Category: June 14

  • NATIONAL CUCUMBER DAY | June 14

    NATIONAL CUCUMBER DAY

    Today is June 14 and National Cucumber Day at National Day Calendar and we are enjoying fresh cucumbers all day long! Join us as we crunch on this crisp summer favorite and enjoy the fruits of summer.

    #NATIONALCUCUMBERDAY

    You can almost taste the crisp, watery goodness of a cucumber during the summer months. With fresh fruits and vegetables at our fingertips, we feel very little guilt indulging in this salad favorite. Whether we grow them in our garden or purchase them at a local farmers market, we love the freshness a cucumber adds to our diets.

    Most people think cucumbers are a vegetable. In fact, they are actually a fruit in the watermelon family Cucurbitaceae. Cucumbers are normally a long and have a cylindrical shape, and are grown in different sizes. There are also around 100 different types of cucumbers around the world.

    Most cucumbers have green flesh with a white inside. The Lemon Cucumber has yellow skin and a tart taste. However, the Albino cucumber is a rare heirloom cucumber grown by seed savers. A seed saver is someone who saves seeds year-to-year and prevents cross-pollination with another seed variety.

    Crunchy History

    Cucumbers have been cultivated for nearly 3,000 years originating in Asia. It is unclear how or when cultivation was introduced to Ancient Greek and Roman Empires, but records show both upper and lower class people of those times were cultivating cucumbers as part of their diet. Europeans would bring cucumbers to the U.S. some time during exploration. Benjamin Watson’s Heirloom Vegetables book stated “in 1539 DeSoto found Indians in Florida growing cucumbers that were “better than those of Spain.””

    How do you eat cucumbers? Cucumbers are a common salad food. However, cucumbers are a main ingredient in the puree of gazpacho soup. In addition, tea houses in Britain serve cucumber sandwiches with tea because its lightness pairs well with afternoon tea.

    Though most people slice cucumbers and eat them in salads, many people use them for pickling. Pickling possibly dates back as far as the Mesopotamians who would preserve cucumbers in a brine solution. Today, Americans consumer almost 10 pounds of pickles per person in one year! Unsurprisingly, Kosher dill pickles have been a favorite among households since the 19th century thanks to Eastern European Jews emigrating to the U.S.

    7 Cucumber Facts

    1. Placing sliced cucumber on your tongue for a few minutes will eliminate bad breath.
    2. Cucumbers reduce and ease face swelling, especially around the eye area.
    3. Boiling sliced cucumbers releases a natural stress reducer into the air.
    4. Cucumbers are 95% water, which make them a great substitute for hydration.
    5. The waxy coating of a cucumber will erase a pen on anything.
    6. Eating cucumbers before bed after a night of too many adult beverages will help your body recover from a hangover the next day.
    7. Pureeing cucumber and applying it to a sunburn provides instant relief.

    A NATIONAL CUCUMBER DAY CELEBRATION

    1. Visit a local farmer to learn about growing cucumbers.
    2. Add cucumbers to your salad or eat them alone.
    3. Learn about the health benefits of cucumbers.
    4. Download the the National Day Calendar Gazpacho Recipe card.
    5. Share your cucumber recipes on social media and tag #NationalCucumberDay.
    GARLIC GAZPACHO

    CREATOR OF NATIONAL CUCUMBER DAY

    National Day Calendar created National Cucumber Day in 2023 to celebrate the refreshing taste of cucumbers all day long! We want everyone to enjoy the little things in life and today’s National Day is delicious celebration honoring another food holiday.

    Related Days on the National Day Calendar Calendar:

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  • WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY – June 14

    WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY

    World Blood Donor Day on June 14th serves to celebrate the donors and to raise awareness. The need for safe and reliable supplies of blood and blood products is a neverending requirement around the world. Thanks to volunteer donors, readily accessible blood banks, and trained professionals, quality blood supplies are more accessible than ever before.

    As part of the awareness campaign, World Blood Donor Day stresses the importance of voluntary donation to the safety of the blood supply. Volunteer unpaid donation in conjunction with screening protocols is essential for the safest blood supply.

    Blood and blood by-products support both planned and emergency treatments. During disasters, volunteer donors step up to fill the need. Donors give whole blood as often as every 56 days. Platelet donations may be given every 7 days but are limited to 24 contributions per year.

