On September 29, Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day celebrates the 101 urban national wildlife refuges in the United States. That is nearly 1/5 of the country’s total refuges.
#UrbanNationalWildlifeRefugeDay
To be defined as an urban national wildlife refuge, the unit must be within 25 miles of an urban area of 250,000 people or greater. These refuges provide communities with access to substantial green space for outdoor recreation including hiking, bird watching, canoeing, fishing, and hunting. They also offer a wealth of educational opportunities. Over 80% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas. Having access to a wildlife area not only offers recreational activities but also improves our quality of life.
The first urban national wildlife refuge established in the United States was the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in 1972, the 1000-acre refuge also includes a 285-acre freshwater tidal marsh. Refuges like this offer opportunities to see wildlife up close and personal. Since then, the U.S. Department of Interior has designated 100 more urban wildlife refuges in more than 30 states.
The day encourages us to explore the wildlife refuges near where we live. Enjoy nature at its best while hiking or canoeing. Take in the beauty and breathe in the fresh air.
HOW TO OBSERVE URBAN WILDLIFE REFUGE DAY
On Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day, explore the trails or drop a fishing line into the water. Access the educational opportunities the refuge near you offers. Many refuges include:
Wildlife demonstrations
Resource management and conservation, including threatened and endangered species
Horseback riding, hiking, bicycling or birding
Nature or cultural activities
Volunteer opportunities
Picnic areas
Interpretive centers
Nature photography opportunities
Join the conversation by using #UrbanNationalWildlifeRefugeDay when you post your activities, too!
URBAN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE DAY HISTORY
The United States Congress first proclaimed Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day to be observed in 2018.
On September 29th, National VFW Day honors the men and women devoted to this valuable organization and those members who have served our nation.
#NationalVFWDay
Members of the organization named Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) today hold a long-standing history of volunteerism in their communities. Not only have they served their country, but they continue to serve their fellow veterans, families, and communities by sponsoring scholarships, career fairs, mental wellness campaigns, and so many more excellent services.
VFW membership since its inception has been instrumental in the establishment of the Veterans Administration, the creation of the national cemetery system and passage of the GI Bill. Through the VFW, veterans honor veterans and serve their communities. On National VFW Day, take a moment to recognize all the VFW does in your community.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL VFW DAY
Honor the VFW members and veterans in your community. Let them know that you appreciate the sacrifices they have made for all of us. We truly are the land of the free because of the brave. Use #NationalVFWDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL VFW DAY HISTORY
The VFW was established on September 29, 1899, by a group of veterans from the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection. It has since grown to be the nation’s largest group of combat veterans. They continue “to honor the dead by helping the living.” The VFW promotes patriotism, goodwill, and youth scholarships. They also provide military assistance and community service programs, promote youth activities and volunteer many hours in their local communities.
Whether getting one to go or lingering over a second cup, on September 29th be sure to observe National Coffee Day!
#NationalCoffeeDay
Ah, the perfect cup of java. According to an expert cupper (a professional coffee taster), there are four components of a perfect cup: aroma, body, acidity, and flavor.
From the moment the average coffee lover opens a fresh bag of coffee beans, the aroma beckons, percolating the senses. Even those who don’t drink coffee tend to enjoy the fragrance roasted beans cast.
GROWING, ROASTING, AND BREWING
When determining the body of a coffee, the bean, the roast, and the brew are all factors. The bean affects the texture of the coffee, whether its silky, creamy, thick or thin on the tongue and throat. However, the darker the roast and how we brew it will alter the feel of a coffee’s body, too. Grandpa’s motor oil blend versus the coffee shop around the corner’s silky smooth, well-practiced grind have entirely different bodies.
Where a coffee bean grows determines its acidity. The higher the elevation the coffee grows, the higher the quality and the acidity. These coffees are considered brighter, dryer, even sparkling by cuppers.
When it comes down to it, coffee lovers cherish the flavor as well as the caffeinated boost this roasted bean gives morning or night, black or with cream and sugar. Hot or cold it provides enjoyment even when decaffeinated!
COFFEE HISTORY
Many legendary accounts tell how coffee first came to be. However, the earliest credible evidence of either coffee drinking or the knowledge of the coffee tree appears in the middle of the 15th century in the Sufi monasteries around Mokha in Yemen. Here, monks first roasted coffee seeds and brewed coffee, much like we prepare them today. Yemeni traders brought coffee back to their homeland from Ethiopia and began to cultivate the seed.
