Category: A Look Back

  • MEDIA ALERT | NEW DAY PROCLAMATION | NATIONAL STRETCHING DAY | DECEMBER 11

    MEDIA ALERT | NEW DAY PROCLAMATION | NATIONAL STRETCHING DAY | DECEMBER 11

    National Day Calendar is pleased to welcome Stretch Zone to the National Day Calendar Founder Family. Beginning in 2022, we will celebrate National Stretching Day on December 11 and each year after. Be sure to mark your calendar! Why is stretching important? The short answer, regular stretching improves our lifestyle and helps us live a better life. When we stretch daily, we increase our mobility and keep our muscles flexible and strong.

    #NationalStretchingDay

    Flexibility is one of the most significant components to leading a healthy lifestyle. When most think about stretching, it is in relation to one or two stand-by stretches that are held for a few seconds and released. However, this isn’t the most efficient form of stretching.

    There is a way to stretch that can make you feel a difference. On National Stretching Day, we are bringing awareness to why incorporating practitioner assisted-stretching into your everyday routine will make your movements more efficient. In fact, your stretching movements will be more effortless and pain-free on a daily basis.

    Importance of Stretching

    Why is stretching important? Stretching improves our lifestyle and helps us live a better life. When we stretch daily, we increase our mobility and keep our muscles flexible and strong. Due to sedentary lifestyles of growing older or over stressed muscles, people develop excessive resting muscle tone causing everyday movement to be difficult, cumbersome, or painful. Our independence becomes compromised, partially due to a greater inability to move.

    Daily stretching exercises or getting regularly stretched by a certified practitioner will keep joints moving efficiently as we age. This will keep our body healthy. A few additional key benefits to stretching:

    • Relieves stiffness and soreness in your joints.
    • Increases and maintains your active range of motion.
    • Improves circulation and blood flow.
    • Mitigates muscle imbalances that can lead to poor posture. Strengthening and stretching specific muscle groups can assist in promoting proper alignment.
    • Re-establishes a more ideal resting muscle tone and optimal muscle extensibility making movement easier and more efficient.
    • Supports injury prevention, enhances athletic skills and improves your ability to do daily activities.
    • Helps with stress reduction, calming the mind and decreasing tension headaches.
    • It makes you feel lighter and younger.

    Stretching Benefits

    Being stretched by a professional on a regular basis helps to relax your muscles while at the same time improves your active range of motion and ultimately your daily motor skills.

    The main goal of practitioner assisted-stretching is to be able to move further efficiently and effortlessly. Over time, a persons tolerance to stretch systematically increases. Eventually, your muscles will freely extend further to ultimately make life better. Practitioner assisted-stretching enables you to regain the ability to do what you once enjoyed doing and continue to be active for the rest of your life.

    Stretching Truths

    Research shows that the limiting factor to increase lasting apparent muscle extensibility is not the length or viscoelastic properties of the muscle. You cannot truly ‘stretch’ a muscle because muscles are not very elastic do not ‘stretch’ to a longer length. Instead, muscle extensibility depends upon the muscles’ sensitivity to tolerate the stretch.

    Muscle length does not profoundly change despite what the word stretch implies. In truth, muscles extend further and further by increasing their “tolerance” to a stretch. Regular stretches at the right intensity and frequency builds stretch-tolerance and apparent muscle extensibility. Studies also show stretching one or two days per week was adequate to maintain range of movement (ROM) gains. Stretching three or more days per week allows you to attain further ROM gains.

    LET LOOSE

    • Develop a new daily stretching routine and stick to it.
    • Learn about the short and long-term benefits of stretching.
    • Join a Yoga class.
    • Play a nightly game of Twister with your family and have fun stretching.
    • Volunteer at a retirement facility and engage residents to practice daily stretching techniques.
    • Join a stretching class.
    • Document your stretching journey and watch your progress.
    • Learn about the Stretch Zone Method.
    • Share your photos of your stretching routine on social media using #NationalStretchingDay.

    FOUNDER

    National Day Calendar is pleased to welcome Stretch Zone to the National Day Calendar Founder Family. Beginning in 2022, we will celebrate National Stretching Day on December 11 and each year after.

