Category: May 16

• NATIONAL SEA MONKEY DAY – May 16

  NATIONAL SEA MONKEY DAY | MAY 16

  The tiny brine shrimp is better known by its brand name, Sea-Monkey. On the 16th of May each year, many of us celebrate fond childhood memories for National Sea Monkey Day as we look back to our aquariums filled with these magical little creatures that hatched and grew before our eyes.

  #NationalSeaMonkeyDay

  Sea Monkeys are a type of  Artemia (brine shrimp).  They got their name because of their monkey-tail look.

  Following the popularity of the ant farms, Harold von Braunhut invented the “Sea Monkeys” and hatching kits in 1957. He did most of his advertising through comic books. He once said, “I think I bought something like 3.2 million pages of comic book advertising a year. It worked beautifully.”

  These little crustaceans have made their appearances on television shows including Spin City, Roseanne, Night Court, South Park, The Simpsons, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, and Desperate Housewives. 

  Sea Monkeys also went into space with astronaut John Glenn on October 29, 1998, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery.  They returned to Earth after spending nine days in space and the eggs hatched eight weeks later, apparently unaffected by their travels.

  HOW TO OBSERVE National Sea Monkey Day

  Share your experiences with Sea Monkeys. Do you have some swimming around now? Share a photo using #NationalSeaMonkeyDay to post on social media.

  NATIONAL SEA MONKEY DAY HISTORY

  National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this pop culture holiday.

  April 2, 2014

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  National Day Calendar

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  Animals & Wild Things, Art & Entertainment, Classroom, May 16, National Day, Nature, Pop Culture & Lifestyle

• NATIONAL LOVE A TREE DAY – May 16

   

  

  NATIONAL LOVE A TREE DAY | MAY 16

  On May 16th each year, National Love a Tree Day celebrates the joys of life provided by trees. Reading in the shade or taking a bite out of a fresh fruit pie are but two examples. Of course, planting trees for future generations to love is beneficial too.

  #LoveATreeDay

  Most species of trees tend to be long-lived. Some trees live to be several thousand years old. According to the U.S. Forest Service, about 766 million acres of forest land exists in the United States. This number has held steady since 2012. Between 1630 and 1910, there was a steady decline from 1,023 million acres to 754 million acres. That’s a decline from 46 percent to 34 percent of the total land area of the United States.

  How trees are utilized and managed has changed in the last 400 years. Where people live and how we farm has also changed. While some urban forests increase, other areas see a decline. Tree planting programs improve landscapes but human activities and population growth continue to impact ecosystems.

  The tallest known tree is 379 ft. tall.  

  Trees provide more than just beautiful landscapes and a shady canopy on a sunny day. They play a significant role in reducing erosion and moderating the climate as well as give us oxygen. Large quantities of carbon are stored in their tissues as trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They provide habitat and structure for strong ecosystems.

  HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL LOVE A TREE DAY

  Trees are a vital part of nature. This is a good day to plant a new tree or spend some time enjoying the beauty of the trees that are all around you. Take time to learn how to care for the trees you have, too. Share photos of your favorite tree or videos of you planting a tree. Use #LoveATreeDay to post on social media.

  NATIONAL LOVE A TREE DAY HISTORY

  National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this tree-loving day.

  April 2, 2014

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  National Day Calendar

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  May 16, National Day, Nature, Pop Culture & Lifestyle