In 1670, Baba Budan smuggled coffee seeds out of the Middle East by strapping seven seeds onto his chest. The first plants grown from these stowed away seeds were planted in Mysore. Coffee later spread to Italy and the rest of Europe, Indonesia, and the Americas.
While Brazil produces more coffee in the world than any other country, Colombia closely follows. Also, more than 50 countries around the world grow coffee, too. As a result, we choose from a bountiful selection of flavors for the indulgence of steamy cups of the black drink for connoisseurs to consume.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL COFFEE DAY.
Enjoy a cup or two of your favorite coffee. Here is a Coffee Brewing Guide to help create your own. Want to learn more about Coffee History? We’ve collected 11 Historic Coffee Milestones for you to savor. Use #NationalCoffeeDay to post on social media.
Get your official National Day Calendar® Celebrate Every Day® coffee by ordering today! We have four different roasts ready to satisfy every coffee celebration all year long!
Visit the Celebration Deals page for a listing of the best offers across the country.
NATIONAL COFFEE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching this tasty national beverage holiday.
Coffee FAQ
Q. How long does the caffeine in coffee stay in my body? A. Caffeine from coffee (or any caffeinated beverage) can remain in the body for up to 6 hours after consumption. While it may seem it’s effects have worn off, a cup of coffee consumed at 5 pm can still cause difficultly falling asleep if you like to go to bed early.
Q. What other beverages contain caffeine? A. Sodas, black, white, and green teas, chocolate beverages, and energy drinks contain caffeine.
Q. Is caffeine a natural substance? A. Yes, caffeine is a natural substance, but some products contain synthetic caffeine. Coffee is a natural source of caffeine. While there is no noted difference between natural and synthetic caffeine (according to Andy the RD), products that contain synthetic caffeine also tend to be loaded with sugar or other sweeteners.
September 29th Celebrated History
1914
U.S. patent No. 1111999 is granted to Thomas Edison for the phonograph record.
1923
The Amateur Athletic Union admitted women to the track & field championships for the first time.
1954
European leaders sign the convention establishing the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
1975
The first African-American-owned and operated television station begins broadcasting in Detroit, MI.
1976
“Kiss my grits!” The television sitcom Alice debuts on CBS.
1988
NASA launches the space shuttle Discovery from Cape Canaveral, FL. It is the organization’s first manned flight since the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986.
2017
“Quack, quack!” Het Poetsbureau set a world record when 1,476 people folded towels into the shape of a duck, setting the record for the most people making towel animals. The professional cleaning service, based in Antwerp, Belgium, hosted the event in Hasselt, Belgium.
2006
The world’s largest popcorn ball weighs in at 3,423 pounds breaking the previous world record. The brainchild of Tim Hopkins of The Popcorn Factory in Lake Forest, IL, the popcorn ball took only eight hours to build. However, from the initial concept to completion took several weeks of planning.
September 29th Celebrated Birthdays
Caroline Yale – 1848
Yale became a leader in deaf education during her tenure at the Clarke School for the Deaf. She developed a system of phonetic symbols, improving upon the system created by Alexander Melville Bell. She also established training programs and established the American Association to Promote the Teaching of Speech to the Deaf.
László Bíró – 1899
The Hungarian journalist invented the modern ballpoint pen.
John Heysham Gibbon – 1903
The surgeon is best-known for inventing the first heart-lung machine. Gibbon would later perform the first successful open-heart surgery on a patient using the heart-lung machine.
George W. Jenkins – 1907
In 1930, the American businessman founded Publix Super Markets.
Paul Beattie MacCready – 1925
The founder of AeroVironment also designed human-powered aircraft such as the Gossamer Condor and Gossamer Albatross. The latter crossed the English Channel in 1979.
Margaret Russo – 1931
The shortstop played five seasons in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. She was nominated to the All-Star team twice during her career. Following her baseball career, she pursued a career in physical education.
Bryant Gumbel – 1948
The Emmy-winning television journalist co-hosted the Today show from 1982 to 1997. In 1995, he also began sportscasting for HBO.
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