    Stretch Zone was founded in 2004 by Jorden Gold after watching diabetes deteriorate his Pop-Pop (grandfather) and seeing him become immobile as a result. Gold believed he could apply a proprietary stretching method to help individuals increase their mobility, while reaping the many benefits that proper stretching offers. This became known as the Stretch Zone method and led to the creation of the world’s first and largest stretching franchise.

    The Stretch Zone method uses a patented strapping system and principles of neuromuscular behavior. A 30-minute practitioner-assisted stretching session at Stretch Zone delivers a life-changing stretch experience that follows specific methods and protocols. It is designed to improve circulation and create a more ideal resting muscle tone.

    Make a Pledge to Stretch on December 11

    If you’ve never been properly stretched or even if you have, use National Stretching Day an opportunity to take advantage of a free 30-minute stretch from a certified practitioner at Stretch Zone. Once you’ve been stretched, give a free stretch to someone else! Visit Stretch Zone National Stretching Day to find more ways on how you can celebrate National Stretching Day with Stretch Zone.

    A few other easy ways you can observe National Stretching Day are:

    • Use the hashtag #NationalStretchingDay on social media to show how you stretch and/or how stretching changed your life.
    • Learn about the short and long-term benefits of stretching.
    • Document your stretching journey and watch your progress.
    • Learn about the Stretch Zone Method.
  • MEDIA ALERT | NEW DAY PROCLAMATION | NATIONAL CROSSWORD SOLVERS DAY | DECEMBER 8

    MEDIA ALERT | NEW DAY PROCLAMATION | NATIONAL CROSSWORD SOLVERS DAY | DECEMBER 8

    Coming on December 8 we celebrate National Crossword Solvers Day with nearly 50 million people who enjoy solving crossword puzzles. In November 2022, National Day Calendar welcomed National Crossword Solvers Day to our list of National Days. The day was introduced by professional crossword puzzle writer Myles Mellor, an international crossword puzzle publisher.

    #NationalCrosswordSolversDay

    Solving crossword puzzles is a favorite pastime for people across the globe. In fact, it is so popular, people who solve or write crossword puzzles have their own name–cruciverbalists! Today, we want to celebrate all the cruciverbalists in the world, plus encourage everyone to find a crossword puzzle and become a solver, too!

    How Old Are Crossword Puzzles?

    The crossword puzzle was first introduced in the New York World newspaper in 1913 by journalist Arthur Wynne. It was the eve of WWI and Wynne was looking for a new game for the FUN section in the newspaper as a way to take people’s minds off the impending war. Wynne began by creating a blank word search grid. Each grid came with a list of clues for readers to use in solving the letters. The original puzzle was named “FUN’s Word-Cross Puzzle” and was interestingly found in the shape of a diamond. A few weeks later an editor made a typo naming the puzzle “Cross-Word.” This cross mistake became a historical game changer.

    The first records of crossword puzzles are historically found to originate in England during the 19th century. Most of these puzzles were easy to solve, and usually printed in children’s books or periodicals. Meanwhile, Americans were turning crossword puzzle solving into an adult pastime. Today, crossword solvers have many choices in satisfying their puzzle cravings, including celebrating National Crossword Solvers Day in December every year.

    What is a Crossword Puzzle? 

    A crossword puzzle is a diagram of white and black squares with a list of numbered clues, running across and down the grid. The black squares are blank fillers, while the white squares are for the answers for the clues. One letter for the answer goes in one square. Each clue corresponds with numbers on the puzzle, interlocking or crisscrossing each other. The goal of a crossword puzzle is to solve the clues by filling the white spaces with the answers to the clues.

    Benefits of Solving Crossword Puzzles

    People who solve crossword puzzles are often more relaxed, especially when trying to solve day-to-day problems. Many use their puzzle-solving skills indirectly by approaching stressful situations similar to how they approach solving puzzles. Slow, calculated, and with thought. Studies show solving crossword puzzles regularly has several health benefits, including:

    • Improving short-term memory skills.
    • Assisting in developing better problem-solving skills.
    • Increasing individual IQ by learning new vocabulary.
    • Helping delay dementia and Alzheimer symptoms in at-risk individuals.
    • Improving mood by lowering stress levels and teaching the brain to relax.

