When the sun is blazing high in the sky, National Lemon Juice Day comes along just in time to bring a refreshing squeeze to just about anything. On August 29th, celebrate with a tart drop of lemon juice in your cooking, beverages, or freshen up the world around you.
#NationalLemonJuiceDay
These brightly colored sour fruits originated in the Himalayan Mountains millions of years ago. However, they have evolved since then, and today the citrus fruit is grown commercially in temperate climates. In the United States, California and Arizona produce more lemons than any other state.
Why Lemon Juice?
Why do we love lemons so much? Is it because we enjoy watching a baby’s face scrunch up at their first taste of the lemon juice? Well, we do, but that’s not the only reason. In cooking, the acid in lemon juice enhances the flavors. Add lemon juice to a salad dressing, and suddenly your salad goes from ho-hum to wow! In a sauce, the addition of lemon juice will transform it from being something that drowns a meal to something that brightens it. This one ingredient can save an entire dish.
The same applies to beverages. Lemon juice adds punch to teas, soda, and even water. But it also adds an extra level of flavor for mixed drinks. Bourbon, tequila, gin, cognac, vodka. They all have recipes that call for lemon juice, and that’s because, without it, the drink would be missing a vital element to the cocktail. Every bartender worth their salt has fresh lemons behind the bar. Alternatively, when paired with honey and a hot beverage, lemon juice soothes a sore throat and cough.
But lemon juice doesn’t stop there. No way. This powerhouse also makes us and our homes look good, too. Everything from home remedies to cleansers using lemon juice can be found on the internet. While you might not want to use fresh lemons (save those for the cooking and beverages), you can use bottled to save a few pennies. The fresh scent of lemon will also lift your mood as you brighten your pots and pans, clean your pores and windows and make your garbage disposal smell fresh again. While you’re at it, you should probably pour yourself a chilled glass of lemonade, too.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL LEMON JUICE DAY
Squeeze yourself some lemons. Reap the benefits of this refreshingly versatile fruit. There are so many ways to celebrate, too! Where will you start?
Give a baby a slice of lemon. You know you want to.
Stop by your favorite bakery for the best lemon baked goods. You know, lemon meringue pie, lemon poppy seed muffins, or lemon pound cake with a lip-puckering icing.
Try your hand at making limoncello. It takes time and patience, but it is also one very satisfying experience when done correctly. If you start now and make enough, you can give some of it away as Christmas gifts!
Celebrate the bright, beautiful freshness of lemon juice by using #NationalLemonJuiceDay on social media.
NATIONAL LEMON JUICE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues to research the origins of this lemony day. However, we’re sure whoever started the day is a bright spot on the world.
Lemon Juice FAQ
Q. When are lemons in season?
A. Most lemon trees produce fruit all year long.
Q. How many calories are in lemon juice?
A. One tablespoon of lemon juice contains 3 calories.
Q. How does lemon juice prevent fruits from browning?
A. The acid in lemon juice neutralizes an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase that causes fruit to brown.
The International Day Against Nuclear Tests on August 29th raises awareness and educates about the harmful effects of nuclear testing.
Nuclear weapons testing began in 1945. Since that time, nearly 2,000 nuclear tests have taken place. When nuclear testing first began, scientist knew very little about its harmful effects. Through the years, increasing concern and evidence points to the devastating impact of nuclear testing. From 1951 to 1973, radioactive fallout from nuclear tests is responsible for killing up to 690,000 Americans.
These deaths occurred as a result of radiation exposure. Residents living near-atomic testing sites were particularly affected. On nearby farms, cows exposed to the radiation proved to spread the contamination further. The cows’ contaminated milk traveled beyond the fallout area, endangering even more people. Those who drank contaminated milk suffered the deadly effects of radiation. Since radioactive emissions drifted into the atmosphere, many others were also put at risk.
It wasn’t until 1992 that the last U.S. nuclear weapons test took place. In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. A total of 183 countries signed the treaty. However, the United States has not yet ratified the convention. As of the 21st century, the only country believed to conduct nuclear testing is North Korea.
Even though the U.S. no longer conducts nuclear testing, many Americans still suffer. Even those exposed decades ago continue to suffer today. Conditions range may include cancer, acute radiation syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases.
HOW TO OBSERVE #DayAgainstNuclearTests
While exploring nuclear testing history, learn more about its impact. Explore its effects on plants, animals, humans, and the earth. Then, discover what you can do and what’s being done.
Books and documentaries offer ways to understand. Visit NukeWatch.org to find lists of books and films documenting the history of the nuclear era. From the dawn of the nuclear age to the Cold War and into the future, these glimpses offer a variety of perspectives.
Use #DayAgainstNuclearTests to share on social media.
INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS HISTORY
The United Nations General Assembly declared International Day Against Nuclear Tests with the adoption of resolution 64/35 on December 2, 2009. The first observance took place on August 29, 2010. Each year, conferences, exhibits, new initiatives, and media attention focus on the day.
The Republic of Kazakhstan initiated the resolution. Kazakhstan is the home of one of the world’s largest nuclear testing sites. It closed on August 29th, 1991.
According to Hoyle Day on August 29 encourages individuals to honor the rules and regulations in particular situations. It’s also a day to pay tribute to a man by the name of Edmond Hoyle, an Englishman who was thought to be the first technical writer on card games.
#AccordingToHoyleDay
Hoyle was born in 1672. At the age of 69, he began teaching a card game called Whist to wealthy high-society members in London. Whist is a game that is played by two teams of two players and requires logical skills, along with skills in mathematics. The card game was especially popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many people in the United States and all over the world still play Whist.
Along with playing and teaching the game, Hoyle wrote a manuscript on the subject. He sold this manuscript to his card-playing students. He later published his manuscript under the title, “A Short Treatise on the Game of Whist.” The rules of the card game were regarded as authoritative until 1864 when new rules were established. These new rules were eventually adopted by card-playing clubs in London and private social clubs in the United States.
Along with Whist, Hoyle wrote about the laws and strategies of hundreds of games, including Chess and Backgammon. Hoyle died on August 29, 1769, at the age of 97.
HOW TO OBSERVE ACCORDING TO HOYLE DAY
When people utter the phrase, “according to Hoyle,” it’s like saying, “according to the accepted standards.” According to Hoyle can also mean to keep doing something the way it’s normally done.
To observe this day, try working this phrase into your conversations as much as possible. For instance, if you’re teaching someone to bake a lasagna, you could say, “according to Hoyle, this is the right way to do the layers.”
Other ways to observe According to Hoyle Day include:
Play a board game, like Chess or Backgammon
Find someone who knows how to play Whist and have them teach it to you
Host a card-playing tournament
Brush up on your game-playing skills
Learn a new game, including all the rules on how to play it
ACCORDING TO HOYLE DAY HISTORY
Unfortunately, it’s not known who came up with this day to commemorate Edmond Hoyle. However, we can certainly still celebrate it in fun, game-playing, phrase-saying ways.
Get your chopsticks ready! National Chop Suey Day recognizes this American Chinese culinary cuisine each year on August 29.
#NationalChopSueyDay
Chop suey, which means assorted pieces, is a dish in American Chinese cuisine. The main ingredients include meat (chicken, fish, beef, prawns or pork) and eggs. As the meat cooks over high heat, add vegetables (usually bean sprouts, cabbage, and celery). The dish is bound in a starch-thickened sauce. Typically, rice accompanies the flavorful dish, too.
According to food historian Alan Davidson, chop suey is “A prime example of culinary mythology.” These food myths happen with popular foods. Below we illustrate several colorful and conflicting stories telling of chop suey’s possible origin.
Chop Suey Stories
Some believe chop suey was invented in America by Chinese Americans. However, anthropologist E.N. Anderson finds another conclusion. According to Anderson, the word tsap seui means miscellaneous leftovers and hails from Taishan, a district of Guangdong Province. Many early Chinese immigrants traveled from their home in Taishan to the United States.
Another account claims Chinese American cooks who were working on the transcontinental railroad invented chop suey in the 19th century.
A prime example of culinary mythology. ~ Alan Davidson on the origin of chop suey.
One tale stemming from the Quing Dynasty connects to premier Li Hongzhang’s visit in 1896. According to the story, his chef wanted to create a meal suitable for both the Chinese and American palates. Another version of the story tells that Li wandered to a local Chinese restaurant after the hotel kitchen closed. Despite feeling embarrassed because he had nothing prepared to offer, the chef made a dish for Li. Comprised of leftover scraps, the chef created the new “chop suey” dish.
Still another myth tells of an 1860s Chinese restaurant cook in San Francisco. When drunken miners arrived after hours, the chef avoided a beating thanks to some quick thinking. He threw leftovers in a wok, providing a makeshift meal to the miners. The miners loved the dish, asking him for the name of the entree. To which the chef replied, “Chopped Sui.”
Traveling to the United States in 1903, Liang Oichao, a Guangdong native, wrote that there existed a food item called chop suey. While regularly served by Chinese restaurateurs, the local Chinese people did not eat this dish.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHOP SUEY DAY
Of course, the directive of the day would be to enjoy some chop suey. But why stop there? Dive into these suggestions:
Take a cooking class and learn to make it yourself.
Pick up a Chinese American cookbook and find a new recipe.
