Category: March 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.

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  • NATIONAL SONS DAY – March 4

    NATIONAL SONS DAY

    Every year on March 4th, National Sons Day honors the sons of the world and those who raise them. The day also takes a look at a son’s role and his relationship with those around him.

    #NationalSonsDay

    Around the world, slightly more sons are born than daughters. Both bring joy to families, though. Our rambunctious sons grow into adult men and forge their own independence in the world. Some are soft-spoken and gentle. Others with a spark of curiosity fill every hour with questions, some unanswerable.

    Parents and family members strive to mold them into a person better than we are. Sons, like many children, test the boundaries until one day, they stand before us, grown. National Sons Day encourages parents to be role models and provide the boundaries sons need. Celebrate their successes while guiding them through their failures. Give them a foundation of skills that they will rely on for a lifetime and pass on to their sons.

    Each day as a son and the parent of one is a treasure. Boys need us to model responsibility, hard work, and integrity. As they work and learn beside us, those qualities will be instilled in them. The day reminds us of the value our sons bring to our lives and others.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SONS DAY

    • Consider all the things you want your son to know and be when he’s an adult.
    • Take the day to teach your son something you think is important for him to know. Change a tire or balance the checkbook. The small tasks, the mundane ones are the ones that get in the way when we don’t know how to do them. Bond over the experience by letting him know you teach him these skills to clear a path for the bigger events in his life.
    • Join an organization for mentoring boys without male role models.
    • Find a role model that fits the interests of your son.
    • Teach your son something your father taught you.
    • Offer to give a skills class at a school.
    • Make the day unique by taking a photograph with all the sons together and share on social media using #NationalSonsDay.

    NATIONAL SONS DAY HISTORY

    In 2018, Jill Nico created National Sons Day celebrating the importance and significance of sons and those who raise them. While there’s no single reason for selecting March 4th, the founder explains spring seemed ideal, and the date resounds with momentum when spoken. Additionally, many sons enjoy spring sports, and it’s an excellent time to spend time outdoors. Visit the Facebook page to join in the celebration.

    In the late 1990s, an effort to create National Sons Day began as a counterpart to National Take Your Daughters to Work Day. By 1998, the group called National Sons Day created National Take Your Sons to Work Day. In later years, the separate observances joined forces.

    Sons FAQ

    Q. What are the most popular baby names for sons?
    A. According to Baby Center, the most popular baby name for boys in 2021 was Liam. However, the U.S. Social Security Administration currently lists James as the most popular baby name for boys in the last 100 years. Since 1921, James tops the list with 4,700,229 babies bearing the name.

    Q. What does the phrase “like father, like son” mean?
    A. The phrase is a way to describe likenesses between a father and a son. The son’s attitudes, behavior, manner of speech, or even mannerisms may mirror his father’s.

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  • MARCHING MUSIC DAY – March 4

    MARCHING MUSIC DAY

    March forth to the rhythm of life on Marching Music Day every March 4th. Honor the dedicated musicians and performers of many diverse styles and backgrounds. Marching Music Day celebrates all varieties of art forms that bring us “music on the move.”

    #MarchingMusicDay

    For centuries, the beat of a drum has kept military units moving in unison. From the training field to the battlefield, the football stadium to the Broadway stage, marching music delights performers and spectators. They also perform in small gyms, auditoriums, and grand arenas. From small parades to impressive spectacles, fifers, pipers, buglers, drum corps, marching bands, parade groups, drill teams, and color guards bring music to life. They bring audiences to their feet while stirring a crowd to an enthusiastic roar.

    Military Roots & Technology

    Did you know, the military roots of the drum corps have evolved over time. As a well-rooted art form, marching music moves us during somber memorials. And yet it thrills us with an ability to perform delightful music and execute intricate routines with exact precision. Drill squads, marching bands, drum lines, and drum corps name but a few of the many styles of marching music. They engage hundreds of thousands of performers of all ages, abilities, and experience levels.

    We see marching music in schools, military units, community celebrations, and local auxiliaries. The music is as varied as the ensembles themselves, too! While instruments may be limited to brass in some settings, others may include woodwinds and electric guitars in others. Dance teams, baton twirlers, and color guards perform to modern soundtracks. They take center stage with performances ranging from traditional, standard marches to rock and roll, jazz, contemporary, and electronic dance music.