    5 Fun Crossword Puzzle Facts

    1. Arthur Wynne, New York World journalist, published the first crossword puzzle in December 1913.
    2. A cruciverbalist is a person who loves to create and solve crossword puzzles.
    3. An estimated 50 million people in the US solve crossword puzzles.
    4. In 2014, Bernice Gorden became the oldest person to publish a crossword puzzle in the NY Times at the age of 101.
    5. Solving crossword puzzles is beneficial to a person’s brain health.

    CELEBRATING CROSSWORD SOLVERS

    • Solve the crossword puzzle in your newspaper or in a magazine.
    • Gift a book of crossword puzzles for the cruciverbalist in your life.
    • Find a crossword puzzle app and start playing once a day to experience the health benefits.
    • Create a crossword puzzle for your friends and family.
    • Enter the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament created and run by the legendary New York Times Crossword editor, Will Shortz.
    • Share your photos and videos of solving crossword puzzles on social media using  #NationalCrosswordSolversDay.

    MEET THE FOUNDER

    In November 2022, National Day Calendar welcomed National Crossword Solvers Day to our list of National Days. The day was introduced by professional crossword puzzle writer Myles Mellor, an international crossword puzzle publisher.

    To date, Myles has published over 17,000 crosswords and is one of the most successful and prolific crossword puzzle writers in the U.S. Myles actively publishes around 80 crossword puzzles per month, reaching 2 million people. Appearing in over 1,000 magazines, over 55 books, hundreds of weekly newspapers and across numerous websites, he continues to delight puzzle solvers every day.

    Myles’ resume includes creating puzzles for executives and celebrities. He also creates personalized puzzles for weddings, engagements, birthdays and anniversaries. Myles gives back by providing weekly interactive crosswords to the San Diego Alzheimer’s organization. In addition to creating crossword puzzles, he also creates word searches, sudokus, and other puzzles. As a world-renowned puzzle creator and publisher, Myles works with Simon and Schuster, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Books a Million and many other top publishers to bring his passion to crossword solvers everywhere.

  • MEDIA ALERT | NEW DAY PROCLAMATION | NATIONAL SECONDHAND SUNDAY | SUNDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING

    MEDIA ALERT | NEW DAY PROCLAMATION | NATIONAL SECONDHAND SUNDAY | SUNDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING

    National Day Calendar announces the founding of National Secondhand Sunday to be celebrated the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This new National Day was submitted and approved in 2022 on behalf of @poshmark, the leading social marketplace for resale and secondhand items.

    With the holiday shopping season in full swing, National Secondhand Sunday offers consumers a chance to embrace and reshape the perception of secondhand gifting. Today, we want to encourage everyone to consider a secondhand gift for everyone on their list.

    #SecondhandSunday

    With the holiday shopping season in full swing, National Secondhand Sunday offers consumers a chance to embrace and reshape the perception of secondhand gifting. Today, we want to encourage everyone to consider a secondhand gift for everyone on their list.

    Why Shop Secondhand? 

    Now, more than ever, there is both a need and a willingness to embrace the power of secondhand gifting. In a recent 2022 survey conducted by Morning Consult, more than 90 percent of U.S. adults are open to receiving a secondhand or resale gift this holiday season. In addition, more than half of those say they are very open to receiving something secondhand.

    The environmental benefits of shopping secondhand are also undeniable. Replacing just one new gift with a secondhand item has an impact on the environment. For example, gifting a vintage leather tote bag instead of purchasing a new one could save as much as 17,000 liters of water. That amount is what a single person would drink over 23 years!

    Join the national movement to make secondhand shopping a regular practice. In doing so, you will make choices that support individual economic empowerment, social connection, and environmental sustainability. Read more…

  • MEDIA ALERT | NEW DAY PROCLAMATION | NATIONAL CIVIC PRIDE DAY | NOVEMBER 10

    MEDIA ALERT | NEW DAY PROCLAMATION | NATIONAL CIVIC PRIDE DAY | NOVEMBER 10

    Explore Houma and National Day Calendar announce the newly founded National Civic Pride Day to be celebrated each year on November 10.

