Category: February 17

• NATIONAL NO ONE EATS ALONE DAY – Changes Annually

  NATIONAL NO ONE EATS ALONE DAY

  On an early Friday in February, lunchrooms across America have accepted the mission started by National No One Eats Alone Day.

  #NoOneEatsAloneDay

  No One Eats Alone is a positive initiative from the nonprofit Beyond Differences aimed at creating a lunchtime of inclusion. Organized by students for students, middle schools across the nation look beyond differences and find ways to start conversations at lunchtime – with everyone. No one eats alone.

  That means every student in every lunchroom across the country will be eating with someone else. Students have taken up the charge to see to it that they invite other students to join them. They are making room. Filling empty seats or filling tables that were once occupied by only one student. They’re starting conversations, closing the divide, and sitting with others. And they’re getting to know people across the table. No matter their differences, no matter what, no one eats alone. 

  HOW TO OBSERVE NO ONE EATS ALONE DAY

  • Join the movement. If your school doesn’t participate, encourage them to start.
  • Create an inclusive lunchroom at your school and encourage each other to engage in positive conversations.
  • Try these ice breakers:
    • Start with a joke.
    • Offer a compliment.
    • Find something in common.
    • Ask for an opinion about an assignment.
    • Mention a movie you saw this weekend.
    • Tell a funny story about yourself.
    • Talk about the menu – especially your favorite foods.
  • Bring a card game to play.
  • Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for lessons and ideas.
  • Find out more at No One Eats Alone and use #NoOneEatsAloneDay to share on social media.

  NO ONE EATS ALONE DAY HISTORY

  National No One Eats Alone Day was piloted in 2012 by Beyond Differences in just a handful of schools in Northern California. Now, more than 2,000 schools in all 50 states participate in National No One Eats Alone Day, impacting more than 1 million students. 

  No One Eats Alone FAQ

  Q. Can anyone participate on this day?
  A. While No One Eats Alone Day was created by students for students, that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate this positive celebration into your everyday life.

  Q. Do all 50 states celebrate?
  A. Yes. Schools in all 50 states celebrate this day.

  January 26, 2018

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  National Day Calendar

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  Education & History, February 17, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle

• NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY – THIRD FRIDAY IN FEBRUARY

  NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY

  National Caregivers Day on the third Friday in February honors the healthcare professionals across the country providing long-term and hospice care.

  #NationalCaregiversDay

  Around the nation, dedicated healthcare professionals serve those who require long-term or hospice care. They provide vital services, reassuring patients and the families who care about them. Often loved ones require care we are unable to provide due to our inability physically or not having the skills or means to provide the care. Expert caregivers are trained to provide round-the-clock services in safe environments. Their care enables the family to focus on their loved one’s healing process. In hospice care, a caregiver allows the family to spend time with their loved one without worrying about medical responsibilities. 

  Caregivers deliver a variety of duties from personal care to medical services with compassion and professionalism. Their days may be long and demanding, but they provide support to those who need it most.

  The celebration recognizes caregivers who provide quality, compassionate care every day.

  HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY

  • Take time to thank a caregiver for their dedication and care of our loved ones. 
  • Give them a card of thanks. This may seem like a simple gesture, but it will mean a lot to the caregiver.
  • Let them know with a kind word of encouragement. Your recognition will inspire them to continue their quality work.
  • Tell their supervisor how much you appreciate the services. Compliments are rarely voiced. Take the time to make yours heard.
  • Employers can provide a special appreciation luncheon.
  • Use #NationalCaregiversDay to post on social media.

  NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY HISTORY

  Providers Association for Home Health & Hospice Agencies (PAHHHA) founded National Caregivers Day in 2015 to dedicate a day to caregivers everywhere. The first observance occurred in 2016. 

  In 2016, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the day to be observed on the third Friday in February annually.

  Caregivers FAQ

  Q. Are caregivers nurses?
  A. Some caregivers are nurses. However, a professional caregiver may also be a Certified Nurse Assistant or other professionals who are trained to provide a variety of services.

  Q. Is there a day to celebrate those who receive services from a caregiver?
  A. Yes. National Assisted Living Week takes place each year on the week of Grandparent’s Day.