    Furthermore, marching music keeps changing! Spectacular string bands incorporate their own unique sound and elaborate costuming. Technology has produced lighter, electronic and digital instruments, making it possible for musicians to march with violins, cellos, basses, and synthesizers to entertain crowds in unique and creative new ways.

    HOW TO OBSERVE MARCHING MUSIC DAY

    March forth! Support your local marching music groups. There are many ways to take part.

    • Attend their performances and bring new supporters with you.
    • Back their competitions by contributing to their fundraisers.
    • If you’re a musician, consider becoming part of the band.
    • Share your experience by teaching others.

    Whether it is through a school, a veterans group, or an independent ensemble, they will appreciate your support. And you will appreciate the entertainment and music! Use #MarchForth #MarchingMusicDay to share your support on social media.

    MARCHING MUSIC DAY HISTORY

    Drum Corps International founded Marching Music Day to celebrate marching music as an engaging and ever-expanding art form around the world. The day also celebrates Music In Our Schools Month. The observance chose March Fourth as a clever play on words.

    The Registrar at National Day Calendar® declared the day to March forth into celebration annually, beginning in 2017.

    Marching Music FAQ

    Q. Where can I see a marching band perform?
    A. Marching bands perform in a variety of venues. Some of them include:

    • Military ceremonies
    • Parades
    • Sporting events
    • Music competitions
    • Festivals

    Q. What movies feature marching bands?
    A. A few movies that feature marching bands include:

    • The Music Man
    • Drumline
    • Drumline: A New Beat
    • Our Song

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  • GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING | Sundown to Sundown March 3-4

    GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING

    From sundown to sundown  March 3 – 4, Global Day of Unplugging, kicks off a 24-hour period, to unplug, unwind, relax, and do things other than using today’s technology, electronics, and social media.

    #GlobalDayOfUnplugging

    Look around the average American household. Smartphones, computers, gaming systems, and smart TVs may not fill every nook and cranny, but gradually these devices are taking up residence and bandwidth in our homes and brains. According to Pew Research, the typical American family contains approximately 5 connected devices. Media, friends, entertainment, education, work, and more are all at our fingertips. The amount of information available to us is at an all-time high and the amount of connectedness goes with us everywhere.

    Disconnecting or unplugging from all the digital static offers us an opportunity to reset. It also allows us to make more human connections with the people around us. Digital connections lack the tactile essence of the real world such as sounds, smells, and touch. Eye contact, for example, lacks depth in the digital world. In person, however, we gain a sense of someone even if we don’t know what it is yet.

    Another benefit of unplugging is better sleep. When we push away from the computer, put down the smartphone, and turn off the computer, we’re more likely to stretch our legs. Going outdoors into the fresh air, we might actually get more natural exercise causing our bodies to sleep better.

    Other things about unplugging that might surprise you are that you’ll find more time to do the things you keep saying you have no time to do. For example, reading that book or visiting with an old friend, cleaning out the closets, or hiking a trail. What’s on your list that Global Day of Unplugging will help you get finished?

    HOW TO OBSERVE GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING

    • Make a plan with a friend or two ahead of time.
    • Turn off smartphones, computers, personal assistants, gaming systems, and televisions.
    • Start your day by singing in the shower.
    • Read the newspaper.
    • Meet a friend for breakfast.
    • Go to the library and use the Dewy Decimal System.
    • Have a conversation uninterrupted by a notification.
    • Leave your mobile tech at home. 
    • Make sure to sign the Unplugging Pledge, too!
    • Take a break from technology and use #GlobalDayOfUnplugging to post on social media the day before to spread the word.

    GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING HISTORY HISTORY

    Members of the Reboot Network founded Global Day of Unplugging to encourage others to have a more unplugged life. More recently (2023) the announcement came out of a change in the name and the timing of of this celebration. For all the details, read the Press Release.

    Unplugging FAQ

    Q. How does someone unplug if they use a computer for work or school?
    A. Set aside an hour or two during the day to unplug. Another option is to begin setting aside a day a week to get away from all electronics.

    Q. What are the benefits of unplugging?
    A. Unplugging comes with many benefits. The most obvious is the energy savings that come with unplugging. However, we also benefit by being able to focus on human-to-human connections, better sleep, and an opportunity to focus on our own well-being.

