Category: February 04

  • NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY – First Saturday of Every Month

    NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY

    If it’s the first Saturday of the month, it’s National Play Outside Day. So, no matter what month it is, everyone put down their electronic devices and get outside!

    #PlayOutsideDay

    All year long, we are given numerous opportunities to get outside and play. But sometimes, life, responsibilities, and distractions keep us from spending time in the fresh air as we should. National Play Outside Day is a reminder to stretch our legs and expend some energy in the great outdoors.

    Benefits of Outdoor Play

    Why is playing outside so good for us? Besides getting us off the sofa or away from the desk, it also gives us an opportunity to explore our neighborhoods. While it’s impossible to list all the benefits of outdoor play, we do have a few to share.

    • Playing outdoors is a freeing activity. It frees us from routines, enclosed spaces, and frames of mind.
    • The outdoors fills us with energy. Whether it’s the fresh air, sunshine, or physical activity, we perk up and become motivated to accomplish things.
    • It clears the cobwebs from our brains. We sometimes get stuck on a topic, project, or issue and are unable to resolve it. A change of scene often brings clarity we didn’t have before.
    • Outdoor play provides terrific physical activity for our bodies. Our hearts pump fresh oxygen to our limbs and brains.
    • We experience new sights and sounds. Children get to experience the world around them.
    • As a social activity, playing outside encourages positive interactions.
    • When you play outside every month, it becomes habit-forming – and this is one good habit to have!
    • It stimulates the imagination. Outdoor play almost has no boundaries. Your yard can be a kingdom or the playground can be a mountain to scale.

    We’ve only scratched the surface of the benefits of outdoor play. There are so many more! So, be sure to get outside with the family on the first Saturday of every month – or even more often than that!

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY

    We know the seasons change, so what we were able to do outside last month will be different this month. However, that shouldn’t stop you from celebrating the day. This is your monthly reminder that it’s time to get outside and play. We have suggestions for every season that we’re sure you’ll enjoy!

    • Explore hiking trails near you.
    • Visit the local swimming pool or even take swimming lessons.
    • Check out every park in your neighborhood and climb, slide or swing on every playground set.
    • Start a game of catch, kickball, tag, or Frisbee or make up a game.
    • Go to the beach.
    • Run through the sprinkler.
    • Go camping.
    • Go fishing.
    • Fly a kite.
    • Jump in a pile of leaves.
    • Build a fort – of leaves or snow or whatever is handy.
    • Walk around the block.
    • Go for a bike ride.
    • Build a snowperson.
    • Go sledding.
    • Identify the constellations at night and look for meteors.
    • Visit your favorite state or national park.
    • Check out these 9 Fun Winter Outdoor Activities.

    What’s your favorite way to play outside? Introduce some of the games you used to play to your children. Whatever you do, be sure to get outside and play! Use #PlayOutsideDay to share on social media.

    NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY HISTORY

    In 2011, Aaron Wiggans and Rhonda D. Abeyta founded National Play Outside Day as a reminder to explore and play in the world outside. The day encourages healthful habits that will last a lifetime.

    •

    National Day Calendar

    •

    , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST DAY – First Saturday in February

    ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST DAY

    The first Saturday in February is a big treat because it’s Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! What better way to start the day than with a refreshingly sweet scoop of ice cream with your breakfast?

    #IceCreamForBreakfastDay

    Whether the sun rises over a frosty morning or a warm one, having a scoop or two of ice cream for breakfast once a year places a bright spot right in the middle of winter. The creamy goodness of chocolate or vanilla will start Saturday off right. Add some fresh fruit or sprinkle some of your favorite cereal for some crunch.

    Those who like to get creative with their ice cream might like bacon or avocado-flavored ice cream at breakfast time. How about cinnamon toast and coffee ice cream? There are so many ways to participate in this deliciously good day. All you really have to do, though, is have ice cream for breakfast.

