On the third Wednesday in April, take a bite of the fruit that also makes an excellent prop for jokes on National Banana Day!
#NationalBananaDay
The day focuses on the nutrition of the fruit as well as the way comedy has used the banana in its acts. This low-fat, low-calorie snack offers a boost of fiber, potassium, and vitamins, with B6 and C leading the way. It also provides a healthy gram of protein, too. Add a banana to your morning cereal or grab one to go with your granola. They also add so much delicious flavor to baked goods. Many bakers know that when those bananas turn brown to toss them in the freezer for baking muffins and breads later.
As far as the humor goes, anyone goes a little bananas when they slip on a peel. Or is it the peel of laughter that makes them go bananas? Hold up the banana like a phone and get your comedy routine going.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL BANANA DAY
Write a little message on a banana and tuck it into your loved one’s lunch.
Add bananas to your lunch routine. They’re inexpensive and delicious. Children and adults love them, so you just can’t go wrong.
Use #NationalBananaDay to share how you #CelebrateEveryDay on social media.
The word is still out about who created this national holiday. However, we’ve sent out several bananas to track them down.
Banana FAQ
Q. What is a group of bananas called?
A. The cluster of bananas that grow on the banana plant is called hands (together they look like fingers on a hand).
Q. Are banana plants sterile?
A. The fruit of the banana plant is sterile. However, the banana plant is able to reproduce from rhizomes beneath the soil. The parent plant dies after it produces fruit, but the rhizomes will send out corms for new plants.
Q. How many calories are in a banana?
A. A medium banana contains about 105 calories.
On April 19th, National North Dakota Day recognizes the Peace Garden State.
#NationalNorthDakotaDay
Long before Lewis and Clark traveled up the Missouri River, the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara arrived in North Dakota. During the Corps of Discovery, the team camped at Fort Mandan along the Missouri River for the winter. Here, their translators, Sacagawea and Charbonneau, joined the expedition. Sacagawea would also give birth to her son, Jean Baptiste.
As the settlement expanded, disputes over land increased. Fort Abraham Lincoln preserves the home of Gen. George and Libby Custer, the military commissary, blockhouses, and the Mandan Indian Village along the Missouri River.
Theodore Roosevelt arrived in North Dakota in 1883 and fell in love with badlands and outdoor life. He would later be elected the 26th U.S. President and served from 1901 to 1909. His love of the badlands led to his conservation and preservation efforts. The North Dakota Badlands are named Theodore Roosevelt National Park in his name.
I have always said I would not have been President had it not been for my experience in North Dakota. ~Theodore Roosevelt
In the heart of the badlands…
In the heart of the badlands, Medora came to life and today recreates the western life with entertainment in an outdoor amphitheater. Visit the Cowboy Hall of Fame and so much more in Medora.
When statehood crested the horizon, South Dakota was also in line for admission. President Benjamin Harrison signed the bills at random, and nothing was recorded indicating which bill was endorsed first. However, due to alphabetical order, North Dakota is listed as the 39th state to be admitted to the union.
Beyond historical sites, North Dakota boasts a healthy amount of scenic byways. Kayak down the Pembina Gorge or visit the International Peace Gardens. While you’re there, take a hike into the Turtle Mountains.
Camp at Devil’s Lake or tour any one of the many wineries and vineyards. Visit Sheyenne State Forest and seek out the only waterfall in the state.
Garrison Dam is the fifth largest earthen dam in the world and Lake Sakakawea‘s year-round fishing and recreation is an angler’s dream. At night, the skies reveal stars never seen before, and the Northern Lights dance with delight.
North Dakota is also where we #CelebrateEveryDay! As the home of National Day Calendar in Mandan, North Dakota, it’s our favorite place to be!
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL NORTH DAKOTA DAY
Join National Day Calendar as we seek the legendary in North Dakota.
Share where you explore and use #NationalNorthDakotaDay to post on social media.
John Baptiste Charbonneau became the youngest member of the Corps of Discovery upon his birth at Ft. Mandan. The son of Touissant Charbonneau and Sacagawea, Jean Baptiste would remain with William Clark after the expedition’s completion. Following his education, his life would shift from one adventure to another until his death at the age of 61.
As an American poet, Madeline Gleason founded the San Fransisco Poetry Guild. Gleason also created the first poetry festival in the United States in 1947. She actively encouraged aspiring poets and wrote several plays which were performed in and around San Fransisco.