    Civic pride is both the heart of the people and the communities they live in.

    #NationalCivicPrideDay

    Why is civic pride important? Civic pride gives every community member a feeling of belonging in a community where they can live their life to the fullest. Come discover more…

  • Wow! 2023 National Day Wall and Desk Calendars, Ugly Sweater Ornaments, Remember When Booklets are perfect for the Holidays. a

    Official Ornament for National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

    You can choose to personalize the ornament as well.  Celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day (3rd Friday in December) with this real wood engraved ugly sweater ornament. We take a piece of wood, cut it, and ship it directly to you. We provide you with a hook and a piece of ribbon to hang your ornament. Imagine the surprise when someone opens this amazing gift or notices it on your tree. The person who receives this will think of you for many years, especially if you choose to have it personalized with their name. Ugly Christmas Sweater Ornament.

     

     

    Remember When Booklets are a greeting card/booklet hybrid, that include 24 pages of interesting news, facts, authentic ads, cost of living index, and much more for your special year!

    This nostalgic booklet style is popular for birthdays, reunions, anniversaries, homecomings and other special occasions. Whatever the occasion, Remember When booklets usher in and foster those deep feelings of nostalgia. Even though we live in a world that is constantly changing, memories are never left in the past.

    We have also teamed up with the 2023 Small Business Planner for Entrepreneurs and created the ultimate planner package.  Make sure you check out this special offer!

     

    Order Yours Now!

     

    This is the most fun you will ever have with a calendar. Look up your birthday, your anniversary. Find reasons to celebrate every day with friends and family.

    Celebrate Every Day with the National Day Wall Calendar. This calendar is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! The calendar is perfect as décor in your home or office and easily helps to keep track of important dates, contacts, and other events at a glance.

     

    The 2023 Official Celebrate Every Day® National Day Calendar WALL and BOX Calendars Are NOW in Stock and shipping!  Available as supplies last.

    Order your calendars here!

    Perfect for Gift Giving!  Also great for use in businesses that are looking for marketing ideas.

    In a classic format with updated style, each of these 12″ x 24″ calendars features an opening spread with a six-month calendar to plan the last six months of the year and rev up for the new year. Filled with an abundance of holidays, each month’s grid is large enough for daily tasks and appointments. Don’t find yourself unprepared for any holiday with the National Day Wall Calendar – join in and #CelebrateEveryDay!

    • Best-selling Calendar title!
    • Printed on high-quality, FSC Certified paper.
    • Features full-color pages throughout.
    • Includes all major public and culturally significant holidays.
    • Full of unusual and unique National Days.
    • Perfect in your home, office, or anywhere.
    • Great for families, students of all ages, and professionals in any field.

    National Day Calendar™ is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! From humble beginnings on National Popcorn Day in 2013, National Day Calendar™ now tracks nearly 1,500 National Days, National Weeks and National Months. In addition, the research team continues to uncover the origins of existing National Days as well as discover new, exciting days for everyone to celebrate. Whether you want to celebrate your favorite mail carrier and flip flops, share your joy for bacon and chocolate cake or pop some corn on National Popcorn Day, stay in-the-know by signing up for e-mail updates, Facebook and Twitter.

    Don’t find yourself unprepared for National Donut Day or National Siblings Day. Join us as we #CelebrateEveryDay!

    Order your calendars here!

  • Get the Official Ornament for National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. 2023 National Day Wall and Desk Calendar giftpacks available.

    Official Ornament for National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

    You can choose to personalize the ornament as well.  Celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day (3rd Friday in December) with this real wood engraved ugly sweater ornament. We take a piece of wood, cut it, and ship it directly to you. We provide you with a hook and a piece of ribbon to hang your ornament. Imagine the surprise when someone opens this amazing gift or notices it on your tree. The person who receives this will think of you for many years, especially if you choose to have it personalized with their name. Ugly Christmas Sweater Ornament.