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  • NATIONAL GRAMMAR DAY – March 4

    NATIONAL GRAMMAR DAY

    National Grammar Day is observed across the United States each year on March 4th. The observance encourages the use of correct grammar in both verbal and written language. 

    #NationalGrammarDay

    According to the Global Language Monitor, the estimated number of words in the English language is 1,025,109. There is some controversy over that figure, but it’s safe to say it is over a million.

    Language is something to celebrate. Some people might suggest that grammar is a set of rules for language, but it is a system for understanding language. Understanding the system and the structure helps us understand each other better and help us learn new languages.

    HOW TO OBSERVE national grammar day

    • Read a new blog, book, magazine, or newspaper. You might learn a new turn of phrase or word. 
    • Learn a new word from another language. Not all languages use the same grammar rules. Some languages even have words that don’t exist in other languages. 
    • Spend time with someone who speaks your first language as a second language. You might learn something new about syntax, tense, or spelling. 
    • What might be a grammar error in one language is perfectly fine in another. Do you speak two languages or more? What are the unique differences between grammar rules that you’ve noticed?
    • Read about these 9 Common Grammar Mistakes.
    • Do your best to use proper grammar and use #NationalGrammarDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL GRAMMAR DAY HISTORY

    Martha Brockenbrough, founder of the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar, designated National Grammar Day in 2008.

    Grammar FAQ

    Q. What extinct animal knew a lot of words?
    A. A thesaurus.

    Q. What did the judge say to the comma splice?
    A. You will appear for judgment, and I will sentence you.

    For more information and ideas on ways to celebrate National Grammar Day, visit the website at  https://nationalgrammarday.com/

    RELEVANT VIDEO

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  • NATIONAL HUG A G.I. DAY – March 4

    NATIONAL HUG A  G.I.  DAY 

    As the only day on the calendar that is mnemonically a military command, March 4th recognizes National Hug a G.I. Day.

    #HugAGIDay

    Gather around your servicemen and women to give them a hug. It’s simply a way to show your support. With either a pat on the back or a hearty handshake, be sure to give both past and present G.I.s your appreciation. While G.I.s refer to Army personnel, the day encompasses all those who have served in the military. So, hug those Jarheads, Wingnuts, Squids, and Coasties, too!

    Today the term G.I. is fairly commonly known to refer to those serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. How that came to be is a little less military protocol and more the American story.

    It seems at the turn of the 20th century, G.I. was a notation used in supply records for galvanized iron. It was later used during World War I for German artillery shells made from galvanized iron.

    Sometime during the war, soldiers started interpreting the initials as “Government Issue” or “General Issue”. By the time World War II came around it was starting to gain meaning as the generic enlisted man.

    Not surprisingly, sarcastic usage among many servicemen was common, feeling they were just like any other Government Issued supply being mass-produced for Uncle Sam.

    About that time G.I. Joe was born. His creator, comic strip artist, and former Army Sergeant David Breger, issued his first G.I. Joe cartoon series in Yank magazine on June 17, 1942.

    The term G.I. became more permanently etched in the American language when in 1944 President Franklin Roosevelt signed the bill that became known as the G.I. Bill; Servicemen’s Readjustment Act.

    And then there was no going back when Hasbro trademarked their G.I. Joe as an action figure in 1964.

    HOW TO OBSERVE HUG A G.I. DAY

    • Find a G.I. you know and give them a hug.
    • Is your G.I. too far away to give a hug? Send him or her a virtual one via text, e-mail, phone or even snail mail.
    • Show your support for the military.
    • Use #HugAGIDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL HUG A G.I. DAY HISTORY

    In 1996, Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith created Hug A G.I. Day. She selected the only day on the calendar that was also a military command to salute and celebrate the men and women who risk their lives for our country and freedoms. We have included the link to the original page for you.  https://adriennesiouxkoopersmith.blogspot.com/2013/02/hug-gi-day-1996-ask-style-celebrating.html

    G.I. FAQ

    Q. What is the G.I. Bill?
    A. The original G.I. Bill is no longer in effect. However, today’s G.I. Bill provides benefits to services members and veterans to attend college, university, trade school, or other training services.

    Q. What branch of the military was David Breger’s G.I. Joe?
    A. G.I. Joe Trooper was in the U.S. Army and was a featured cartoon in the Army publication Yank. However, when Mattel began creating G.I. Joe action figures, they produced one for each branch of the military.