    HOW TO OBSERVE

    If you’re a blood donor, celebrate! Those who have received a donation are thankful for your contribution and hope you keep donating. Share your experiences and encourage others to donate, too!

    Thank a donor. Whether we’re a type A, B, or O, we never know when we might need a transfusion and thanks to donors, the pint we need will be there.

    Find out more about blood donation and register to be a donor. Visit www.redcrossblood.org to find out more.

    Use #WorldBloodDonorDay, #WBDD, and #BeAHero to follow on social media.

    HISTORY

    The International Federation of Red Cross, International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion joined forces to create World Blood Donor Day. It was first launched on June 14, 2004, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The date was selected in honor of Karl Landsteiner’s birthday. He discovered and classified the A, B, and O blood groups at the turn of the 20th century. It’s because of his discovery that doctors became able to transfuse blood from one patient to another, and thus save countless lives.

    The first celebration honored, as it does today, the donors around the world – especially those who donate several times a year – with the hope that more people would be inspired to become donors.

     

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  • NATIONAL NEW MEXICO DAY – June 14

    NATIONAL NEW MEXICO DAY | JUNE 14

    On June 14th, National New Mexico Day recognizes The Land of Enchantment. Home to ancestral Pueblos and later to the Navajo, Ute, and Apache, New Mexico’s Southwestern landscape is dotted with ruins that withstand the test of time.

    #NationalNewMexicoDay

    In the Northeastern part of the state, Vulcanologists and adventurers can explore the extinct Capulin Volcano. Retaining its distinctly volcanic shape, the Capulin Volcano rises more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding base.

    The unique landscape of White Sands National Monument in Southern New Mexico creates backdrops only imagined in the movies. That’s why not only Hollywood, but commercials and more, find their way there to film and record.

    New Mexico doesn’t lack of Hollywood subjects. From Roswell and the Manhattan Project to the Very Large Array, The Land of Enchantment is full of intrigue and mystery. It sets us up for conspiracy and thickening plots.

    Quench your thirst to the north in Cimarron Canyon State Park. Towering palisades will overwhelm you, while streams will lead you to tumbling waterfalls.

    While the state was primarily settled by Spanish explorers, military, and pioneers in the early 1600s, the seasoning that runs deep within the roots of the landscape is the chile. These flavorful, heat-infused peppers from Central America are added to soups, eggs, sandwiches, and even desserts. In New Mexico, chiles are everywhere.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL NEW MEXICO DAY

    Join National Day Calendar by exploring the sites, flavors, and beauty of New Mexico and use #NationalNewMexicoDay to share on social media.

    During the time of Mangas Caloradas, the influx of settlers, frontiersman, military, miners and more were impinging on and destroying Apache lands. Caloradas led the Apache with great skill keeping his homelands clear of settlers for a time through raids and fear. Eventually, though, Caloradas agreed to peace only to be brought to a brutal death by the military.
    The American West was a time of great hostilities in the early 1800s. Apaches led by Victorio resisted settlement of their lands by settlers through raids on farms and towns. Their strategies held settlement at bay for only a time.
    Conrad Hilton built a hospitality empire. He started with the Mobley Hotel in Cisco and eventually formed the Hilton International Company.
    Author of The Hand of Mordechai, Margaret Larkin also wrote an anthology of songs in The Singing Cowboy. The writer earned several prizes for her work in poetry and her drama El Cristo.
    Edward Condon’s contributions to physics helped advance the Manhattan Project.
    Landscape and portrait artist, Peter Hurd, gained recognition for his for his watercolors and lithographs. He captured the heart of New Mexico.
    William Hanna partnered with Joseph Barbera and created many of today’s classic animated cartoons. Starting with the successful Tom & Jerry, the team would take us into the past with The Flinstones and fast forward us to the future with the Jetsons. Their studios would produce animated television shows well into the 2000s, including the popular Smurfs.
    Comic book artist and animator, Pete Alvarado created licensed material for many of the large animators, including Disney, Warner Bros., and Hanna-Barbera.
    Syndicated newspaper cartoonist, Bill Mauldin used satire and caricature to parody the gremlins of war and politics. His most noted characters were Willie and Joe.
    An accomplished woman, Carolyn Shoemaker, discovered more comets than any other astronomer. In 1993, her most notable discovery was a team effort. Along with her husband and astrogeologist, Gene Shoemaker and astronomer David Levy, they discovered the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.
    Harrison Schmitt is a retired astronaut who is one of the last living individuals to walk on the moon. After traveling into space on Apollo 17, this retired professor became a senator for New Mexico.
    Al Unser’s racing career spanned 37 years. During those years, Unser took on a variety of races, sports cars, stock cars, and tracks. He endured the death of his brother Jerry and was challenged through sibling rivalry.
    Folk singer, John Denver, developed a following with songs like “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Country Roads,” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” “Rocky Mountain High” became the official state song of Colorado in 2007.
    Lydia Villa Komaroff is a molecular biologist, author, and businesswoman. She was part of the groundbreaking research showing that bacteria could make insulin.