     

     

    Remember When Booklets are a greeting card/booklet hybrid, that include 24 pages of interesting news, facts, authentic ads, cost of living index, and much more for your special year!

    This nostalgic booklet style is popular for birthdays, reunions, anniversaries, homecomings and other special occasions. Whatever the occasion, Remember When booklets usher in and foster those deep feelings of nostalgia. Even though we live in a world that is constantly changing, memories are never left in the past.

    We have also teamed up with the 2023 Small Business Planner for Entrepreneurs and created the ultimate planner package.  Make sure you check out this special offer!

     

    Order Yours Now!

     

    This is the most fun you will ever have with a calendar. Look up your birthday, your anniversary. Find reasons to celebrate every day with friends and family.

    Celebrate Every Day with the National Day Wall Calendar. This calendar is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! The calendar is perfect as décor in your home or office and easily helps to keep track of important dates, contacts, and other events at a glance.

     

    The 2023 Official Celebrate Every Day® National Day Calendar WALL and BOX Calendars Are NOW in Stock and shipping!  Available as supplies last.

    Order your calendars here!

    Perfect for Gift Giving!  Also great for use in businesses that are looking for marketing ideas.

    In a classic format with updated style, each of these 12″ x 24″ calendars features an opening spread with a six-month calendar to plan the last six months of the year and rev up for the new year. Filled with an abundance of holidays, each month’s grid is large enough for daily tasks and appointments. Don’t find yourself unprepared for any holiday with the National Day Wall Calendar – join in and #CelebrateEveryDay!

    • Best-selling Calendar title!
    • Printed on high-quality, FSC Certified paper.
    • Features full-color pages throughout.
    • Includes all major public and culturally significant holidays.
    • Full of unusual and unique National Days.
    • Perfect in your home, office, or anywhere.
    • Great for families, students of all ages, and professionals in any field.

    National Day Calendar™ is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! From humble beginnings on National Popcorn Day in 2013, National Day Calendar™ now tracks nearly 1,500 National Days, National Weeks and National Months. In addition, the research team continues to uncover the origins of existing National Days as well as discover new, exciting days for everyone to celebrate. Whether you want to celebrate your favorite mail carrier and flip flops, share your joy for bacon and chocolate cake or pop some corn on National Popcorn Day, stay in-the-know by signing up for e-mail updates, Facebook and Twitter.

    Don’t find yourself unprepared for National Donut Day or National Siblings Day. Join us as we #CelebrateEveryDay!

    Order your calendars here!

  • Add the Remember When Booklet to your 2023 National Day Calendar order for the Ultimate Gift!

    Remember When Booklets are a greeting card/booklet hybrid, that include 24 pages of interesting news, facts, authentic ads, cost of living index, and much more for your special year!

    This nostalgic booklet style is popular for birthdays, reunions, anniversaries, homecomings and other special occasions. Whatever the occasion, Remember When booklets usher in and foster those deep feelings of nostalgia. Even though we live in a world that is constantly changing, memories are never left in the past.

    We have also teamed up with the 2023 Small Business Planner for Entrepreneurs and created the ultimate planner package.  Make sure you check out this special offer!

     

    Order Yours Now!

     

    This is the most fun you will ever have with a calendar. Look up your birthday, your anniversary. Find reasons to celebrate every day with friends and family.

    Celebrate Every Day with the National Day Wall Calendar. This calendar is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! The calendar is perfect as décor in your home or office and easily helps to keep track of important dates, contacts, and other events at a glance.

     

    The 2023 Official Celebrate Every Day® National Day Calendar WALL and BOX Calendars Are NOW in Stock and shipping!  Available as supplies last.

    Order your calendars here!

    Perfect for Gift Giving!  Also great for use in businesses that are looking for marketing ideas.

    In a classic format with updated style, each of these 12″ x 24″ calendars features an opening spread with a six-month calendar to plan the last six months of the year and rev up for the new year. Filled with an abundance of holidays, each month’s grid is large enough for daily tasks and appointments. Don’t find yourself unprepared for any holiday with the National Day Wall Calendar – join in and #CelebrateEveryDay!