Bandleader, Lawrence Welk, brought wholesome music into the family rooms for more than two decades thanks to a syndication deal. His unique brand of “Champagne Music” and family-friendly programming continues to be found on Public Broadcasting stations. Louis L’amour’s frontier novels bring to life western North Dakota and rural living. Along with short stories and poetry, his novels Hondo, Walking Drum and Last of the Breed are some of his most popular works.
Electrical engineer, Andrew Freeman’s variety of employment during the Great Depression led him to gain an enormous amount of experience. As a result, his skills helped bring electricity to rural North Dakota and heat to frozen engines during the winter months. His invention of the Freeman Headbolt Heater kept fluids from freezing and batteries from going dead in subzero temperatures.
Harold Schafer founded the Gold Seal Company in 1942. Their first product was Gold Seal Floor Wax, but their most recognizable product debuted in 1961. Mr. Bubble continues to be a popular bath product for all ages today.
Eric Sevareid began his career in radio. After being hired as a correspondent for CBS, Sevareid reported the foreign and domestic news. He covered World War II as one of “Murrow’s Boys,” and his commentaries were a feature in the 1960s.
Jazz singer, Peggy Lee, shared her Fever for music and got her big break when she began to sing for Benny Goodman. Nominated for 12 Grammys, Lee won for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for “Is That All There Is?” in 1969. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999.
Author of“Tomorrow,” My Sister Said; Tomorrow Never Came, Metha Parisien Bercier recounts her experiences and shares her heritage. The autobiographical novel describes fond memories of her childhood and then being taken from her family in the Turtle Mountains to attend government schools, something that was occurring across the nation after the Civilization Fund Act was passed.
Angie Dickinson’s career includes a string of leading roles in both television and movies. From comedies to westerns, Dickinson’s role would connect her with the Hollywood elite. Some of her most popular roles were in the movies Rio Bravo,Ocean’s 11 and Pay it Foward.
Phil Hansen played defensive end for the Buffalo Bills for nine seasons and three Super Bowl visits.
Josh Duhamel has performed in TV and film since 1999 but began his career in modeling. Repeat roles in the Transformers franchise, as well as romantic comedies and action films, keep Duhamel in demand. He also promotes his home state’s North Dakota tourism.
Travis Hafner played Major League Baseball for nine seasons as a designated hitter and first baseman. Hafner debuted with the Texas Rangers and also played for the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees.
Carson Wentz plays quarterback in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. In the 2017 season, Wentz would lead the Eagles most of the way to the Super Bowl before a season-ending injury. They would go on to win over the New England Patriots, earning both the franchise and Wentz their first Super Bowl win.
Crowned the 2018 Miss America, Cara Mund organizes the annual fashion show raising funds for Make-a-Wish Foundation. Following completion of her Miss America responsibilities, she plans to attend law school.
Gran Church, Mayville, ND – Photo Credit: Cindy Sandvick
On April 19th, National Amaretto Day recognizes a liqueur known around the world for its flavor and aroma.
#NationalAmarettoDay
In Italian, the word Amaretto means “a little bitter,” because it is made from bitter almonds or apricot kernels, or both. Makers infuse it in pure alcohol or brandy, resulting in a strong almond flavor. This traditionally Italian liqueur carries a reputation for being fragrant.
Shrouded in Secrecy and Lore
Taking us back to the 1525 Renaissance in Saronno, Italy, painter Bernardino Luini selected a young innkeeper as his model for a fresco of the Madonna of the Miracles. In gratitude for being selected, the innkeeper gave the artist a gift of her own secret blend of almond and brandy. For centuries, the family held the recipe as a closely guarded secret. However, the Di Saronno family began producing its amaretto for a broader market in the 20th century. The liqueur began appearing for sale in advertisements in the United States in the late 1940s, and the family still bottles their recipe today.
Another Amaretto tale comes from the same area of Italy. However, this story tells of a young Lazzaroni couple blessed by the Cardinal of Milan in 1718. The couple honored his visit with a unique recipe of their own, producing an amaretto cookie like no other. And this one came also came in a bottle. Of course, they also closely guarded their recipe generations. In 1851, the Lazzaroni family began selling their amaretto liqueur, and the family is still producing it today.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL AMARETTO DAY
Sip or mix up an amaretto drink.
