Category: National Observance Days

National Black Cat Appreciation Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Tomorrow is National Black Cat Appreciation Day! Black cats have a long, varied history among the civilizations of the world. Black cats are positive omens for some cultures while symbolizing bad luck in others. Perhaphs the most prevalent lore around black cats here in the USA is their believed connection to witches. This supersition was brought to the United States by the Puritans; they believed that all black cats were shape-shifting witches. The fear was so strong it became common to burn black cats on Shrove Tuesday to protect one’s home from fires. 

Nowadays, black cats are just as treasured and precious as any of our beloved pets. However, they still face predjuce due to centuries of misconceptions; they are more likely to be euthanized at kill-shelters and are the least likely to be adopted. There are a number of studies demonstrating the “black cat bias.”

Celebrate black cats by: 

  • Sharing adoptable black cats on social media.
  • Volunteer time or resources to local shelters.
  • Adopt, don’t shop!
  • Share a fun fact about black cats. 

4th of July (2023)

Debbie Roney Smith on

Happy Fourth of July!

Also known as Independence Day, the 4th of July has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. The celebration itself goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. Congress made it a federal holiday in 1870. The 1870 provision expanded to grant paid holiday leave to all federal employees in 1941. Nowadays, people celebrate with food, friends, family, and fireworks! Be sure to celebrate safely; never leave animals or children unattended when setting off fireworks, have a water hose on hand for accidents, and don’t play with fire if you’re drinking alcohol. Have a lovely holiday!

Father’s Day 2023

Debbie Roney Smith on

Happy Father’s Day! Did you know that Father’s Day wasn’t declared a national holiday until 1972? It was first introduced to Congress in 1913 but failed to gain tractor or public favor for quite some time. Public opinion scoffed at the idea of celebrating fathers as they did mothers – there was a perceived softness to mothers that the culture of the time didn’t associate with the more stoic, reserved role of fatherhood. In fact, former President Woodrow Wilson once referred to Mother’s Day as a way to recognize “that tender, gentle army – the mothers of America.”

Father’s Day gained traction in part because of the advocacy of Grace Golden Clayton and Sonora Smart Dodd. The Great Depression and World War II pushed Father’s Day into the cultural consciousness and helped the day become commercially important. Additionally, the changing roles of fathers clinched the deal for Father’s Day; the modern role of a father is growing evermore removed from its historical roots. Now, the day is spent celebrating fathers and father figures who provide critical support during a child’s life. There is a growing field of study showing the direct and indirect effects of fathers on children’s well-being. 

National Homeownership Month

Debbie Roney Smith on

June is National Homeownership Month! It celebrates the value that owning a home brings to families, communities, and neighborhoods across America. It helps spread the joys of being a homeowner and encourages others to achieve the same thing. Did you know that most Americans had no way of owning a home in the 1800s? Mortgages became common after the U.S. banking system came into being as a result of the 1860s National Bank Acts.

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Event

Debbie Roney Smith on

Next weekend is Arbor Day! First celebrated in Nebraska in 1874, Arbor Day is dedicated to planting trees and celebrating their various roles in the world. Trees do a lot including but not limited to boosting our mental health, eating greenhouse gases, cooling the areas around them, supporting wildlife, and cleaning the air!

To celebrate, Panama City Quality of Life is working with IFAS to give FREE trees to Bay County citizens. This offer is only good while supplies last, so come out early to secure your River Birch or Red Maple! The tree giveaway will be held from 9am-1pm at McKenzie Park. There will also be a free kid craft and tree planting kit at Oaks by the Bay Park from 10-11am while supplies last. Learn more by visiting the Facebook event page here. 

National Pet Day 2023

Debbie Roney Smith on
Duke, one of Debbie’s furry family members.

Today is National Pet Day! Founded by Colleen Paige in 2006, it’s an annual opportunity to celebrate our animal friends. Paige is an animal welfare advocate and pet-and-family lifestyle expert who wanted to bring attention to the growing needs of many unhoused pets who are waiting to be adopted from shelters.

One of many sweet kitties who live with Debbie.

These animals include more than the standard dogs and cats; rabbits, pigs, birds, and many reptiles are often taken in by shelters or rescue organizations. The phrase “Don’t Shop! Adopt!” is the holiday’s motto. Celebrate National Pet Day by doing your furry family member(s) favorite things, volunteering at an animal welfare organization, or donating resources to no-kill shelters or rescue centers in your area. 

JD, one of Debbie’s furry family members.

National School Librarian Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

National School Librarian Day is observed internationally on April 4th. The importance of school librarians is often overlooked by the general population. However, since 1992, school library impact studies have consistently shown positive correlations between high-quality library programs and higher student achievement (Gretes, 2013; Scholastic, 2016). School librarians help keep libraries well-stocked, organized, and clean. They’re also a key resource for students; they assist in research, provide a safe space to study, and often more. Support your local libraries and librarians by donating books and time, and supporting politicians who prioritize library sciences.

Caregiver Appreciation Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Caregiver Appreciation Day is a national celebration that recognizes the individuals who provide care services to people who cannot care for themselves. These people include the elderly, the disabled, and those who are hospitalized or in need of temporary care. There are a variety of caregiver appreciation days but it is generally celebrated on either November 13th and/or March 3rd. The value of services provided by informal caregivers has steadily increased over the last decade; worth $450 in 2009, $470 billion in 2013, and $375 billion in 2007.(1)

This annual celebration honors and thanks the selfless caregivers who give their time, effort, and emotional energy to those who need it. Caregivers work with a spectrum of individuals who need assistance due to different conditions; some individuals who require full or part-time caregivers are those living with disabilities, illnesses, and the elderly. There are over 40 MILLION caregivers in the U.S.A. They play an essential role in communities and often go unrecognized for their work.(2) 

National Wine Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Wine has been a staple in human culture since its invention in 7000 BC. So it’s no suprise that there’s a National Wine Day! Celebrate with a glass of your favorite wine today. Consider visiting one of the local wineries below (click on the location to visit winery websites):

Valentine’s Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Happy Valentine’s Day!

While the exact historical origin of Valentine’s Day is unclear, it is known that it derives from Christian and ancient Roman traditions.

Some might recognize the moniker of ‘Saint Valentine’ but did you know that there are three distinct saints that go by Valentine recognized by the Catholic church? It is unclear which of the three saints is the direct origin of the annual holiday but that hardly matters. The importance of Saint V is that his historical figure is featured in stories that are overall tragic while emphasizing “his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and—most importantly—romantic figure.”(1) 

Historical evidence indicates that the Catholic church might have introduced Valentine’s Day to combat the prevalence of the pagan festival, Lupercalia. A fertility festival celebrated on February 15th, Lupercalia was a celebration of the Roman god, Faunus, and the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.  Combined with the romantically tragic backstory of figurehead Saint Valentine, the erasure of the Lupercalia created an annual celebration of romance, fertility, dating, and affection.