Share your favorite chop suey recipe.
Give a shout-out to the restaurant that cooks it best. We love it when you do that!
Be sure to use #NationalChopSueyDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CHOP SUEY DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this elusive food holiday. However, one of the above origin stories places the invention on August 29, 1896.
Chop Suey FAQ
Q. Is chop suey a type of stir fry? A. Yes. Stir fry is a type of meal prepared over high heat while being stirred frequently, and chop suey is prepared this way.
Q. Can chop suey be served over noodles? A. Yes, but it is typically served over rice.
Q. Which has few calories, rice or noodles? A. Rice has fewer calories than noodles. When considering the entire chop suey dish, about half the calories come from the protein. Rice comprises about a quarter of the calories and the remaining calories come from the sauce and vegetables.
August 29th Celebrated History
1854
Bringing water to otherwise parched areas, Daniel Halladay of Connecticut invents the first commercially successful windmill in the United States. If you see an old wooden windmill on the landscape still towering over some farmland, think of Daniel Halladay.
1862
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing sets to work printing paper money for the first time due to the demands of the Civil War.
1864
Astronomer William Huggins discovers the first chemical composition of a nebula – The Cat’s Eye Nebula.
1893
Whitcomb L. Judson receives a patent for a Clasp Locker. However, he wasn’t the only one pursuing revolutionary clothing closures. Several other inventors tackled a similar design and purpose. Later known as the zipper, the inventions revolutionize how clothes go on and come off.
1889
Tom Pettitt of Boston and George Kerr of Dublin square off in the first international lawn tennis contest. The event took place following the completion of the United States National Lawn Tennis Associations Nationals Tournament in Newport, RI. Kerr claimed victory over the match with a score of 6-4, 6-1 and 6-1.
1898
Frank Seiberling of Akron, OH, establishes the Goodyear Tire & Rubbery Company.
1909
The world’s first air race is held in Reims, France. American Glenn Curtis wins the race.
Speedy Gonzalez makes his animation debut in the cartoon “Cat-Tails for Two.”
1958
Four years after being established as a separate branch of the United States Military, the Air Force Academy opens in Colorado Springs, CO.
1964
Roy Orbison releases the single “Oh, Pretty Woman” from the album Orbisongs. Over 25 years later, the film Pretty Woman, brings the song back into popularity.
1965
While orbiting the Earth in Gemini 5, Astronaut Gordon Cooper made a telephone call to aquanaut Scott Carpenter who was submerged in Sealab II. Long-distance charges may apply.
1968
The Gypsy Moths starring Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, and Gene Hackman begins showing in the United States. The film follows skydiving barnstormers through a July 4th weekend.
1985
Theaters begin showing the film Desperately Seeking Susan starring Madonna, Rosanna Arquette, and Aidan Quinn
1995
Janet Jackson releases the single “Runaway.”
1997
The DVD rental service, Netflix, launches.
2002
The biographical film Frida starring Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina and Mia Maestro shows in theaters.
2019
Sanhua Aweco creates the longest line of chopsticks in Tychy, Poland. Interestingly, he completed the achievement on National Chop Suey Day.
August 29th Celebrated Birthdays
John Locke – 1632
Considered the “father of liberalism,” the philosopher published several papers including “Enlightenment” and “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.” His theories also influenced the fledgling United States.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. – 1809
The physician was a member of the Fireside Poets alongside other great poets Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, William Cullen Bryant, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Werner Forssmann – 1904
The German physician made landmark strides in cardiac medicine when he proved a catheter could be inserted into the heart. In 1956, he along with André Cournand and Dickinson Richards were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Ingrid Bergman – 1915
The Swedish actress is best known for her roles in Casablanca, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and Murder on the Orient Express.
Otis Boykin – 1920
The inventor and engineer’s work on electrical resistors influenced the world of medicine, computers and more.
Joan Sindelar – 1931
Known for her reliable bat and slick running, Sindelar played 4 seasons in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
John McCain – 1936
John McCain served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and was a Prisoner of War for over 5 years. After his release, he entered the political arena and was elected to the United States House and later to the Senate. In 2008, he ran for president under the Republican ticket against Barack Obama.
James Brady – 1940
As White House Press Secretary under President Ronald Reagan, Brady was shot during an attempted assassination attempt on the President.
Karen Hesse – 1952
The author earned the Newbery Medal for her book Out of the Dust. She’s published numerous other young adult books including Phoenix Rising, Safekeeping and Aleutian Sparrow.
Michael Jackson – 1958
The award-winning musical artist began his career as part of the family group, Jackson Five. He would go on to produce numerous albums such as Thriller, Bad, and Invincible.
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A prime example of culinary mythology. ~ Alan Davidson on the origin of chop suey.