Celebrate with an amaretto baked good. The aroma alone is quite satisfying.
Amaretto also complements coffee and citrus beverages too.
Thanks to amaretto flavor syrups you can also enjoy delicious mocktails.
Experiment with recipes or share your favorites. We even have a recipe for you to try.
Use #NationalAmarettoDay to share on social media.
NATIONAL AMARETTO DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues to research the origins of this liqueur holiday.
Amaretto FAQ
Q. Aren’t bitter almonds toxic?
A. Bitter almonds and apricot seeds do contain a poison called hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Hold up a moment if you’re thinking that the bartender is literally asking you to pick your poison. The process used to make amaretto and the use of almond extracts in many of the amarettos made today negate any traceable (read poisonous) amounts of HCN.
Q. What goes well with amaretto?
A. Amaretto is a flexible liqueur. Mix it with your creamy liqueurs and vodkas. Be creative or ask your bartender their favorite mixes. Nutty, sweet, and chocolate flavors also go well with amaretto. Or, start simply and mix it with a citrus soda.
Each year on April 19th, National Garlic Day celebrates a vegetable also known as the stinking rose. The fragrant and potent root has been seasoning dishes for thousands of years.
#NationalGarlicDay
This stinking rose is a member of the lily family. This family also includes the flavorful onions, leeks, and shallots we use in some of our favorite dishes. Garlic originated in Asia over 7,000 years ago, so it’s no surprise that cuisines worldwide incorporate it into favored recipes.
Garlic is quite versatile as illustrated by its many medicinal purposes. The mighty bulb is considered an herbal remedy for colds and may reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Modern science has also proven garlic’s antibiotic properties.
Myth and superstition reek of garlic. The most familiar one suggests that garlic wards off vampires. This same theory seemed to work on witches, werewolves, demons and other such evils one might cross. Folklore also tells us garlic grew from satan’s left footprint when he left the Garden of Eden. Greek midwives used garlic to keep evil spirits away, and courage filled Roman soldiers who consumed the bulb.
Consider our dreams and garlic too. Our dreams often have meaning and dreaming of garlic is no different. To dream about garlic in the house suggests good luck and if the dream includes eating garlic (perhaps in a pesto sauce), there might be hidden secrets. Over 300 varieties of garlic grow around the world to dream about as well!
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL GARLIC DAY
Celebrate the day by cooking a terrific meal with garlic.
Attend one of the many garlic festivals around the world.
Share your favorite recipes using garlic.
Plant garlic in your garden so you can have the freshest bulbs possible.
Share photos of delicious garlic dishes.
Add some extra garlic to your pizza, pasta, or bread.
Use #NationalGarlicDay to share on social media.
NATIONAL GARLIC DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this flavorful food holiday.
Garlic FAQ
Q. Where is the garlic capital of the world?
A. Gilroy, California claims to be the Garlic Capital of the World. Will Rogers was once quoted as saying it is “…the only place in America where you can marinate a steak just by hanging it out on a clothesline.”
Q. How do I grow garlic?
A. Garlic grows best in cooler climates because it needs to experience several weeks of col and dormancy to create new bulbs. Purchase garlic bulbs from a nursery for best results and plant them in the fall to reap the benefits the following year. Plant in well-drained, rich soil. Different varieties grow better in different climates so speak with your local nursery to determine the best garlic bulbs for your area.
Q. How long will garlic last?
A. An unpeeled clove can last up to six weeks or longer if stored in a cool, dry, dark space.
Q. Can I freeze garlic?
A. Yes. Nearly every form of garlic from the whole bulb to minced garlic can be frozen. Seal in an air-tight, freezer-safe container. For minced garlic, divide into teaspoon-sized portions and freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, place in a freezer bag.
Each year, National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day on April 19th honors the memory of those killed in the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. The Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. It remained the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001, attacks. The blast in Oklahoma City claimed the lives of 168 people, including 19 children under the age of 6, and injured more than 680 people. (https://www.history.com/topics/oklahoma-city-bombing)
#OklahomaCityBombingCommemorationDay
The day serves as a day of remembrance for those who perished and for those who were injured. If you would like to learn more about this awful day in Oklahoma, you can visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum website.