    • Best-selling Calendar title!
    • Printed on high-quality, FSC Certified paper.
    • Features full-color pages throughout.
    • Includes all major public and culturally significant holidays.
    • Full of unusual and unique National Days.
    • Perfect in your home, office, or anywhere.
    • Great for families, students of all ages, and professionals in any field.

    National Day Calendar™ is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! From humble beginnings on National Popcorn Day in 2013, National Day Calendar™ now tracks nearly 1,500 National Days, National Weeks and National Months. In addition, the research team continues to uncover the origins of existing National Days as well as discover new, exciting days for everyone to celebrate. Whether you want to celebrate your favorite mail carrier and flip flops, share your joy for bacon and chocolate cake or pop some corn on National Popcorn Day, stay in-the-know by signing-up for through e-mail updates, Facebook and Twitter.

    Don’t find yourself unprepared for National Donut Day or National Siblings Day. Join us as we #CelebrateEveryDay!

    Order your calendars here!

  • Less than 100 Planners left in stock! 2023 National Day Wall Calendars and Desk Calendars are shipping.

    The 2023 Official Celebrate Every Day® National Day Calendar WALL and BOX Calendars Are NOW in Stock and shipping!  Available as supplies last.

    Order your calendars here!

    If you already placed your pre-order earlier this year – your 2023 order has been processed and has been shipped.

    Perfect for Gift Giving!  Also great for use in businesses that are looking for marketing ideas.

    We have also teamed up with the 2023 Small Business Planner for Entrepreneurs and created the ultimate planner package.  Make sure you check out this special offer!

    This is the most fun you will ever have with a calendar. Look up your birthday, your anniversary. Find reasons to celebrate every day with friends and family.

    Celebrate Every Day with the National Day Wall Calendar. This calendar is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! The calendar is perfect as décor in your home or office and easily helps to keep track of important dates, contacts, and other events at a glance.

    Order Yours Now!

    In a classic format with updated style, each of these 12″ x 24″ calendars features an opening spread with a six-month calendar to plan the last six months of the year and rev up for the new year. Filled with an abundance of holidays, each month’s grid is large enough for daily tasks and appointments. Don’t find yourself unprepared for any holiday with the National Day Wall Calendar – join in and #CelebrateEveryDay!

    • Best-selling Calendar title!
    • Printed on high-quality, FSC Certified paper.
    • Features full-color pages throughout.
    • Includes all major public and culturally significant holidays.
    • Full of unusual and unique National Days.
    • Perfect in your home, office, or anywhere.
    • Great for families, students of all ages, and professionals in any field.

    National Day Calendar™ is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! From humble beginnings on National Popcorn Day in 2013, National Day Calendar™ now tracks nearly 1,500 National Days, National Weeks and National Months. In addition, the research team continues to uncover the origins of existing National Days as well as discover new, exciting days for everyone to celebrate. Whether you want to celebrate your favorite mail carrier and flip flops, share your joy for bacon and chocolate cake or pop some corn on National Popcorn Day, stay in-the-know by signing-up for through e-mail updates, Facebook and Twitter.

    Don’t find yourself unprepared for National Donut Day or National Siblings Day. Join us as we #CelebrateEveryDay!

    Order your calendars here!

  • MEDIA ALERT | NATIONAL MERRI MUSIC DAY | OCTOBER 25

    NATIONAL MERRI MUSIC DAY | October 25

    MEDIA ALERT | NATIONAL MERRI MUSIC DAY | October 25

    October 25 celebrates National Merri Music Day to honor an innovative sound system and a music concept that began post World War II in Jamaica.

    #NationalMerriMusicDay

    On National Merri Music Day, we are celebrating the Merritone Sound System as the oldest sound system on the planet. Merritone is the only sound system founded in the original sound system era of the 1940s and 1950s that is still in operation. As the last sound standing, Merritone Music encourages music lovers around the globe to learn about the historical movement that has influenced musical genres in Jamaica and the world.

    What is a Sound System? 

    A sound system of the late 1940s and 50s is a public address apparatus with turntables attached to it for sound reinforcement and the amplification of music. Today, sound systems are still a big part of the Jamaica musical scene with many famous selectors, aka DJs.