    New Mexico Official

    HIDDEN TREASURES

    The Lightning Field – Quemado

    La Cieneguilla Petroglyph Site – Santa Fe

    The World’s Largest PistachioLand – Alamogordo

    The Very Large Array – Datil

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  • ARMY BIRTHDAY – June 14

    ARMY BIRTHDAY | JUNE 14

    Every year on June 14th, the United States Army celebrates its creation in 1775.

    #ArmyBirthday

    Formed from amateur troops of volunteer soldiers defending colonies against British tyranny, the oldest military force in the United States began before the U.S. formally existed. Their forces consisted of mostly inexperienced militiamen commanded by independent colonial armies. According to battlefields.org, there were never more than 48,000 Continental soldiers at one time. Today, the United States Army consists of over one million active-duty service members and an additional 800,000 National Guard and Reserves members.

    When is National Hire a Veteran Day?

    The enduring history of the U.S. Army means they have been integral to many of the United State’s military, peace-keeping and humanitarian efforts. During the Army’s Birthday, these and many advancements will be recognized through events and ceremonies.

    When is the National Guard’s Birthday?

    HOW TO OBSERVE ARMY BIRTHDAY

    Wish the Army a Happy Birthday. You can also learn about the history of the oldest branch of the U.S. military. Let those who serve in the Army know how important their volunteer service means to you.

    • Share memories of your military service in the Army.
    • Buy an Army veteran a meal or drink.
    • Donate to your favorite veteran’s organization.
    • Volunteer your time with a veteran’s organization.
    • Raise the Army colors at your home or business.
    • Exercise your right to vote.
    • Offer an Army veteran an interview when they apply for a job at your place of business.
    • Offer an Army spouse an interview when they apply for a job at your place of business.
    • Show support to a military family through deployments, moves, and transfers.

    Use #ArmyBirthday to share on social media.

    ARMY BIRTHDAY HISTORY

    On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress created a Continental Army of existing militias (some that still exist today) to protect the Northern colonies from British troops.

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  • NATIONAL FLAG WEEK – Week of June 14

    NATIONAL FLAG WEEK

    National Flag Week takes place during the week of June 14th. Annually proclaimed by the sitting president, National Flag Week is a call to citizens to display the red, white and blue standard.

    While many different flags were flying over the original 13 colonies, Old Glory’s official history dates back to June 14, 1777, when the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing the young country’s banner.

    The thirteen stripes alternated red and white representing each of the original colonies. A circle of thirteen white stars in a field of blue represented the union.

    For a time, the stars and bars included 15 of each! In 1795, after Vermont and Kentucky were granted statehood in 1791 and 1792 respectively, a new design represented the newly appointed states.

    In 1818, the U.S. flag returned to 13 strips and would never add another.

    HOW TO OBSERVE

    Fly the red, white and blue. For information on how to properly fly the Flag of the United States of America, visit The American Legion.

    Attend Flag Day observances, parades, and events at significant historical sites across the country.

    Use #NationalFlagWeek to share on social media.

    HISTORY

    On June 9, 1966, Congress authorized the President by joint resolution Public Law 89-443 to annually proclaim National Flag Week during the week of June 14.

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  • NATIONAL BOURBON DAY – June 14

    NATIONAL BOURBON DAY | JUNE 14

    On June 14th, National Bourbon Day recognizes the Official Spirit of America.

    Like Scotch, Cognac, and some other spirits, Bourbon must meet certain standards and be produced in a specific geographical region to earn its name. Bourbon is a whiskey that can only be called by the word when it is distilled in the United States. For a distiller to legally label their whiskey as “Bourbon,” they must meet specific criteria.