The day also honors all those who served and volunteered as part of the emergency response. Throughout the devastating event, emergency response and humanitarian aid flooded in from around the country. Donations of medical supplies, gear, food, water, and equipment supported the rescue and recovery efforts.
HOW TO OBSERVE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING COMMEMORATION DAY
Join the nation in 168 seconds of silence for the 168 people killed in the bombings.
Show support for EMS and humanitarian volunteers.
Learn more about the bombing, the memorial, and how Oklahoma City recovered in the aftermath.
Use #OklahomaCityBombingCommemorationDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING COMMEMORATION DAY HISTORY
While the day serves as a reminder of the horrible events on April 19, 1995, and of a Nation coming together, National Day Calendar has not identified the creator of this commemorative event.
Oklahoma City Bombing FAQ
Q. Was the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building rebuilt?
A. The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was replaced with a 185,000 square foot building and construction was completed in 2003.
Q. Where is the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum located?
A. The museum and memorial were built on the original footprint of the destroyed Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The Museum, reflecting pool, orchard, and plaza flank and surround the Field of Empty Chairs representing those who perished. The memorial also represents the survivors and marks a somber day in Oklahoma and American history.
Each year on April 19th, Project Laundry List works with hundreds of other organizations to sponsor National Hanging Out Day. This day encourages communities to learn about the benefits, both financially and environmentally, of using a clothesline for drying laundry. According to Project Laundry Lists’ website, clothes dryers account for an astonishing six to ten percent of residential energy consumption. Hanging your clothes out to dry also includes all these other benefits:
You will reduce your carbon footprint.
You will save money.
The fresh air and sunshine recharge our bodies in therapeutic ways.
Clothes dried on a clothesline have a natural freshness.
It encourages us to slow down.
#NationalHangingOutDay
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HANING OUT DAY
Hang your freshly washed clothes out to dry.
Install a clothesline.
Try sleeping in sun and air-dried sheets—it’s amazingly refreshing!
Share pictures of your clothes drying on the line.
Post tips, tools, and tricks to hanging clothes.
Join the conversation by using #NationalHangingOutDay on social media.
Since 1995, Project Laundry List and several other organizations have sponsored National Hanging Out Day. Project Laundry List is a New Hampshire-based group encouraging outdoor drying of clothes, “making air-drying laundry and cold-water washing acceptable and desirable as simple and effective ways to save energy,” as quoted from their mission statement.
Hanging Out FAQ
Q. Did you hear that Velveeta created a hangout called the Clothesline?
A. Yes. It’s made from string cheese.
Q. Did you hear about the dish soap made for washing clothes?
A. Yes. The partnership just dawned on them.
Q. Did you know that in Ireland, they hang their clotheslines across streams?
A. Yes. They call it “Irish String.”
April 19th Celebrated History
1775
The American Revolution begins.
1897
J.J. McDermott wins the first Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 10 seconds. The Boston Athletic Association hosted the race from Ashland to Boston and other games at Irvington Oval. Fifteen runners competed in the race.
1924
WLS-AM in Chicago begins airing National Barn Dance. The radio show broadcast for 36 years. In 1925, George D. Hay created a similar radio show at WSM-AM in Nashville, Tennessee, called WSM Barn Dance. Within two years, he renamed it the Grand Ole Opry, which still airs today.
1967
K.V. Switzer ran the Boston Marathon in 1967 and completed the race in four hours forty-four minutes thirty-one seconds. She was the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon, though, at the time, women weren’t allowed to race.
1995
More than 500 people were injured, and 168 people lost their lives in a domestic terrorist attack of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
April 19th Celebrated Birthdays
Sarah Bagley – 1806
As a young mill worker became an early advocate for factory workers. She advocated 10-hour workdays and better working conditions in the mills. In 1846, Bagley made history when she became the first female telegraph operator.
Lucretia Garfield – 1832
The 21st First Lady of the United States served a short six months in the White House. In July, an assassin shot President James Garfield. As his death came a slow two months later, the First Lady was by his side.
Eliot Ness – 1903
During the Prohibition Era, Eliot Ness became known for his law enforcement efforts to fight organized crime syndicates in Chicago. He created a team called “The Untouchables” tasked with the arrest and conviction of Al Capone.
Susan Polgar – 1969
The Hungarian-born chess player earned tope FIDE raking at the age of 15. She is only the third woman in the world to be awarded the title of Grandmaster.
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