    HOW TO OBSERVE ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST DAY

    Break out of the winter doldrums and have ice cream for breakfast. Enjoy your favorite kind or get creative and try something new. Have an ice cream breakfast party, and invite friends over to indulge with you! Use #IceCreamForBreakfastDay to share on social media.

    ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST DAY HISTORY 

    In the 1960s, Florence Rappaport of New York created Ice Cream for Breakfast Day as a way to chase away cabin fever for her six children due to a winter storm that had blown through the area. The annual celebration caught on as her children grew and shared it on their travels. Today, the day has been observed in Canada, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Israel, and more.

    Ice Cream FAQ

    Q. How many calories are in vanilla ice cream?
    A. One 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream has approximately 137 calories.

    Q. Are there other unique ice cream days on the calendar?
    A. Yes. National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day is July 1st.

    •

    National Day Calendar

    •

    , ,

  • NATIONAL HEMP DAY – February 4

    NATIONAL HEMP DAY

    On February 4th, National Hemp Day proudly weaves a celebration surrounding an industry with a long and innovative history.

    #NationalHempDay

    Did you know hemp has been a part of human civilization for thousands of years? The world’s earliest civilizations used hemp fibers to make fabric for clothing and other materials. Even America’s founding fathers drafted early documents on hemp paper. During the last century, leaders used a “Hemp for Victory” campaign during WWII to encourage farmers to grow hemp for military use. Since then, hemp has been an essential material in the innovation of several industries. For example, shipping, construction, and textiles rely on hemp for numerous products. The construction industry started using hemp in place of concrete (known as hempcrete) since it is windproof and offers a lower carbon footprint.

    The Industrial Hemp Pilot Program allowed several states to grow, cultivate, and process hemp for agricultural purposes. These programs brought thousands of new jobs to an industry that had long been considered obsolete because of the Schedule I classification of hemp (the same classification as heroin and LSD).

    In 2018, the hemp industry celebrated a massive win with the passage of the Farm Bill. Hemp – including the leaves, stalks, and stems – has since been rescheduled to a Schedule V classification, the same as OTC low-dose codeine. As a result, the growing, producing, and distribution of hemp are legal on a national level. Products made from hemp such as CBD, clothing, plastics, paint, insulation, and biofuels will now be more readily available. The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill brings massive growth potential. Some publications estimate that the hemp industry will become a multi-billion dollar industry for the United States.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HEMP DAY

    It’s easy: support your hemp farmers and research hemp-derived products. Celebrate the history of hemp and the farmers who work so hard to grow it. Check out the products they have to offer; hemp can be found anywhere, from soaps and shampoos to socks and shorts. Join other hemp supporters on social media by using the hashtag #NationalHempDay on Feb. 4th!

    NATIONAL HEMP DAY HISTORY

    cbdMD founded National Hemp Day in 2019 to celebrate the hemp plants’ illustrious past. You can visit www.cbdMD.com for more information!

    The Registrar at National Day Calendar declared National Hemp Day in 2019, and we celebrate it on February 4th, annually.

    Hemp FAQ

    Q. Is hemp legal in all 50 states?
    A. Yes. The 2018 Farm Bill was rescheduled to a Schedule V classification making the growth, production and distribution legal.

    Q. Are hemp seeds edible?
    A. Yes. Its oil is also edible and hemp can be brewed into a tea.

    •

    National Day Calendar

    •

    , , , ,

  • NATIONAL HOMEMADE SOUP DAY – February 4th

    NATIONAL HOMEMADE SOUP DAY

    February 4th heats up with National Homemade Soup Day. In every cuisine, soup provides a rich basis of flavor and history. 

    #NationalHomemadeSoupDay

    Before the era of modern transportation, soup was a product of regionally available foods. For this reason, there are thousands of soup recipes available today.

    Many soups also offer medicinal properties. What was once considered a wive’s tale, chicken soup now has the backing of the scientific community. Yes, chicken soup helps relieve the symptoms of the common cold. How? Well, scientists believe that a bowl of soup may reduce inflammation of the lungs. It is thought that chicken soup slows down the activity of white blood cells that can cause inflammation.