    The original sound systems were born out of a need to bring music and entertainment to Jamaica’s working class. Before the sound systems, musical entertainment in Jamaica came from live bands. The cost associated with these events limited attendees to upper class Jamaicans and tourists. Thus, with the introduction of the sound system, contemporary music was brought to the masses. Sound systems played at house parties, lawns, and dancehalls.

    How old is Merritone Music? Originating over 55 years ago, Merritone Music turns 72 years old in 2022. Merritone sound system hails from Morant Bay, which is the capital of the parish of St. Thomas in southeastern Jamaica. Merritone’s founder, Val Blake loved Latin music and dances, such as cha cha cha, waltz, and slow love songs, which gave this sound system its distinctly identifiable music formula.

    Iconic Influence

    Merritone Music is credited for directly influencing the rise of ska, reggae, rock steady, and the present-day dancehall music culture. In fact, unlike live music where a single or a few genres of music are played, Merritone offers a variety of Jamaican mento, calypso, American R&B, and country during a session or party.

    Many musicians and producers sought out Merritone Music to play their records, such as Bob Marley and producers Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Winston ‘Niney’ Holness, and Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee, to name a few. Often, they would play songs not found on the radio. In fact, they were famous for making B-side records instant hits. This was one of the main reasons local artists flocked to Merritone Music performances. If they could  get their song played at a Merritone session, it was going to be a hit. Their influence made local artists highly successful.

    MERRI SOUNDING MUSIC

    • Learn the complete history of the Merritone Sound System.
    • Attend Merritone Sound System sessions.
    • Research Jamaican culture and history.
    • Make plans to attend a future Merritone Reunion.
    • Share and post your Merritone Music stories using #NationalMerriMusicDay.

    HISTORICAL SOUND

    National Day Calendar gives credit to Monique Blake of Merritone Music Inc. as the founder of National Merri Music Day. The day honors her grandfather Val Blake’s birthday, October 25th. Val died in 1956, leaving behind four sons, Trevor, Winston, Tyrone, and Monte. His 2 oldest sons, Trevor, and Winston took charge of the sound system after his death.

    Trevor would eventually migrate to the U.S leaving Winston and his 2 younger brothers to continue Merritone. The Blake brothers stood out as the only sound that would feature a family of DJs. While all brothers played, Winston and Monte are the two most recognized selectors. Winston was instrumental in making the Merritone sound a Jamaican national treasure and a global phenomenon.

    National Merritone Music Memories

    Winston Blake was born on November 19, 1940, to Ruthlyn and Winston St. Valentine “Val” Blake. Ruthlyn died shortly after the birth of Monte, the youngest Merritone brother. Val was left to care for his 4 sons. As a Public Works accountant and a part time Philips Electronics salesman, he searched for additional ways to support his family.

    Trevor and Winston attended school in Kingston. One day after school, while waiting at a bus stop, they heard music pumping from Mr. Chin’s Sky Rocket Sound System. They came home and urged their father to start a sound system as a means to generate extra income. In the beginning, Val resisted because sound systems were not considered socially acceptable for the middle class. Eventually, he gave in and Merritone Music was born. The sound system went on to break down the stigma of sound systems and brought music to both working and middle class people, national and international politicians, Jamaican prime ministers, world renowned musicians, and music lovers from around the world.

    Facts and Tidbits

    Merritone Music is the last ‘sound’ standing. It is the only sound system that began in the original sound system era of the 1940s and 1950s that continues to play today. In addition, it is the only sound system to play on all modern musical formats, including shellac 78 RPM, vinyl records, 8 track, cassette, CDs, and digital music.

    As many firsts in sound system, music, and Jamaican history, Merritone Music stands out as a historic presence. Always using music to unite the people of the world, Merritone has been breaking down social barriers since its creation. In the 1960s the Merritone brothers played at the University of West Indies, exposing students from middle-class families to a sound system. In the 1970s, Merritone became the first sound system to play at a world class hotel, the Sheraton in New Kingston.

