Category: National Observance Days

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

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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

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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

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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. 

Inspire Your Heart with Art

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Today is Inspire Your Heart with Art Day! There is growing scientific evidence that creating art helps cognitive health.(1) Painting has helped stimulate memories and encourage connections in those with dementia. Further studies have shown that using art to express oneself can help improve the emotional health of individuals with depression, anxiety, and cancer. Additionally, art has been linked to improved memory, reasoning, and resilience in healthy older people. 

Art is for individuals of ALL ages. It can be messy or neat, colorful or black and white, a mix of mediums, and more. There are no rules in art. Spend today exploring the world and yourself through artistic creation. You can make art using anything and everything; finger painting in the dirt with your kids can be just as beautiful and fulfilling as spending hours on a detailed ink drawing. 

National Blueberry Pancake Day

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Today is National Blueberry Pancake Day! Pancakes are one of the world’s oldest foods. According to historical evidence, humans have been making flat, fried dough cakes since the Stone Ages.(1)

The word ‘pancake’ first appeared in the English language in the 15th century. By the 19th century, ‘pancake’ experienced a steady incline in usage in the United States. Pancakes are also known as johnnycakes, hoecakes, griddle cakes, and flapjacks. Adding blueberries is a time-honed tradition. Blueberries are one of the only native North American berries to still be eaten today. Even better, there are a large number of Florida native blueberries that you can grow and harvest from. Spring is coming soon and is a great time to plant blueberries so you can benefit from the late summer-early fall harvest.

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, packed with nutrients, and have been linked to a number of health benefits including lower blood pressure, improved insulin response, and reduced risk of cancer. There are three popular methods of adding blueberries to the pancakes: 1) fold them into the batter, 2) add them after pouring the batter into the pan, and 3) top the pancakes with whole blueberries. Consider adding nuts, chocolate chips, vanilla, blueberry syrup, or chia seeds for a little something extra. 

National Florida Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is National Florida Day! Florida contains over 400 years of U.S. history. It was the 27th State to unite with the USA in 1845 but its history is longer; it contains the oldest European-settled city in the U.S. Florida is nicknamed The Sunshine State because of its sunny climate and natural, lush beauty. The state houses over 20 million people and is the THIRD most populous state in the USA. Celebrate the natural wonder of Florida today! 

Arbor Day 2024

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Arbor Day is only a week away! Arbor Day is a holiday that celebrates the planting, upkeep, and preservation of trees. The first Arbor Day was held on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska; they planted approximately 1 million trees! Within 20 years, Arbor Day spread throughout the nation to every state save Deleware. In 1883, it spread internationally to Japan, Europe, Canada, and further. It became a national holiday in 1970 during Nixon’s presidency, and is now a treasured annual event across the globe.

Click the image to learn more about Forests and Carbon!

The need for trees is ever-growing. According to UN Forestry Data, around ten million hectares of forest are destroyed globally every year; for reference, that’s an area the size of Portugal! Around half of the deforestation is offset by regrowing forests, so overall there’s a loss of around five million hectares each year. Imagine if we could bridge the gap; 1 hectare of #forest captures anywhere from 2-5 tonnes of #CO2 a year (this depends on several factors such as the rate of growth, the age of the forest, location, number of trees, and more). According to a 2019 survey, adding nearly 1 billion hectares of forest could remove two-thirds of the roughly 300 gigatons of carbon humans have added to the atmosphere since the 1800s.

Adding forests wouldn’t just sequester carbon; forests provide a host of added benefits including enhanced biodiversity, improved water quality, reduced erosion, improved air quality, and more. Forests can help provide jobs, recreation areas, and can attract tourists for everything from one-of-a-kind views to rare bird species. And it might sound cliche, but a forest starts with you.

So this Arbor Day, get your hands dirty and plant a tree! Visit the Arbor Day Foundation event map to see what’s happening in your area. 

National Gourmet Coffee Day

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National Gourmet Coffee Day is celebrated on January 18 every year. Gourmet coffee is specifically made using 100% Arabica coffee beans and is renowned for its quality and consistency of flavor. Looking to try a cup of gourmet coffee today? The list below curates coffee shops in the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas that reportedly carry/have carried Arabica coffee beans. Or, consider buying online and brewing at home!