    #NationalBourbonDay

    • The whiskey must be 51 percent corn.
    • The distiller must story the whiskey in new (not aged) charred-oak barrels,
    • They also must distill the whiskey at no more than 160 proof.
    • Finally, distillers must ensure the Bourbon is barreled at 125 proof.

    This particular whiskey derives its name from the Kentucky county of the same name. Early settlers established the county in 1785 and were large producers of corn. Back then, once they distilled the corn, they put it in barrels stamped “Old Bourbon,” and shipped them down the Ohio River.

    In 1964, a Congressional Resolution designated Bourbon as America’s native spirit. Since then, nowhere else in the world can make a whiskey and call it Bourbon.

    Bourbon’s deep roots start with the immigrants who would homestead in Kentucky. With an abundance of corn, these pioneers set their stills to work, producing a whiskey that lives on today. They also put their own stamp on the quality and flavors into their whiskey. From the oak barrels to the rich soils, Bourbon’s character continues to grow throughout the years.

    HOW TO USE NATIONAL BOURBON DAY

    Pour a glass of Bourbon and use #NationalBourbonDay on social media. As you savor the depth of flavor, study up on Bourbon. Watch a documentary or read a book on the history of Bourbon. These will take you back in time and tell you about the people who brought about the drink we know as the Official Spirit of America.

    Here are our staff picks to learn about the history of Bourbon:

      • Neat: The Story of Bourbon (2018), written and directed by David Altrogge
      • Straight Up: Kentucky Bourbon (2018), written and directed by Eric Byford
      • The Social History of Bourbon by Gerald Carson
      • Bourbon: A History of the American Spirit by Dane Huckelbridge

    NATIONAL BOURBON DAY HISTORY

    National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this spirited holiday.

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  • NATIONAL STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DAY – June 14

    NATIONAL STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DAY | JUNE 14

    National Strawberry Shortcake Day on June 14th each year lands at the peak of strawberry season. While we are able to get strawberries all year long now, the best strawberries are those picked from April to June. These bright red berries during this time are sweeter and more flavorful. By adding them to a shortcake biscuit or a sponge cake, strawberry shortcake is an easy and refreshing summertime dessert!

    #StrawberryShortcakeDay

    Strawberries are sliced, mixed with sugar then allowed to sit for about an hour until they have surrendered plenty of their juices. The shortcakes are then split, and the bottom is covered with a layer of the strawberries, juice and whipped cream. The top is then put back on, and more strawberries, juice and whipped cream are added to finish it off.

    HOW TO OBSERVE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DAY

    There are several ways to enjoy today. The first and most obvious way is by making a strawberry shortcake to share. There are other delicious desserts to make featuring strawberry shortcake, too.

    • Visit a pick your own strawberry patch to make the day an adventure.
    • Make a strawberry shortcake trifle.
    • Enjoy strawberry shortcake ice cream.
    • Add mixed berries to your shortcake, too!

    Don’t forget to check out all the other strawberry celebrations on the calendar. There are plenty to go around!  Share your favorite recipes using #StrawberryShortcakeDay on social media.

    NATIONAL STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DAY HISTORY

    National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this seasonal cake holiday. In the meantime, check out these other fruit related celebrations:

     

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  • NATIONAL POP GOES THE WEASEL DAY June 14

    NATIONAL POP GOES THE WEASEL DAY

    On June 14th each year, National Pop Goes the Weasel Day celebrates a nursery rhyme children have been singing for more than 300 years. On this day, people dig back into their memories to the nursery rhymes they learned as children and celebrate the day singing “Pop Goes the Weasel.”

    #NationalPopGoesTheWeaselDay

    The origins of this nursery rhyme are believed to date back to the 1700s.

    The original version went as such:

    Half a pound of tuppenny rice,
    Half a pound of treacle.
    That’s the way the money goes,
    Pop! goes the weasel.
    Up and down the City road,
    In and out the Eagle,
    That’s the way the money goes,
    Pop! goes the weasel.   

    “The Eagle”, in the second verse, may refer to The Eagle freehold pub, which was once at the corner of Shepherdess Walk and City Road in London. In 1825 the pub was as a music house. Then, in 1901, it was demolished and rebuilt once more into a public house. It bears a plaque with this version of “Pop Goes the Weasel,” along with the history of the pub. 

    An alternative version:

    A penny for a spool of thread,
    A penny for a needle.
    That’s the way the money goes,
    Pop! goes the weasel.