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  • NATIONAL POUND CAKE DAY – March 4

    NATIONAL POUND CAKE DAY

    On March 4th, National Pound Cake Day recognizes one of the dessert world’s most versatile cakes. Each year it is celebrated by bakers and cake lovers alike. Celebrate with a piece (or two) of this deliciously rich delight.

    #NationalPoundCakeDay

    The traditional recipe for pound cake makes a cake much larger than most families can consume, as it calls for a pound each of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. Hence the name Pound Cake.

    In the United States, sour cream pound cake is a popular variation apart from the traditional pound cake recipe. Other variations include adding vanilla or almond flavoring or dried fruits.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL POUND CAKE DAY

    • Visit your favorite bakery and pick up a pound of deliciously sweet cake to share.
    • Give the baker a shout-out, too.
    • Turn on your oven and bake up a traditional pound cake. We have just the right recipe for you to try.
    • Invite friends to join you and slice it up. Add sweet berries, whipped cream, and a drizzle of chocolate or fruit syrup.
    • Bake some to give as a gift to friends and family. Or bring it to work to share with co-workers.
    • Use #NationalPoundCakeDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL POUND CAKE DAY HISTORY

    National Day Calendar continues to research the origins of this dessert holiday. 

    Pound Cake FAQ

    Q. How many calories are in a serving of pound cake?
    A. An 85 gram serving of pound cake contains 280 calories.

    Q. Why are pound cakes so dense?
    A. Traditional pound cake recipes do not include a leavening agent. A leavening agent like baking soda or baking powder causes the batter to rise as the cake bakes, creating lighter, airier results.

    Q. What flavors are best for pound cakes?
    A. Bakers prefer lighter flavors for pound cakes such as citrus and berry flavors. However, coffee, chocolate, and other fruits are also incorporated into delicious pound cake recipes.

    March 4th Celebrated History

    1841

    President William Henry Harrison sits for the first presidential photograph following his inauguration.

    1872

    The Boston Globe publishes its first issue.

    1917

    After being elected by the citizens of Montana, Jeannette Rankin becomes the first woman to become a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

    1902

    Name your favorite road song. “I Can’t Drive 55” by Sammy Hagar or “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane. Nine motor clubs combined to form the American Automobile Association (AAA or Triple-A) in Chicago, Illinois.

    1929

    Charles Curtis takes the oath of office and becomes the first Native American vice president.

    1933

    The first woman Cabinet member takes office. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Frances Perkins from Massachusetts to Secretary of Labor.

    1975

    In a private ceremony, Queen Elizabeth II knights Charlie Chaplin, Sir Charles Chaplin Knight Commander of the British Empire.

    1975

    The Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year goes to Olivia Newton-John for “I Honestly Love You.” Stevie Wonder wins Album of the Year for Fulfillingness’ First Finale and Best Male Pop Performance.

    March 4th Celebrated Birthdays

    Garrett Morgan – 1877

    Of the American inventor’s patents, two provided significant progress in safety. The first was a gas mask, and the second was a three-position traffic. Similar to previous traffic signals, Morgan’s include stop and go positions, but it also included an all-direction stop. This allowed the intersection to clear before giving traffic from the other direction the go signal.

    Knute Rockne – 1888

    Considered one of football’s most storied players and coaches, Rockne coached Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish for 13 seasons and 105 wins.

    Barbara Newhall Follett – 1914

    In 1927, the young American author published her first novel, The House Without Windows, at the age of twelve. The Lost Island: Plus Three Stories and an Afterword was published two years later.

    Robert R. Wilson – 1914

    Recruited by J. Robert Oppenheimer, Robert Wilson headed the cyclotron group for the Manhattan Project. Wilson’s artistic talents became integral in his later career when his eye for aesthetics enhanced the design of Fermilab.

    Miriam Makeba – 1932

    The South African musical artist is known as “Mama Africa” and landed the lead in the Broadway show King Kong in 1959. After testifying before the United Nations in 1963 about apartheid, the South African government revoked her citizenship. In 1966, Makeba and Harry Belafonte won the Grammy for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording for An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba.

    Notable Mentions

    David Watson Taylor – 1864
    Margaret Osborne duPont – 1918
    Bobby Womack – 1944
    Peggy Rathmann – 1953
    Ray Mancini – 1961

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