Category: History

Groundhog Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is the day Punxsutawney Phil will deliver a prediction for a longer winter or an early spring! Groundhog Day is a very popular North American tradition observed primarily in the United States and Canada. Historically, it is a holdover of an old Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that says a groundhog emerging from its burrow on February 2nd sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks; but if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.

While the in-person event has been canceled for safety, there will be an official livestream broadcast of the event offered by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. There will be a video preshow beginning at 6:30 a.m. on February 2nd with fun facts and history. The live show, beginning at 7:15 a.m., will include Phil’s emergence and an official translation of his prediction. Visit the official website HERE to stream now!

National Freedom Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

National Freedom Day is an observance in the United States that honors the signing of a resolution that proposed the 13th amendment of the nation’s constitution on February 1, 1865. Abraham Lincoln, who was the president at the time, signed the resolution to outlaw slavery. However, it was not ratified by the states until December 18, 1865. Still, the anniversary is annually observed on February 1 due to the efforts of a former slave by the name of Major Richard Robert Wright, Sr. He founded National Freedom Day because he believed it was important to celebrate and remember this legal turning point. Major Wright was looked upon as a great leader in the community, and his immediate groundwork eventually culminated in (then)President Harry Truman signing a bill proclaiming February 1st as the first official National Freedom Day in the United States on June 30, 1948. 

Inspire Your Heart With Art!

Debbie Roney Smith on

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso

Today is Inspire Your Heart With Art Day! Held annually on January 31st, this is a day to ponder how art affects you, your world, and your understanding of the world. Celebrate this annual event by appreciating art and/or your own creativity; consider the following activities to recognize this amazingly introspective day:

  • Visit an art gallery
  • Read a good book
  • Listen to music; especially an artist/genre you wouldn’t regularly listen to
  • Start your own artistic masterpiece (paint, draw, compose, create, et cetera)
  • A regular artist? Explore a new technique
  • Stream an inspirational film or art documentary
  • Share your art with others via social media 

National Florida Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is National Florida Day, an annual event held on January 25th that recognizes Florida as the 27th state to join the United States of America. Some quick history facts on the founding of the state:

  • Florida is home to the oldest established city in the country; St. Augustine is over 400yrs old and still maintains a large portion of its original colonial architecture and streets. 
  • After the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1763, control of the territory now known as Florida was returned to Spain.
  • Present-day Florida borders came through 1) the Louisianna Purchase of 1803 and 2) an 1812 transaction that merged West Florida with the Mississippi Territory in order to stop a local uprising. 

National Handwriting Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today, January 23rd is National Handwriting Day! It was established in 1977 by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association to promote the consumption of pens, pencils, and writing paper. The date chosen is significant because it is the birthday of John Hancock, the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. Celebrate this annual event by putting a writing utensil to a writing medium: 

  • Journal
  • Send a handwritten letter to a friend or family member
  • Write a short story or poem
  • Try calligraphy
  • Write a love note for someone you care about

New Year’s Eve

Debbie Roney Smith on

New Year’s Eve, celebrated annually on December 31st, historically marks the final day of the Gregorian calendar year. The Gregorian calendar is based on the solar year and replaced the ancient Roman calendar that was based on the lunar cycle of the moon. Ever wonder where on Earth you need to be to experience midnight before anyone else? The clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve on the Pacific island nations of Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati first. Swiftly behind the three island nations, New Zealand,  Australia, Japan, and South Korea are the next countries to enjoy the new year.

Christmas Eve-ntful Facts!

Debbie Roney Smith on
Saint Nicholas Church, Austria

Today is Christmas Eve! Take a look at these three fun facts about the night before Christmas:

  1. The traditional Christmas carol “Silent Night” was first performed in the Austrian village of Oberndorf on Christmas Eve in 1818. It was performed for the public at a midnight mass in the Saint Nicholas parish church.
  2. You might already know that the astronauts on the Apollo 8 mission of 1969 were the first humans to orbit the Moon but did you know that it was broadcasted live on Christmas Eve?! 
  3. Celebrating Christmas Eve has been a tradition almost as long as the Christmas holiday itself. This is historically linked to the history of Christian public worship beginning at sunset with the ringing of bells; therefore, a celebration of Christmas would begin, literally, on the Eve of Christmas. Also, jingle-bells!

Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving!

Debbie Roney Smith on

The United States of America, or at least the area that would become the U.S.A., first called for a national day of thanksgiving to celebrate victory over the British in the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. However, it didn’t officially become a sanctioned holiday until 1863, thanks to the efforts of author Sarah Josepha Hale (you might know her from the poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb”). 

Here’s a fascinating story you can share this year to wow people with the breadth of your knowledge!

Image having 26 elephants worth of extra turkey!!!

In 1953, C.A. Swanson & Sons overestimated demand for Thanksgiving turkey and had over 260 TONS of extra frozen birds. In the end, an employee came up with the idea to order 5,000 aluminum trays, devise a new turkey meal, and use an assembly line of workers to put together the meal on the trays. And thus the first frozen TV tray dinner was created! It was such a hit that the next year, 1954, the company put the TV trays into production and sold 10 million turkey tray dinners. Nowadays, the global frozen food market size is valued at approximately $291.3 billion (as of 2019).

National Day of Mourning is For Honoring

Debbie Roney Smith on

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving as well as the National Day Of Mourning! The Day of Mourning has been observed annually since 1970 on the fourth Thursday in November. This year, 2020, this annual support rally is going to be held the same day as Thanksgiving. The National Day of Mourning rally is organized by the United American Indians of New England (UAINE). The UAINE is an autonomous, Native-based organization focused on confronting racism and fighting for the freedom of people who were imprisoned for political reasons. Their Day of Mourning rallies not only bring new perspectives and fondness for Native American culture but also bring about positive social changes such as revisions on how American history is portrayed.

From the UAINE Facebook Page

To celebrate and observe the National Day of Mourning, consider learning about the various complex, rich cultures of indigenous nations in what is now the United States. Looking for somewhere to start? Visit the First Nations Development Institute website HERE. Or consider using the Native Land Digital interactive map (click here!) to learn more about territory awareness. Or visit the UAINE official website HERE. 

National Parents as Teachers Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

National Parents as Teachers Day is today. Observed annually on November 8th since 2001, it was originally put forth by The Parents as Teachers Centre in Missouri in the 1970s; Missouri educators had witnessed children starting kindergarten with various levels of school readiness in correlation to their parental involvement. Now, National Parents as Teachers Day recognizes the parent educators as well as the organizations that offer parents’ education services across the country. During this trying time, existing amongst the global pandemic, more parents than ever are fulfilling the role of parent and teacher for their children. Parent educators give parents of young children support and information so all children can learn, grow, and develop to realize their full potential.