  January 5, 2016

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  National Day Calendar

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  February 17, Health & Awareness, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle, Registrar

• NATIONAL CABBAGE DAY – February 17

  NATIONAL CABBAGE DAY

  National Cabbage Day on February 17th recognizes a delightful garden staple that provides some of the best recipes for the Celtic holidays coming up next month. It’s an excellent day to test your corned beef and cabbage skills alongside other delicious seasonal dishes. 

  #NationalCabbageDay

  From the French caboche, meaning head, cabbage comes in a variety of forms. The cabbage family is quite varied and includes Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, kohlrabi and kale. Cabbage is an ancient food with origins in Asia Minor (Turkey today) and the eastern Mediterranean.

  French explorer Jacques Cartier was the first to bring cabbage to the Americas.

  When selecting a cabbage, the head should be firm and dense. The fibrous leaves of a healthy cabbage should be shiny and crisp with no browning or bruising.

  Cabbage is versatile and can be eaten raw, steamed or sautéd.  A popular ingredient in Asian, German, Irish and Latin recipes, it’s a culturally diverse food. Having low calories (6 per leaf) makes cabbage a popular diet food as well.  It has no fat or cholesterol, is low in sodium and carbs, and is a good source of Vitamin C.

  HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CABBAGE DAY

  • Bring out your favorite cabbage recipes.
  • Wrap up pigs in a blanket or eat cabbage fresh.
  • Make some delicious soup or vegetable wraps.
  • In some areas of the country, you may be able to start planning your garden. Will you be planting cabbage this year? It’s time to decide on the variety you want to plant. Imagine all the goodness you can then make in your kitchen!
  • No matter how you celebrate, be sure to invite someone to join you. Share your delicious creations with friends and family. If you don’t have a recipe to share, we’ve found several tasty ones to try.
  • Educators, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for projects and ideas to help you Celebrate Every Day!
  • Use #NationalCabbageDay to post on social media.

  NATIONAL CABBAGE DAY HISTORY

  National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this vegetable holiday. We have yet to find the creator of the day under any cabbage leaf, newspaper article or proclamation. 

  Cabbage FAQ

  Q. Can cabbage be eaten raw?
  A. Yes. Cabbage can be eaten raw. The leaves are much denser than lettuce giving it a nice crunch. It has a peppery flavor that is also satisfying.

  Q. Do lettuce and cabbage go well together in a salad?
  A. Yes. You can combine a variety of lettuces with cabbage to make a salad.

  Q. Can I freeze cabbage?
  A. Yes. The best process is to blanch the leaves first. Once cooled, seal in an air-tight container. Frozen cabbage is best in cooked meals such as soups and casseroles.

  Q. How many calories are in cabbage?
  A. One cabbage leave contains about 6 calories.

  February 17th Celebrated History

  1827

  The U.S. Patent Office issues patent no. 4,669X to Chester Stone of Middlebury, New Haven County, Connecticut for the invention of a washing machine. The record of the patent was destroyed in the 1836 Patent Office fire at the Blodget’s Hotel. However, 61 years after Stone invented the washing machine, his son Marvin would invent the revolutionary drinking straw.

  1863

  Jean-Henry Dunant, Gustave Moynier, Théodore Maunoir, Guillaume-Henri Dufour and Louis Appia organize the humanitarian organization known as the International Red Cross

  1867

  The Suez Canal officially opens and the first ship passes through, L’Aigle, the imperial yacht of French Empress Eugenie.

  1933

  Newsweek publishes its first issue. Samuel T. Williamson served as the weekly periodical’s first editor-in-chief.

  1968

  The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opens in Springfield, Massachusetts.

  1996

  Human chess master, Garry Kasparov defeats IBM’s chess-playing computer, Deep Blue, 4 to 2.

  2007

  On the grounds of the North Dakota Capitol, 8,962 people set a record by making simultaneous snow angels.

  February 17th Celebrated Birthdays

  Raphaelle Peale – 1774

  The artist is considered the first professional still-life artist in the United States. According to the National Gallery of Art, no more than 50 of his still-life pieces remain, though he also painted portraits, as did his father Charles.

