause of death for children under 5 years old.

There’s good news in the fight against pneumonia. There is now a vaccine to help protect you from pneumonia. And, most people can take it. Now, you can protect your children, elderly parents, and yourselves. Do what the UN’s WHO want you to do. Talk to your doctor about getting the vaccine for every member of your family.

Today is World Origami Day. Aren’t you glad that this November 11 holiday is finally here!? Origami is a form of art, first practiced in ancient Japan. It is the art of making intricate objects out of squares of paper. The most frequent origami objects are cranes and other birds. You can make any other object, assuming you have the skill and imagination to do so. Origami is extremely popular at weddings, parties of all kinds, and even fancy dinners. 

The art of origami first appeared in Ancient Japan. It also has early roots in China and to some extent European countries. Today, you can find origami artists plying their trade to tourists on the streets of cities like Tokyo and Shanghai. In America, it is far less popular. However, if you are interested in trying your hand at origami, you can buy kits at craft stores.

Ready to try your hand at origami? Start with a simple object first. Take a piece of paper. Fold it in almost any number of ways. But, you can’t use scissors, a knife, glue, or tape parts of it together. It can only be made by folding the paper. Simple objects can be made in less than a minute, while other more intricate objects can take quite some time. There are plenty of online sites where you can get instructions.

Did You Know? Making paper airplanes is a form of origami.

World Freedom Day is a U.S. federal observance, marking the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall was known as the “Iron Curtain”. This special November 9 holiday also commemorates the end of communism in Eastern and Central Europe. The Berlin Wall was very much a symbol of communism and the lack of basic freedoms. The Berlin Wall separated communist East Berlin from West Berlin, keeping apart family and friends from each other in their own city! Can you imagine not having the freedom to go where you pleased?

In the late 1980s, communism was weakening in Europe. The communist grip on many countries was slowly failing, and democracy was returning to several eastern European countries. In 1989, after weeks and months of unrest, the communist government of East Germany finally relented. On November 8, 1989, they announced that East German citizens could freely visit West Berlin and West Germany, throwing open the Berlin Wall. People responded with joyous victory celebration at the wall. Many people chipped away pieces of the wall as souvenirs. Demolition of the wall began in December 1989. It was completed in 1990.

As Americans, we seldom take the time to consider just what freedom is or to appreciate that we live in a country where we are indeed free. Unlike millions of people in many other countries, we tend to take freedom for granted. Communist countries and dictatorial regimes all repress even some of the most basic freedoms. Can you imagine the thought of speaking your mind in any way against one of these forms of government? It can have dire and even fatal consequences.

Happy World Freedom Day!!

World Diabetes Day is today, a November 14 holiday. It is an annual event that brings awareness to the scope of this global illness. Millions of people are inflicted with it. Here in America, this health crisis is getting increasingly worse, driven by poor diets and a lack of exercise.

Diabetes has two forms. The first is Juvenile or Type 1 Diabetes. You are born with it or develop it in your youth.  The second is Adult Onset Diabetes. This is known as Type II Diabetes. While Type II Diabetes may be inevitable as we grow older, there are many things you can do to delay the onset and progression of this disease. 

Diabetes is a growing problem in children and adults. Many see it as a looming crisis in America, due to our diets, and more sedentary lifestyles. In the case of Type 2, it usually can be avoided or delayed with diet and exercise.

There are several goals for this special day.  They include:

• First, raise awareness of Diabetes -causes, effects, and complications.
• Second, provide conferences and educational programs about Diabetes, treatment, and management.
• To promote fundraising for treatment and cures. Bike hikes are a popular fundraising event for this day.
• To encourage people to make lifestyle changes to fight the onset of this disease.
• Finally, seek a cure.

Marine Corps Day celebrates the birth of the United States Marine Corps. The Corps, as it is often referred to, was created during the Revolutionary War. This November 10 holiday celebrates and honors those who have served in the Marines.

The Continental Congress of the newly created United States of America authorized the creation of the Continental Marines on November 10, 1775. It was later renamed the U.S. Marine Corps. It is often abbreviated as USMC.

The Marine Corps has proudly participated in every war that has involved the United States.

If you see a Marine today, thank them for their contributions to protecting our country. Regardless of whether they are active or retired, they deserve our thanks and appreciation.  

Do You know what Semper fi means? It means “always faithful”.

Today’s Motto: “Leave No Man Behind'”

The objective of National Tie One on Day is likely something other than what you were thinking. It is not a day to indulge in copious amounts of alcohol. And, it’s not a day to tie something onto something. Rather, it’s a day of kindness and encouragement. The tradition for this day is to bake a fresh loaf of bread. Then, wrap up the bread and a new apron together. Give this anonymously to someone less fortunate or in need of cheering up.

According to the Apron Memories website, National Tie One on Day is a day to “give from the heart”. Tomorrow, we will give thanks for what we have. Today, you get the opportunity to put the “Give” back into Thanksgiving, by doing one small good deed for someone less fortunate.

Take a Hike Day is today, a November 17 holiday. Walking, and hiking are excellent ways to exercise and get into shape. Hikes are distinguished from walks, in that they are taken in the woods, hills, mountains, or somewhere else in a natural setting. Hikes not only give you exercise, but they also provide scenic sites and vistas, that are good for the relaxation of the mind and soul.

There is some reference to this as National Tell Your Boss to Take a Hike Day. It likely evolved out of Take a Hike Day. We have found no factual information whatsoever, on this derivation of Take a Hike Day. Also, we believe that telling your boss to “take a hike”, may not be healthy for your employment situation.

Some people have suggested that this day be used to tell someone to “take a hike”. We leave this use of this interpretation up to the reader!

Use this special day to take a hike, alone or with others. Make it a goal to hike today and work off a little excess weight so you can put it right back on during Thanksgiving. You’ll be glad you did.

Stay at Home Because You Are Well Day is today, a November 30 holiday. Do you feel okay? If so, it is a good day to take off from work. According to  Wellcat.com, the creators of this special day, the objective is to call in “well” to your work. It’s as simple as that.

Caution: Of course, we recommend you use extreme caution and good judgment. Following the concept of this day could get you a reprimand or cost you your job. Participating in this day might not be the right thing for you to do. 

You may be hesitant to call in “well”. Certainly, the boss could become perturbed. And, you don’t want to lie. We suggest you tell the boss you are “under the weather”. This isn’t a lie, as we all are constantly under some kind of weather.  Hopefully, you are under sunny weather.

Have a happy Stay at Home Because You Are Well Day.