    But that’s not all homemade soup does. Every cook knows the most important ingredient that goes into every pot of simmering soup. They keep the ingredient stored where it will do its best work, too. As they work, they season the soup from their heart giving it just the right amount of love each and every time. Whether they add it with the noodles or the vegetable, the broth or the cream, each cook knows there’s enough to go around. That’s why homemade soup heals the best. 

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HOMEMADE SOUP DAY

    Tell us about your favorite homemade soup. Share a recipe or a memory. Gather the family to learn how to make your best recipe and share the love. Need a new recipe to add to your collection? From chowders and broths to creamy bisques, National Day Calendar® found a few recipes to give a try on National Homemade Soup Day.

    Use #NationalHomemadeSoupDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL HOMEMADE SOUP DAY HISTORY

    National Day Calendar continues searching for the origins of this warm-hearted holiday. But we’re pretty sure someone who seasoned everything with love had a hand in it. 

    Homemade Soup FAQ

    Q. What kinds of broth are used in homemade soup?
    A. Home cooks use a variety of broths for the base of their soups. Consider using vegetables, chicken, beef, pork, or other meat to create your broth. Adding milk or cream will create a creamy soup. 

    Q. Can I use store-bought broth to make a homemade soup?
    A. Yes! Though homemade broth is delicious, you can cut down some of the time and effort by using canned or box broth. 

    Q. Is making homemade broth easy?
    A. It really isn’t that difficult to make homemade broth. For example, chicken broth can be made from leftover chicken. Be sure to include the bones and vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onions for additional flavor. 

    •

    National Day Calendar

    •

    , ,

  • NATIONAL CREATE A VACUUM DAY – February 4

    NATIONAL CREATE A VACUUM DAY

    National Create A Vacuum Day on February 4th explores spaces void of matter. On this day, we are challenged to create one.

    #CreateAVacuumDay

    A vacuum is created when the pressure inside a space is lower than the pressure outside the area.

    It’s difficult in a world full of minuscule particles of matter to create a space that has absolutely no matter. However, we create partial or simple vacuums at home. One of the easiest ways is using a syringe. By plugging up the open end and pulling back on the plunger, the space inside will be mostly free of matter. There will always be microscopic particles remaining, though.

    HOW TO OBSERVE CREATE A VACUUM DAY

    Conduct an experiment using vacuums. Return to science class by watching videos that show how to create vacuums. Watch a documentary about the vacuum of space. You might learn about what creatures can survive there, too

    Use #CreateAVacuumDay to post on social media.

    Educators and families, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for more ways to Celebrate Every Day!

    NATIONAL CREATE A VACUUM DAY HISTORY

    Although we continue researching the origins of this fascinating holiday, we’re certain they’re somewhere in the vacuum of someone’s mind. 

    Vacuum FAQ

    Q. What are some ways I can create a vacuum at home?
    A. Visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for some fun ways to create a vacuum at home. 

    Q. Q. Will a straw work in space?
    A. It depends whether or not you’re in a pressurized cabin. If you are trying to suck a liquid through a straw outside of a pressurized cabin, there is no atmosphere to force the liquid up the straw. Inside a pressurized cabin, there is enough atmosphere to force the liquid up the straw.

    •

    National Day Calendar

    •

    , , ,

  • NATIONAL THANK A MAIL CARRIER DAY – February 4

    NATIONAL THANK A MAIL CARRIER DAY

    National Thank A Mail Carrier Day (also known as Thank a Mailman Day) on February 4th reminds us that someone makes sure the mail gets through 6 days a week 52 weeks a year. The day reminds us just how important mail carriers are to our daily lives. Take time out of your day to thank the mail carrier responsible for delivering your mail.  

    #ThankAMailCarrierDay

    The Pony Express riders earned a famous reputation in their short existence. Their motto was “Neither rain, or snow, nor death of night, can keep us from our duty.”  This motto is believed to be taken, in part, from a motto dating back to ancient times. The most popular variation of this motto is “Through rain or snow, or sleet or hail, we’ll carry the mail. We will not fail.”

    Fun Facts:
    • In 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Constitutional Post–the first organized mail service in America.
    • As the nation’s first Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin established many of the conventions we are accustomed to today.
    • Postage stamps were invented in 1847.
    • On April 3, 1860, the famous Pony Express officially took off.
    • In 1863, free city delivery started, and in 1896, free rural delivery began.
    • In 1963, the Zip Code began.

    National Thank a Mail Carrier Day is the perfect time to show your appreciation to your mail carrier.

    HOW TO OBSERVE THANK A MAIL CARRIER DAY

    National Thank A Mail Carrier Day gives you an opportunity to say thanks to your U.S. Postal Service carrier. One way to celebrate is with a friendly smile or a token of appreciation. Let your mail carrier know how much you value them. At National Day Calendar, we sure appreciate the service our mail carrier, Tim, provides. Thanks, Tim! Give your mail carrier a shout-out on social media using #ThankAMailCarrierDay.

    NATIONAL THANK A MAIL CARRIER DAY HISTORY

    While we continue researching the origins of National Thank a Mail Carrier Day, we promise to deliver any updates to you promptly. 

    Mail Carrier FAQ

    Q. How many mail carriers are there in the United States.
    A. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 333,570 were employed in the U.S. in 2020.

    Q. Which state has the most mail carriers?
    A. California leads the country with the most mail carriers followed by Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.

    Q. When does the mail run?
    A. Currently, U.S. mail service is provided Monday through Saturday. There are 11 holidays that the U.S. mail service does not run:

    • New Year’s Day – January 1
    • Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday – Third Monday in January
    • Washington’s Birthday (President’s Day (Third Monday in February)
    • Memorial Day – Last Monday in May
    • Independence Day – July 4
    • Labor Day – First Monday in September
    • Columbus Day – Second Monday in October
    • Veterans Day – November 11
    • Thanksgiving Day – Third Thursday in November
    • Christmas Day – December 25

    February 4th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) History

    1789

    The Electoral College is convened and casts its votes unanimously electing George Washington as the first President of the United States of America.

    1826

    Carey & Lea of Philadelphia publishes James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans.

    1932

    The first Winter Olympic Games outside Europe opens in Lake Placid, New York.

    1938

    Disney releases the animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

    1941

    Roy J. Plunkett received patent No. 2,230,654 for the non-stick material called Teflon.

    2004

    Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes launched the social networking platform called The Facebook.

    February 4th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) History
    Charles Lindbergh – 1902

    In 1927, the American aviator gained international notoriety when he became the first person to fly solo non-stop from across the Atlantic ocean. His flight in his monoplane named Spirit of St. Louis from New York to Paris earned him a prize of $25,000.

    Clyde W. Tombaugh – 1906

    In 1930, the American astronomer discovered the 9th planet in our solar system – Pluto. It would later be demoted to a dwarf planet in 2006.

    Rosa Parks – 1913

    The American civil rights activist sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat in the ‘colored section’ of the bus to a white person.

    Betty Friedan – 1921

    The noted journalist and activist co-founded the National Organization of Women in 1966.

    Honorable Mention

    Alice Cooper -1968
    Oscar De La Hoya – 1973
    Dan Quayle – 1947
    John Schuck – 1940

    •

    National Day Calendar

    •

    , , ,

There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day with National Day Calendar!

Follow Us on

Contact & Help

Business

Press

Careers

Celebration Nation

© National Day Calendar 2013 – 2023

National Day Calendar and Celebrate Every Day are registered trademarks of Zoovio, Inc. All commercial use must be approved by Zoovio, Inc.
Duplicating, plagiarizing, or falsely claiming creative ownership, printed or digital, without consent of National Day Calendar®, is considered a violation of United States copyright laws.