    In this version, the weasel is interpreted as being a shuttle or bobbin used by silk weavers and being pawned in a similar way. Possibly as the suits or jackets owned by the Cockneys.

    Of course, there are many different versions of this nursery rhyme. All are fun, and especially have the same catchy tune.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL POP GOES THE WEASEL

    Recite the nursery rhyme or teach it to a new generation. You can also download, print, and color the Pop Goes the Weasel Coloring page. Use #NationalPopGoesTheWeaselDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL POP GOES THE WEASEL DAY HISTORY

    National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this nursery rhyme holiday.

     

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  • NATIONAL FLAG DAY – June 14

    NATIONAL FLAG DAY | JUNE 14

    On June 14th, National Flag Day honors Old Glory and commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777. The holiday is a day that Americans show respect for the U.S. Flag and what it represents. Representing independence and unity, the Star-Spangled Banner has become a powerful symbol of Americanism and the flag is flown proudly. 

    #NationalFlagDay

    While Betsy Ross has been given credit for stitching together the first American flag, there isn’t any sound evidence supporting the story. At the same time, there isn’t any to disprove it, either. Part of the conflict is there were several designs in consideration at the same time. There were many flag makers and more than one claim to the first. During Ross’s Revolutionary time, several standards were carried bearing red and white stripes and varying symbols where the blue field and stars now reside.

    Another who laid claim to the first design was Francis Hopkinson. His request for compensation for his design was denied because others contributed to the design final design. 

    Since 1777, the design of the flag has been officially modified 26 times. For 47 years, the 48-star flag was in effect. In 1959, the 49-star version became official on July 4. President Eisenhower ordered the 50-star flag on August 21, 1959.

    Seventeen-year-old Robert G. Heft of Ohio designed the 50-star American flag. His was one of the more than 1,500 designs that were submitted to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. 

    HOW TO OBSERVE National Flag Day

    Many people have died protecting our country. On National Flag Day, raise the flag and fly it proudly. Spend time learning more about U.S. flag history, too. Use #NationalFlagDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL FLAG DAY HISTORY

    On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation deeming June 14th as Flag Day. President Wilson stated, “It is the anniversary of the day upon which the flag of the United States was adopted by the Congress as the emblem of the Union.” He also wrote, “On that day rededicate ourselves to the nation, ‘one and inseparable’ from which every thought that is not worthy of our fathers’ first vows in independence, liberty, and right shall be excluded and in which we shall stand with united hearts.”     

     

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  • NATIONAL CAREER NURSE ASSISTANTS’ DAY – First Day of National Nursing Assistants Week

    NATIONAL CAREER NURSE ASSISTANTS’ DAY

    Every year, on the first day of National Nursing Assistants’ Week, we observe National Career Nurse Assistants’ Day. On this day, we recognize all nursing assistants who dedicate their lives to the well-being of others, whether it’s been 5 years or 58 years of service.

    #CareerNurseAssistantsDay

    Nursing assistants work in hospitals and nursing homes alike, performing everyday living tasks for the elderly, chronically ill, or rehabilitation patients who cannot care for themselves. Of course, nursing assistants require in-depth training to gain the necessary qualifications to cover a wide scope of responsibilities. The American Red Cross, as well as other providers, provide classes to study for nursing assistants. Although states may distribute CNA certification exams, their certification follows a standard set of qualifications created by the government. 

    Career Nursing Assistants also play a host of roles in the lives of residents in nursing homes, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Amazingly, they often assist people to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. In addition, a CNA provides essential support for patient needs. This includes promoting mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being, too. 

    HOW TO OBSERVE CAREER NURSE ASSISTANTS’ DAY

    Take time to thank a CNA for the care they provide by leaving them a thank you note. Whether it’s in a nursing home, in-home care, or another facility, a CNA commits to provide quality care for the elderly. Of course, there are other ways to express your appreciation. Some of these ideas include:

    • Giving a gift card to a local coffee shop. 
    • Delivering a fruit basket. 
    • Making homemade cookies or other treats. 
    • Giving a word of praise to their administration.

     Use #CareerNurseAssistantsDay to share on social media.  

    NATIONAL CAREER NURSE ASSISTANTS’ DAY HISTORY

    National Network of Career Nursing Assistants sponsors National Career Nurse Assistants Day, respectively. Since 1977, they promote National Nursing Assistants Training Week by encouraging communities to show support and appreciation to the professionals who provide quality elderly care. 

     

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