    Winston sought to showcase Jamaican talent and started the Merritone VIP Talent Exposure. This show discovered some of Jamaica’s most prominent singers including the following:

    • Cynthia ‘Songbird’ Schloss
    • Beresford Hammond
    • The Tamlins
    • Jacob Miller
    • Ruddy Thomas
    • The Mighty Diamonds.

    Merritone Music began playing in New York in the late 60s, but it was not until the 70s that international tours became a mainstay. They played in US cities like Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, New York, as well as Toronto and London where Merritone fans moved to during the Great Migration. It was the first Jamaican based sound system to play internationally.

    In 1972, Winston opened the Turntable Club. It became the home of Merritone Music for the next 29 years. It was the site of the first live recording session at a night club in Jamaica featuring Dennis Brown. Entertainers like Marvin Gaye, Keith Richards, Johnny Nash, Bob Marley, and Jimmy Cliff frequented the club.

    Turntable Club is Jamaica’s longest running nightclub. In fact, in honor of its contribution to Jamaica’s musical culture, Turntable Club was designated a National Heritage site in 2018 by the Government of Jamaica.

    Awards & Commendations

    1997: The Government of Jamaica awarded Winston Blake with the Order of Distinction (OD), the highest civilian recognition, in honor of his contributions to Jamaican music.

    2000: St Thomas Municipal Council renamed Bay Mount (the original Merritone Music home site) to Blake Hill in recognition of Merritone Music’s 50th anniversary.

    2000: Reggae Canada honored Winston Blake with the Icons Award.

    2008: The United States House of Representatives 11th Congressional district honored Winston Blake for his contribution to Brooklyn, NY and its citizens.

    2008: University of West Indies, Mona School of Business held a Symposium on Merritone Sound System as one of Jamaica’s longest running family-owned businesses.

    2012: Nassau County New York honored Winston Blake for his dedicated service to the community.

    2015: International Reggae Day honors Merritone Music with a Pioneer Sound Award2017: JARIA (Jamaica Reggae Industry Association) posthumously honors Winston Blake for exceptional contribution to the reggae industry.

  • We now have a Planner Package for 2023! Plus the 2023 National Day Wall and Desk Calendars in stock and shipping.

    Order your calendars here!

    If you already placed your pre-order earlier this year – your 2023 order has been processed and has been shipped.

    Perfect for Gift Giving!  Also great for use in businesses that are looking for marketing ideas.

    We have also teamed up with the 2023 Small Business Planner for Entrepreneurs and created the ultimate planner package.  Make sure you check out this special offer!

    This is the most fun you will ever have with a calendar. Look up your birthday, your anniversary. Find reasons to celebrate every day with friends and family.

    Celebrate Every Day with the National Day Wall Calendar. This calendar is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! The calendar is perfect as décor in your home or office and easily helps to keep track of important dates, contacts, and other events at a glance.

    Order Yours Now!

    In a classic format with updated style, each of these 12″ x 24″ calendars features an opening spread with a six-month calendar to plan the last six months of the year and rev up for the new year. Filled with an abundance of holidays, each month’s grid is large enough for daily tasks and appointments. Don’t find yourself unprepared for any holiday with the National Day Wall Calendar – join in and #CelebrateEveryDay!

    • Best-selling Calendar title!
    • Printed on high-quality, FSC Certified paper.
    • Features full-color pages throughout.
    • Includes all major public and culturally significant holidays.
    • Full of unusual and unique National Days.
    • Perfect in your home, office, or anywhere.
    • Great for families, students of all ages, and professionals in any field.

    National Day Calendar™ is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! From humble beginnings on National Popcorn Day in 2013, National Day Calendar™ now tracks nearly 1,500 National Days, National Weeks and National Months. In addition, the research team continues to uncover the origins of existing National Days as well as discover new, exciting days for everyone to celebrate. Whether you want to celebrate your favorite mail carrier and flip flops, share your joy for bacon and chocolate cake or pop some corn on National Popcorn Day, stay in-the-know by signing-up for through e-mail updates, Facebook and Twitter.

    Don’t find yourself unprepared for National Donut Day or National Siblings Day. Join us as we #CelebrateEveryDay!

    Order your calendars here!