Category: Invention

  • NATIONAL SPRAY TANNING DAY | Third Thursday in March

    NATIONAL SPRAY TANNING DAY | Third Thursday in March

    Get your glow on and celebrate National Spray Tanning Day on the third Thursday in March by getting a fresh spray tan!

    #NationalSprayTanningDay

    After the winter, our skin can be dull and dry. Today on National Spray Tanning Day, prepare to glow all spring and summer with a natural spray tan. In fact, spray tanning is a great way to achieve a healthy head-to-toe glow and is customizable for any skin tone.

    There are two types of spray tanning. The first uses an automated spray booth. The second uses a professional spray tan artist creating an air-brushed glow using a handheld spray machine. Both options allow for a customizable and desirable color that compliments all skin tones. In addition, both types of spray tanning involve being sprayed with a liquid solution that contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA).

    Dihydroxyacetone is a naturally derived and fermented active ingredient that reacts with your skin to mimic a tan for a temporary amount of time. After getting a spray tan, it’s important to leave the solution on your skin for between four and 24 hours, rinsing when you have achieved your desired color. A spray tan:

    • Provides a sun-kissed glow in just minutes.
    • Evens out uneven skin complexion.
    • Gives skin a more toned appearance.
    • Boosts confidence.
    • Can be customized based on your preferences.
    • Contains vitamins to lock moisture into skin.
    • Gives an even and streak-free tan.
    • Offers an option for tan lines.
    • Includes optional scents based on your preferences.

    Tantalizing Benefits

    There are many benefits to spray tanning. Not only can you achieve a sun-kissed look in just minutes, spray tanning also gives you a major confidence boost! The average spray tan, whether it be in an automatic booth or by a professional spray tan artist, takes about 5 minutes. For most people, when taking the route of traditional sun tanning, it can take hours or days to begin seeing a sun-kissed glow. Sadly, many people receive a sunburn instead of a tan when choosing the traditional sun tanning.

    How Do You Prepare for a Spray Tan?

    Preparing for a spray tan can help to elevate your overall experience. To get the most natural looking and long-lasting tan, be sure to:

    • Shower, exfoliate, and shave/wax 24-28 hours before your session.
    • Arrive for your appointment with clean skin. Do not apply moisturizers, deodorant, oils, or make-up before your appointment.
    • Wear loose-fitting, dark colored clothing to prevent bronzer transfer.
    • Schedule your manicure and/or pedicure appointments prior to your spray tan appointment, so that your tan does not fade prematurely.
    • Bring a rain jacket if there is a chance of rain to protect your tan while it is developing.
    • Avoid rinsing or getting wet for a minimum of 4 hours. You can leave your tan on for up to 24 hours before rinsing.

    Post Spray Tan Tips

    Your post-spray tan care is just as important as the preparation! Be sure to keep in mind the following tips to help your tan last as long as possible:

    • Rinse your spray tan with warm water and minimal soap/scrubbing.
    • Pat dry after rinsing your tan instead of wiping off moisture.
    • Apply moisturizer after your shower and then daily to extend your tan.
    • Avoid swimming/bathing for the first 24 hours after your spray tan.
    • Use self-tanners to help extend the length of your tan.

    SKIN GLOW CELEBRATION

    • Make an appointment for a spray tan at a location near you.
    • Flaunt your favorite outfit to wear once your spray tan is fully developed and rinsed.
    • Encourage your friends and family to utilize spray tanning as a healthy way to glow.
    • Share photos of your spray tan on social media using the hashtag #NationalSprayTanningDay.
    • Be on the lookout for giveaways, promotions, and events nationwide surrounding National Spray Tanning Day by following @mystictan, @versaspa, and @norvellsunless on Instagram.

    ABOUT #NationalSprayTanningDay

    National Day Calendar designated National Spray Tanning Day on behalf of Sunless, Inc. brands Mystic Tan, Norvell, and VersaSpa in 2022, to be celebrated on the third Thursday in March each year. National Spray Tanning Day encourages people to safely enhance their skin with a natural-looking glow!

    Sunless, Inc. is the leading industry authority in the sunless tanning industry with over 30 years of experience. The company offers sunless tanning technology alternatives such as spray tanning and self-tanning products in the place of harmful UV rays. Sunless, Inc. creates the best of the best when it comes to spray tanning booths, equipment, and solutions. The advanced spray technology delivers streak-free and natural-looking tans every time.

    With decades of experience, Sunless, Inc. creates the best of the best when it comes to spray tanning equipment, solutions, and self-tanners. The brands Mystic Tan, Norvell, and VersaSpa are iconic among frequent spray tan users.

    You can instantly locate a salon that provides spray tans by Mystic Tan, VersaSpa, or Norvell by using their salon locator.

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    Amy

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  • NATIONAL CAREER COACH DAY | January 8

    NATIONAL CAREER COACH DAY | January 8

    Each year on January 8 we celebrate National Career Coach Day and recognize the important work of career coaches across the United States.

    #NationalCareerCoachDay

    Today, we bring awareness to the impact career coaches have on their clients’ career paths and future potential. Not only are career coaches helping shape the future of the workplace, they are also helping people find fulfilling careers they deserve. On National Career Coach Day, we bring comradery to the profession, give coaches a day to come together, and create a space to celebrate all of the  accomplishments made during the process.

    What is a career coach? Career coaches are expert professionals who are up-to-date on current employment and hiring practices. These individuals wear specialized hats in helping people plan careers, create dynamic resumes, teach interview and wage negotiation skills, and guide you through the process of landing an amazing career. Most importantly, a career coach will work hard to help you accomplish your career goals.

    Why would I need a career coach? People choose to work with a career coach for a variety of reasons. Your current job situation may not bring you enjoyment or you might feel you are on the wrong career path. A career coach will help you understand your potential by learning about your past experiences and guide you towards a happier life.

    Choosing a Career Coach

    • Decide what type of career coach you want to hire. Like any profession, some career coaches specialize in specific areas. Make sure your decision is the best fit for you.
    • Narrow down the services you will need before hiring a career coach. This avoids paying for unnecessary services.
    • Interview career coaches to determine if they are a good fit for you. Personality plays an important roll when working together. Choose someone that you “click” with and will provide you the best value.
    • Check references your career coach provides. Verify training, certification, and clients.

    Benefits of a Career Coach

    Career coaches are in high demand in today’s business world. In fact, the career coaching profession is growing at rapid rate and is quickly reaching a $20 million dollar industry. Previously thought of as a service available for the wealthy, career coaching is now affordable to everyone.

    The career coach industry has expanded into the business sector, too. Companies are employing career coaches full time for a variety of services, such as:

    • Reviewing applications for specific job skills for potential employees.
    • Preparing correspondence and inquiries for employers.
    • Working with current employees to increase productivity.
    • Improving and updating personal goals company-wide.
    • Encouraging and inspiring employees to keep moral high.

    SUPPORT CAREER COACHES

    • Host a career coach summit.
    • Provide free resources or tools to perspective clients.
    • Make referrals to a career coach who has helped you.
    • Become a career coach.
    • Send a thank you card to your career coach thanking them for helping you find your dream job.
    • Support your career coach by sharing their services with friends and family.
    • Recognize and share your experiences with a career coach and use #NationalCareerCoachDay on social media.

    FOUNDER

    Career Benders and National Day Calendar are excited to announce the newly established National Career Coach Day. Beginning in 2023, this new National Day will be celebrated on January 8, and each year after. Join us as we recognize the important work career coaches provide to people across the country.

    Dream Big

    Founder of Career Benders, Angie M. Callen, is a Carnegie Mellon University graduate with a degree in Civil Engineering. In 2008, after working over six years as an engineer, she set out to pursue a career move into a more creative, communicative environment. After an unexpected career change journey, which included more  than four years as a nonprofit executive, Angie set out to create a business of her own. 

    Angie has always been told she had a gift for seeing others’ strengths, and after making career choices that led to professional gratitude and fulfillment, she set out on a mission to do the same for others. She also has a gift for helping people leverage their strengths to build confidence, overcome career trauma, achieve a level-up, and navigate the chaotic world of job searching. Through her work at Career Benders, Angie is helping people find new careers, improve management skills, move into leadership, and even start businesses.

    Achieving your dreams and creating a career path that supports your personal and professional goals is possible. The sky is the limit, and we’re #inspiringconfidentprofessionals one client at a time.

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    Amy

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  • NATIONAL CRYPTOCURRENCY MONTH | October

    NATIONAL CRYPTOCURRENCY MONTH | October

    The entire month of October is a celebration of cryptocurrencies and the cultivation of new economic growth opportunities they bring.

    #CryptocurrencyMonth

    Cyptocurrency is a class of digital currencies that exist outside the governance of any one country’s economy or government. While fiat currency is a system of money used and accepted in a particular country, cryptocurrencies are digital coins and tokens, minted electronically on a blockchain using cryptography. Cryptography is the science of protecting data by transforming it into a secure format.

    How does cryptocurrency work? All cryptocurrencies run and operate on something called blockchain. A blockchain is a record of transactions updated and held by currency holders that cannot be altered, deleted, or destroyed. Each transaction also affects succeeding transactions, which makes tampering with a previous transaction virtually impossible. This visibility establishes trust, accountability, and transparency.

    Can you buy things with cryptocurrency? Absolutely. Many cryptocurrency platforms allow you to use your digital funds to purchase items. For example, Expedia allows you to book a vacation for a small fee. Retailers are beginning to allow payment of goods using cryptocurrency. If you have a large amount of cryptocurrency in your digital wallet, you might be able to secure a home loan using your currency as collateral. Of course not everyone takes cryptocurrency as payment, but if you have PayPal, you can use your currency to pay for goods through their new service Checkout With Crypto.

    Crypto Facts

    • The first cryptocurrency purchase of a physical product was in 2010 for two pizzas.
    • A man in Wales accidently threw out his hard drive containing 7,500 Bitcoin (now worth millions) and is appealing to his local city council to excavate the landfill it ended up in.
    • It’s virtually impossible to ban cryptocurrency, but many countries have implemented strict regulations on exchanges.
    • In 2018, someone bought a CryptoKitty Dragon for 600 Ethereum valuing at $170,000. Amazingly, that same CryptoKitty now has a value of $1.5 million.
    • There are there more than 9,500 cryptocurrencies in existence today.

    There are thousands of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and others. The value of these assets is largely determined by how much people invest in them, and they hold the same value everywhere in the world.

    Top 3 Cryptocurrencies

    1. Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency in the digital world making it’s debut in 2008 and still holding the #1 spot in cryptocurrency. Money transfer occurs through the bitcoin network of registered users. All transactions are verified and authenticated by nodes and recorded on the blockchain.
    2. Ethereum is the second largest open-source blockchain with a large variety of financial services. According to Ethereum.org, “While Bitcoin is only a payment network, Ethereum is more like a marketplace of financial services, games, social networks and other apps that respect your privacy and cannot censor you.”
    3. Tether is the largest stablecoin in cryptocurrency.
    4. Stablecoins differ from other cryptocurrencies in that their value is “pegged” to a particular fiat currency (for example, the US Dollar), so its value is as stable as the asset it’s pegged to. Tether and other stablecoins are used for lending and converting one crypto to another.

    ENGAGE IN THE CRYPTOCURRENCY WORLD

    • Take a class to learn about cryptocurrency.
    • Invest in cryptocurrency.
    • Learn the history of cryptocurrency, including who is credited with being the “founder” of this digital currency.
    • Teach a class to beginners if you are an expert cryptocurrency user.
    • Share #NationalCryptocurrencyMonth on social media.

    DIGITAL MONEY HISTORY

    In 2022, Guy Gotslak from My Digital Money and National Day Calendar created National Cryptocurrency Month to be celebrated each year the entire month of October. My Digital Money allows customers to invest cash or part of a self-directed IRA into cryptocurrency.

    The first mention of cryptocurrency appears in 1983 by David Chaum. After introducing his concept of encrypted electronic money in a conference paper, Chum began to develop a proto-cryptocurrency named Digicash. Using key encryption to withdraw money from a bank, Chaum successfully transferred money to a recipient without using a financial institution.

    In 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto (not his/her real name) introduced Bitcoin and information on how to operate it using blockchain technology. However, it is know Nakamoto would make reference to current economic conditions involving financial institutions, including bank bailouts. In fact, a headline in The Times ran announcing a new method to exchange currency without financial institution involvement. 

    Early exchanges of currency made a lot of money for people and their investments. Unfortunately, that money was sometimes associated with illegal activity, such as drug sales, prostitution, and theft. Luckily, like all technology, knowledge increases resulting in substantial improvements. Today, anyone can use cryptocurrency to secure their own financial portfolio.

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    Amy

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  • NATIONAL WHOLE HOG BARBECUE DAY | Third Saturday in October

    NATIONAL WHOLE HOG BARBECUE DAY | Third Saturday in October

    The third Saturday in October is National Whole Hog Barbecue Day and we invite you to indulge in one of the South’s most revered traditions.

    #WholeHogBarbecueDay

    Wood smoke and smoldering charcoal are a sign of the season. Traditionally cooked over wood and charcoal, whole-hog barbecue uses the whole pig, everything from the nose to the tail. Every year, pitmasters and barbecue lovers from all over the Southeast celebrate National Whole Hog Barbecue Day coinciding with North Carolina’s historic State Fair in October.

    The tradition of whole-hog barbecue started in Eastern North Carolina and dates back over 350 years to the first settlers in the region. Although barbecue lovers may disagree on the best type of barbecue sauce for their pork, everyone agrees that vinegar-based chopped whole-hog barbecue is where it all began.

    Smoking a whole hog takes anywhere between 10-12 hours, and requires attention to keep it smoky and cooking at a consistently low temperature. As long as you have a pit, hard-wood charcoal with oak or hickory, plenty of time and something brown to drink, you can create this delicious Southern delight. Whether you have a homemade brick pit or a custom-made steel fire box, the trick is to keep the cooking temperature steady and low. However you decide to smoke your hog, extra help is always appreciated to do the heavy lifting, including flipping the pig a few hours into the cooking process.

    Seasoned Hog Tips

    Seasoning your whole hog depends on your preferences. But traditionalists will lightly salt the pig before cooking, and after flipping use their own special blend of vinegar-based sauce with salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Many pitmasters use plenty of sauce throughout the cooking process to keep the hog moist and juicy as the hog renders down in the last few hours of cooking. The more the better!

    What is a pitmaster? Technically, a pitmaster is someone who oversees cooking done in a barbecue pit. But, a pitmaster is more than that. A pitmaster is considered an expert in the field of barbecue. They control the temperature, along with the flavor output of the meat. Most importantly, they make sure the barbecue is kept tender during the cooking process. At the end, during the chopping, they taste and add dry seasoning and sauce to make the perfect-tasting barbecue.

    Famous Pitmasters

    • Kiki Longo
    • Max Lavoie
    • Aaron Franklin
    • Greg Hatem
    • Myron Mixon
    • Rob Rainford
    • Ted Reader
    • Steven Raichlen

    SMOKIN’ FUN

    • Gather your recipes and get cooking!
    • Host a pig pickin’ with whole-hog barbecue or attend a festival where you can taste some of the best in the country.
    • Give a shout-out to the best pitmasters out there.
    • Let us know if you like your barbecue sauce sweet, spicy, or both?
    • Attend a whole hog barbecue competition.
    • Attend the North Carolina State Fair.
    • Share and post your #WholeHogBarbecueDay celebrations on social media.

    NATIONAL WHOLE HOG BARBECUE DAY HISTORY

    In 2022,The Pit Authentic Barbecue in Raleigh, North Carolina, founded National Whole Hog Barbecue Day to celebrate the traditions and history associated with whole hog barbecue. Each year during the third Saturday in October, we recommend everyone find some place to host or attend a whole hog barbecue celebration.

    The tradition started in 1980 in Halifax County, North Carolina, when friends reunited at the Roanoke River for a pig pickin’. Then in 1983, the tradition moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where friends gathered again during the third weekend in October to go to the N.C. State Fair and celebrate the fall harvest with whole-hog barbecue. The festivities moved to downtown Raleigh in 2007 with the opening of The Pit Authentic Barbecue, which has been serving whole-hog barbecue ever since. The restaurant opened for guests in Raleigh who didn’t have time to drive into Eastern North Carolina to get their taste of whole-hog barbecue.

    Whole-hog barbecue is such an important part of North Carolina’s culinary heritage, in 1985, the North Carolina Pork Council organized and sanctioned the first Whole Hog Barbecue Championship. It has become the culmination of the Whole Hog Barbecue Series local competitions across the region. The chefs who qualify in the local events come together to duke it out for the title of Champion. 

    Many people across the country consider grilling to be barbecue. However, if you ask any North Carolinian, barbecue has always been referred to as pork. Since the early settlers in the 1500s, pork has been the king of barbecue. In fact, there is historical evidence showing natives of the West Indies roasting meat over wood coals. It wasn’t until the 1600s the technique of cooking barbecue became adapted by everyone in the South. Even George Washington loved a good pig pickin’, journaling about going to a “barbicue” near Halifax, North Carolina, in the 1790s.

    The Great Debate

    There is a great debate about barbecue sauce. The eastern parts of North Carolina lean towards a clear sauce made with vinegar, salt and crushed red pepper. The western parts of North Carolina add sugar and ketchup to their sauce, creating a light red sauce.

    Developed in the late 1600s, vinegar sauce was born out of convenience. Colonists would use ingredients available to them to make their barbecue sauce, which was also used to preserve the meat. Unfortunately, tomatoes were thought to be poisonous so using them was not an option. It wasn’t until around the early 1800s tomatoes were finally considered to be safe to eat, which was about the time settlers came down to Western North Carolina and started adding tomatoes and brown sugar to the vinegar-based sauce. In addition, unlike their Eastern North Carolina neighbors, they would cook only the shoulder of the hog, not the entire pig. As for our barbecue brethren in South Carolina, they added mustard to their whole-hog barbecue sauce.

    Today, depending on where you live in North Carolina, barbecue sauce changes slightly. There could possibly be hundreds or thousands of sauces with different spices. Subtle differences in sauce occur about every 50 miles within the state. Interestingly, North Carolina also has a debate on how you should eat barbecue. Some like it chopped, while others like it pulled. But everyone enjoys pulling right off the pig in a traditional pig pickin’.

    DATES
    15 October 2022
    21 October 2023
    19 October 2024
    18 October 2025
    17 October 2026
    16 October 2027
    21 October 2028
    20 October 2029
    19 October 2030
    18 October 2031
    16 October 2032

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  • STAR TREK DAY | September 8

    STAR TREK DAY | September 8

    Fans across the globe celebrate Star Trek Day on September 8 to remember the timeless legacy Star Trek has made on society and pop culture.

    #StarTrekDay

    On September 8, 1966, a television series pilot known as Star Trek was introduced on American television. Aiming for an adult audience, this was the was the first time a scientific fiction series would explore morality through scientific narratives. Most movies or television shows would contain science but would often create conflict of suffering and injustice to solve problems. However, Star Trek was different. The series would put actors in the forefront making scientific arguments, while providing peaceful solutions to problems without using violence.

    What was the first episode of Star Trek? In a galaxy far, far away “The Man Trap” aired as the pilot episode for Star Trek: The Original Series. Creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision to successfully deliver a storyline of intergalactic drama full of diversity, acceptance and hope became a reality on todays date. Though the series intention was to be a fictional story, Star Trek would become a futuristic franchise, showcasing humans living in harmony with space and Earth.

    The Starship Enterprise

    The original cast of the Star Trek series was one of the most diverse looking characters ever seen on television at the time. The main crew consisted of:

    • Ship Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner)
    • First Officer and Science Officer Spock (Leonard Nimoy)
    • Chief Medical Officer: Leonard H. “Bones” McCoy (DeForest Kelly)
    • Opening Credits Narrator: William Shatner

    Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before. ~ William Shatner

    LIFT OFF

    • Watch the original Star Trek pilot series.
    • Host a Star Trek Marathon with your friends and family.
    • Dress up in your favorite Star Trek character and host a Treki party.
    • Learn Klingon (the official Star Trek language).
    • Find a Star Trek convention and attend.
    • Introduce Star Trek to a new generation.
    • Post your Star Trek moments on social media and tag #StarTrekDay.

    EARTHING CONTRIBUTIONS

    For 56 years, Star Trek has been captivating audiences across the world. Now considered one of the most successful franchise, the legacy of the original series continues to greet millions of fans. In 2022, Paramount+ is paying special tribute to fans by hosting a variety of celebrations honoring Star Trek through the years.

    Future Events

    For more information visit the Star Trek Day website.

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  • NATIONAL REAL SUGAR DAY | October 14

    NATIONAL REAL SUGAR DAY | October 14

    October 14 is National Real Sugar Day and we celebrate the people who harvest sugar crops and learn about it’s origins. We also learn how to balance a healthy diet, while enjoying enjoy food made with real sugar.

    #NationalRealSugarDay

    Today, we dedicate the entire day to celebrating the gold standard of sweetness on National Real Sugar Day. In a March 2021 survey, 1,500 U.S. consumers were asked to name any ingredients that makes food or beverages more enjoyable to eat or drink. Of course, sugar came in as the number one ingredient. Not only does real sugar provide our food with amazing flavor, aroma, color, and texture, it is also available to anyone who wants to make their life a little sweeter.

    The real sugar we stock in our pantries and use in many of our favorite recipes is grown by sugar beet and sugar cane farmers across the United States. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that provides energy when you need it. In fact, glucose is the building block of most carbohydrates and is a key fuel source for the body. In addition, real sugar is essential for the brain, muscles, and other organs to property function.

    Real Sweetness

    What is real sugar? Real sugar comes from sugar beets and sugar cane plants through photosynthesis. After harvest, sugar plants are taken to facilities to extract and package the sugar for use in our kitchens. In addition, sugar plants also contain molasses, which is found naturally in the sugar plants. When molasses is washed away from the real sugar, the result is brown sugar. Interestingly, when you leave the molasses on the sugar plants, the result is also brown sugar.

     “A healthy dietary pattern limits added sugars to less than 10 percent of calories per day.” ~Dietary Guidelines for Americans

    How much sugar can you consume? A healthy lifestyle is about maintaining a balanced diet, which includes proper physical activity and avoiding anything in excess. A healthy balance means being able to enjoy real sugar in nutritious foods, and occasionally sweets and treats.

    A SWEET CELEBRATION

    • Bake or cook something with real sugar and share with your family and friends.
    • Visit a sugar beet or sugar cane harvest to learn how sugar cane is processed. 
    • Share your favorite sweet recipe.
    • Host a baking day with your friends to make all of your favorite sweet treats.
    • Teach your class about where real sugar comes from.
    • Identify the closest state to you where sugar is grown.
    • Share your real sugar creations on social media by posting photos and tagging #NationalRealSugarDay.

    MEET THE FOUNDER

    In 2022, National Day Calendar welcomed the Sugar Association, Inc. to the National Day Calendar Founder Family. National Real Sugar Day was born to be celebrated each year on October 14. 

    The Sugar Association consists of 14 member companies across 17 states that proudly grow, extract, and deliver the real sugar to the American public.

    The Sweet History of Sugar

    Sugar has been around for thousands of years and is one of the oldest commodities in the world. In fact, early documentation about domestication of sugar cane dates back to 8000 BC in Papua New Guinea. According to records, the indigenous people would chew on it raw. From there, it spread across the globe. 

    Sugar was crystallized in India for the first time around 350 CE. During this time, sugar was used to treat indigestion and stomach ailments by both Roman and Greek civilizations. Between 640-900 CE, the Chinese began developing cultivation techniques to grow and harvest sugar. However, the export of sugar would not reach Europe until around 1101 CE.

    A Growing Industry

    As the sugar industry grew, so did the invention of sugar cane presses to extract sugar more easily. In 1550, over 3,000 sugar mills were open in the Caribbean and South America. By 1751, sugar cane would enter Louisiana, making it the final sugar colony in the U.S. However, the discovery of beet sugar by German chemist Andreas Marggraf in 1747 would not reach the U.S. for another 100 years.

    In 1890, the first commercial sugar beet factories would open in the U.S. Interestingly, the mechanization of sugar cane cultivation began when 16 whole stalk harvesters were successfully used to harvest cane in Louisiana in 1938. Around 1946, machines would cut over 63% of the sugar crop in Louisiana.

    Today, real sugar grows from coast to coast and border to border of the United States. In fact, sugar cane is grown in three states: Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. In addition, 11 states grow beats: California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. While it was once so valuable that people kept it locked in a sugar safe, advancements in extracting sugar from plants have made this versatile ingredient available to everyone. 

    Follow Sugar Association, Inc. on all of their social media platforms.

    Facebook IconTwitter iconInstagram Icon

     

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  • NATIONAL CINEMA DAY | September 3

    NATIONAL CINEMA DAY | September 3

    On September 3 National Cinema Day celebrates movie lovers across the country and encourages them to return to the theatre and enjoy a movie on the big screen. 

     #NationalCinemaDay 

    We all have memories of going to the movie theater. The excitement we felt waiting in anticipation for our favorite movie star to appear on the screen was exciting. No movie was complete without a box of fresh buttered popcorn and our favorite drink in hand. If we were lucky, we were able to get some candy, too. On National Cinema Day, everyone is encouraged to go to a movie and relive that special feeling of seeing your favorite movie star on the big screen. 

    Behind the Scenes 

    Movies have been around since the late 1800s. Louis Le Prince receives credit for coming up with the idea of moving images on a screen. His Praxinoscope invention was a single-lens camera that had the ability to take 12 frames per second. Le Prince was in the process of patenting his invention when he was killed by an unknown person. Even though he met his demise, Le Prince was the inspiration for an industry that awes us just as much as the original movies did.  

    Who invented motion pictures? Thomas Edison receives the credit for inventing the first device to show a motion picture. In fact, Edison would be the first to commercially sell his kinetoscope invention even though he was skeptical about his idea. Interestingly, the device would be used in public kinetoscope parlors for public view. By 1915, small theaters were set up in storefronts to view a motion picture known as nickelodeons.

    5 Early Motion Pictures

    • 1891 – Dickson Greeting
    • 1893 – Blacksmith Scene
    • 1895 – The Execution of Mary Stuart
    • 1896 – Le Manoir du diable (The House of the Devil)
    • 1902 – A Trip to the Moon (1902)

    Motion pictures have come a long way since the beginning. As technology has improved, so has the production of what we view on the screen. During the early years of movie production, the audience was awed by the ability to view moving people on the screen. Movies were in black and white and had no sound. Most of the time, live music was playing within a theater as the film moved on the screen. Today, movie goers expect to see amazing graphics, realistic stunts, and hear astounding music scores.

    CINEMA CELEBRATIONS

    THROUGH THE LENSE

    This celebration is being promoted by The National Association of Theater Owners and The Cinema Foundation to encourage people to head to the theater. The foundation is offering special pricing of $3 movies at participating theaters as a way to celebrate today.  If you would like more information about a participating theater in your area, visit www.nationalcinemaday.org.

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    Amy

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  • NATIONAL SMARTIES DAY | October 2

    NATIONAL SMARTIES® DAY | October 2

    National Smarties Day on October 2 celebrates the sweet legacy of an iconic candy and the smarty pants people who never stop learning.

    #NationalSmartiesDay

    Smarties have been around since 1949. That’s over 70 years of celebrating this sweet candy wafer roll. In honor of National Smarties Day, we invite everyone to take a walk down memory lane and enjoy this nostalgic candy. If you’ve never tried Smarties, this is your chance to become a new member of the smarty pants club.

    What are Smarties? Smarties are rolls of a small pastel colored candy tablets that are sweet and a little bit sour. Unlike most candy, Smarties have only 6 ingredients, too. There are six different flavors in a Smarties package. Flavors are randomly mixed together for each individual Smarties roll.

    Smarties Original Flavor Lineup

    • White = Orange cream
    • Yellow = Pineapple
    • Pink = Cherry
    • Green = Strawberry
    • Purple = Grape
    • Orange = Orange

    A Smart Choice

    When it comes to candy, Smarties are considered a smart choice. For starters, Smarties are free from the nine major food allergies: milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy and sesame.

    If you are at a loss for classic gluten‑free candy, Smarties products are your delicious solution. The sweet treat is also gluten-free. Interestingly, the ingredients found in Smarties candy contains no animal products, making them a tasty and cruelty-free choice for anyone looking for delicious vegan candy. Did we mention they are only 25 calories in each roll of Smarties? 

    SMARTIE PANTS CELEBRATIONS

    There are an endless number of ways to celebrate today. If your candy cravings are keeping you from thinking straight, here’s a list of ideas to get you started:

    • Incorporate some Smarties in your favorite sweet treat. Use as a topping on ice cream, jello, or cake. You can even bake them in cookies, brownies or mix into homemade jam!
    • Create a DIY “Smartie Pants” Halloween costume.
    • Craft a thank you note for teachers and tape a Smarties roll to it.
    • Use Smarties as a teaching tool to learn to count, identify colors, match items, and build shapes to help with motor skills.
    • Make up your best Smarties pun or go with the classic, “Thanks for making me a Smartie!”
    • Eat a roll of Smarties, of course. Or maybe two.
    • Pick up some Smarties Mega Lollies for a friend.
    • Tag and post your Smarties celebration using #NationalSmartiesDay.

    CLASSIC HISTORY

    In 2022, National Day Calendar welcomed the Smarties Candy Company to our list of Founders. Beginning October 2 and every year after, we will be celebrating National Smarties Day in sweet style. The October 2 date also pays a beautiful tribute to the birthday of company Founder and Smarties creator Edward Dee, who was born on this day.

    Edward Dee, Smarties Founder
    Edward Dee, Smarties Founder 1924-2019

    Iconic Legacy

    Edward Dee (1924-2019) came to the U.S. from England with his family in 1949. As a third-generation candy maker, Dee arrived with a candy idea that would build his legacy. Beginning in a factory in Bloomfield, N.J., Dee began Ce De Candy Inc. in a rental property with two machines–a wrapping machine and a candy pellet-making machine. Dee would move his company to Elizabeth, N.J. in 1959 and finally to Union, N.J. in 1967, where the business remains today.

    Smarties Co-Presidents
    Co-Presidents Sarah Dee, Jessica Dee Sawyer and Liz Dee

    In 2011, the company decided to change their name from Ce De Candy Inc. to Smarties Candy Company. The Dee family has always been sole owners of the company, keeping their family tradition alive. In the 1970s, Dee’s sons Jonathan and Michael joined the business. The company is now led by the founder’s granddaughters, Co-Presidents Sarah Dee, Jessica Dee Sawyer and Liz Dee, making it a woman run company for the first time in its history.

    There have been many updates over the years including improving manufacturing facilities, adding solar power to their NJ candy factory which offsets half of their energy usage, and releasing new candy products including Mega Smarties – the largest Smarties roll available!

    A Sweet Future

    Education was an important aspect in Dee’s life long before he would immigrate to the U.S. He was a Cambridge University graduate and he knew the value of education. Because of this, he decided to name his candy Smarties as a way to encourage others to never stop learning. In 2013 the company began the “Smarties Think” initiative to continue his vision. Since then, Smarties has given more than $250,000 to classrooms in need.

    The early days of Edward Dee going door-to-door to make candy sales clearly paid off. Today, the Smarties brand continues to be a leader in the candy industry producing billions of Smarties rolls per year. With factories in New Jersey and Ontario, the Dee family continues the tradition of providing an iconic candy for smarty pants people everywhere.

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  • NATIONAL ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL DAY | August 20

    NATIONAL ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL DAY | August 20

    On August 20, National Accessible Air Travel Day focuses on the need for accessible air travel for people with disabilities.

    #NationalAccessibleAirTravelDay

    Today, we highlight the need for accessible air travel for people with disabilities. While providing education and recognizing achievements made to assist people with disabilities, the day also encourages everyone to recognize how airplane accommodations are necessary for millions of people with disabilities to travel safely.

    Air Carrier Access Act

    People with disabilities are entitled to the same accommodations as any other individual when traveling, including air travel. All airlines are required to follow the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), which provides all passengers disability assistance with:

    • Wheelchairs
    • Boarding and deplaning
    • Connecting flights
    • Personal belongings
    • Assistance with service animals
    • Interpreters
    • Technology (TTY) to communicate

    Airline carriers are required to follow the ACAA, which became law in 1986. The federal law prohibits discrimination against any individual with a disability during air travel. It also ensures people with disabilities have the same rights as other passengers when flying. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights. This Bill of Rights describes the fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities under the ACAA and its implementing regulation, 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 382.

    The Air Carrier Access Act makes it illegal for airlines to discriminate against any passenger with a disability.

     

    SUPPORT NATIONAL ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL DAY

    • Join an organization that is raising awareness and funding projects to develop innovative technologies making air travel accessible for people with disabilities.
    • Donate to an organization who fund projects that provide feasibility, safety and economic studies to create and make accommodations, including those required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airline carriers and legislators.
    • Participate and create an event in your community to promote awareness or raise funds to support a nonprofit.
    • Petition your local congressperson and write the FAA.
    • If you’re an individual with a disability, share your travel stories to help raise awareness for others.
    • Post on social media using #NationalAccessibleAirTravelDay.

    HISTORY

    All Wheels Up (AWU), is a nonprofit organization that works to raise awareness for safe and dignified air travel for people with disabilities The organization founded National Accessible Air Travel Day in 2022 and recognizes the need to raise awareness about the need to improve accessible air travel for people with disabilities. As the only organization to crash test wheelchairs for commercial flight for a wheelchair spot, AWU focuses on funding research and advocating for safe accessible air travel with an emphasis on securing a wheelchair spot on airplanes.

    AWU is dedicated to improving how people with disabilities travel, with a focus on:

    • Funding more wheelchair and wheelchair securement crash testing specific to FAA seat standards.
    • Working with regulators, such as the FAA, Congress, airplane manufacturers, and airlines, to secure a wheelchair spot on airplanes.
    • Developing educational tools and resources showing how to support wheelchair accessible air travel.
    • Making worldwide air travel fully accessible for millions of people who use wheelchairs.
    • Creating an annual awareness day on August 20 to encourage communities to join together and recognize the needs and achievements in air travel for people with disabilities.

    Statistics

    According to All Wheels Up, there are currently 4 million wheelchair users in the U.S. and growing. Adults with disabilities spend $17 billion on travel annually, with $4 million in European travel, plus millions more in other developing world countries. Sadly, there are NO wheelchair spot on planes, like there are on buses or trains.

    The FAA projects U.S. airline passenger growth to average 2% every year. In addition, the U.S. air travel demand to go from 756.3 million passengers in 2014. By 2035, those numbers will double and reach 1.14 billion passengers. The International Air Transport Association projects world airline passenger growth to average 3.8% ever year. In fact, world air travel demand will double from 3.5 billion passengers in 2015 to 7 billion by 2034.

    Accessible Air Travel

    Normally, when booking a flight, the customer is asked if they require special assistance. Oftentimes, these questions do not specify in detail what type of services might be needed. Because people with disabilities do not require the same types of services, it’s very hard for people to make further arrangements. Understanding what services are available is just as important as the services themselves.

    The Department of Transportation has a variety of easy-to-use material available for passengers with disabilities. This material is specifically designed to assist and make travel enjoyable.

    Join us each year on August 20 as we celebrate National Accessible Air Travel Day to raises awareness with need for accessible air travel for people with disabilities.

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  • NATIONAL DIMPLES DAY | July 9

    NATIONAL DIMPLES DAY | July 9

    On July 9 we admire those who have an adorable natural indentation known as the dimple on National Dimples Day.

    #NationalDimplesDay

    Dimples are often associated with cute babies and good looking adults. Only 20-30% of the entire world population has dimples. Although most people possess two dimples, a rare few produce only one when smiling.

    Dimples are considered a genetic trait. Normally, if one person in a family has dimples, it’s likely another family member will. Some scientists believe we inherit dimples. However, other scientists believe dimples are a random trait people have. Until more research is available, no one knows which genes produce dimples. In fact, there is very little scientific research available to make a determination.

    Facial Dimple Types

    • Dimple on both cheeks.
    • Chin dimple or cleft chin.
    • One-sided cheek dimple.
    • Corner of mouth dimple.

    How do dimples form? Dimples are formed by the zygomaticus major muscle, which is the muscle that controls facial expressions. The zygomaticus major muscle connects to the zygomatic bone, which is commonly known as the cheekbone. Most people have a single zygomaticus muscle attached to the cheekbone. However, people with dimples possess two zygomaticus muscles. One muscle connects to the cheek bone, while the other connects to the corner of the mouth.

    Those born with dimples, or develop dimples later in life, may have been told their dimples are a birth defect. However, there is no scientific information saying dimples have a negative effect on health. In fact, people with dimples have a positive effect on how society views the lucky faces that have dimples.

    Are dimples considered attractive? Dimples are, in fact, associated with beauty. Many people believe people with dimples look younger. People with dimples seem to be more noticeable, especially when they smile. Whether or not dimples determine success, we know there are several contemporary famous people whose dimples make them stand out.

    • Gabrielle Union-Wade
    • Mario Lopez
    • Matthew McConaughey
    • Michael B. Jordan
    • Jennifer Garner
    • Judy Garland
    • Sophia Bush
    • Kirsten Dunst
    • Deepika Padukone
    • Shin Min-a

    What are back dimples? Some people are born with back dimples, which are indentations on your lower back. People who have back dimples are born with them. This congenial feature is a result of shorter ligament tissue that connect the skin and pelvis. Although it may sound like a medical condition, back dimples are part of a healthy body structure.

    Beauty of the Gods

    Women who have back dimples are sometimes referred to as “dimples of Venus.” According to Greek Mythology, Venus is known as the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Since her beauty relates to love and desire, it’s evident why people today refer to back dimples as dimples of Venus.

    Although back dimples are more common in women, men also have dimples on their back. Men with back dimples refer to them as “dimples of Apollo.” References say Apollo was the God of Light, whose primary job was to pull the sun across the sky in his chariot. As the son of Zeus, he was admired for his knowledge in medicine, art, poetry and music.

    Weird Dimple Facts

    • Gelasin is the term referring to when dimples form when a person smiles.
    • Dimples are a result of a genetic deformity.
    • Chinese culture believe dimples are a sign of good luck.
    • The appearance of dimples depends on the shape of the skull.
    • Isabella Gilbert invented a non-surgical dimple creating device in 1936.

    The Dimple Maker
    Medford Mail Tribune (November 22, 1936)

    The Dimple Maker

    In 1936, Isabella Gilbert made her introduction to the world with an invention that supposedly created dimples. After creating a prototype, she submitted her application for a patent to market her product. Patent application number US104345A was filed on October 6, 1936 and granted on August 31, 1937. It took 17 years for the US Patent office to publish the Dimple Maker invention as US2091276A. Unfortunately, the patent expired after the American Medical Association said the device was hazardous to a person’s health.

    Dimple Maker Instructions

    “Wear dimplers five minutes at a time, two or three times a day, while dressing, resting, reading or writing. Look into the mirror and laugh. There will be a semblance of a line where you should always place the dimplers until your dimples are made.”

    SMILE

    • Anything that makes you feel happy will make you smile.
    • Laugh throughout the day.
    • Create fake dimples using a method found at  L’Oréal Paris USA.
    • Share photos of you or someone you know who has dimples.

    FOUNDER OF NATIONAL DIMPLES DAY

    Cultures throughout the world consider back dimples a sign of beauty. Ancient Chinese culture often refer to back dimples in calligraphy writing. Interestingly, they also compare them to pits of wine.

    In 2022, National Day Calendar welcomed National Dimples Day to our list new days. Each year on July 9 people across the world can celebrate their smile and show off their dimples! Founder and Chief Dimples Officer Graceful Grady believes celebrating dimples is a way to inspire people to be proud of their unique features.

    National Dimples Day is about celebrating the rarity of dimples. ~Graceful Grady, Founder

    Graceful Grady would like to invite everyone to nationaldimplesday.com and vote for your favorite dimple. While you’re there, check out their fun National Dimples Day products.

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