  Hilda Hewlett – 1864

  Between 1910 and 1912, Hewlett founded a flying school, became the first British woman to earn a pilot’s license, and started building planes.

  Mary Carson Breckinridge – 1881

  In 1925, the American nurse-midwife founded the Frontier Nursing Service, providing rural health services. Her efforts brought much-needed training to remote areas of the Kentucky hills and the results were successful in numerous ways.

  Hal Holbrook – 1925

  The critically acclaimed American actor earned recognition on stage and screen. Known for bringing author Mark Twain to life on Broadway in Mark Twain Tonight!, and the films Into the Wild, All the President’s Men, Lincoln and Water for Elephants.

  Lou Diamond Phillips – 1962

  The Filipino-American actor is best known for his roles in the films La Bamba, Young Guns, and Stand and Deliver. He’s also known for the television series Longmire and Prodigal Son.

  Michael Jordan – 1963

  Jordan played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association. During his career, he won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Following his NBA career, Jordan has accomplished a successful business career.

  Notable Mentions

  Aaron Montgomery Ward -1843
  Thomas J. Watson – 1874
  Daniel Whitney – 1963

  July 1, 2014

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  National Day Calendar

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  February 17, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle

• NATIONAL RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY – February 17

  NATIONAL RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY

  Each year on February 17th, National Random Acts of Kindness Day grows in popularity. It is celebrated by individuals, groups, and organizations nationwide to encourage acts of kindness.

  #RandomActsOfKindnessDay

  The movement of Random Acts of Kindness inspires people every day. As a favorite celebration for many, people everywhere are enjoying doing these acts of kindness. Not only do the acts of kindness bring joy to the receiver, but they spread positive reactions to the giver, too!    

  “I was a recipient of the kindness but more glad to be a contributor!” (Unknown)

  Our research found that the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Week. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is an internationally recognized non-profit organization founded upon the powerful belief in kindness and dedicated to providing resources and tools that encourage acts of kindness.

  In New Zealand, where this day originated, Random Acts of Kindness Day is celebrated on September 1st. However, it is also recognized by some on other days throughout the year. Nevertheless, doing random acts of kindness is something that can be done every day of the year.

  A Few Quotes of Kindness:

  • “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” (Mark Twain)
  • “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” (Aesop)
  • “Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” (Scott Adams)
  • “Kind words and actions can seem so small, but their effects are truly endless.” (Author Unknown)

  HOW TO OBSERVE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY

  • Pay for the coffee or meal of the person in front of you in line.
  • Leave a kind note for someone, no explanation is needed.
  • Share words of encouragement. You never know who might need them.
  • Put your skills to work for someone in need. For example, offer to create a résumé for someone seeking a new job.
  • Drop off a load of groceries at the local food pantry.
  • Mail a “thinking of you” card to someone you’ve not to talk to in a while.
  • Order a bouquet of flowers to be delivered to anyone in the hospital. That means, call the florist and tell them to pick a hospital or nursing home and deliver flowers to the person the front desk thinks needs it the most. It could be a sick child, an elderly person with no family, or a college student down on their luck.
  • Send a thank-you note to the local fire department, police departments, or any military personnel.
  • Just smile.
  • Share your random acts of kindness using #RandomActsOfKindnessDay to post on social media.

  NATIONAL RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY HISTORY

  Josh de Jong of New Zealand founded National Random Acts of Kindness Day.

  Kindness FAQ

  Q. What is the most important element of being kind?
  A. There are many elements to kindness such as patience, honesty, and being a good listener. However, one of the most important characteristics of a kind person is that when they do something for someone, they don’t expect anything in return.

  Q. Can kindness be learned?
  A. Yes. While some people seem to be born with a kindness gene, others develop the ability to show kindness later in life. So, kindness can be innate and learned.

  Q. How do I teach my children kindness?
  A. One way to teach children kindness is to demonstrate it in your daily life. Let them see you showing kindness to others. Include them when you volunteer or help a neighbor, and acknowledge their acts of kindness. You don’t have to reward them, but you can let them know you thought what they did was kind.

  June 11, 2014

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  National Day Calendar

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  February 17, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle