I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Events and Celebrations

Wear your blue today for WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY.  This calls attention to a disorder that we learn more and more about every day.  It is a bio-neurological disorder that shows up in a myriad of symptoms including: social interaction, communication, and repetitive behavior.  In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association arranged all autistic behavior onto a “spectrum”.  Let’s keep working to unlock the secrets behind this disorder.  You can visit the National Autism Awareness website to learn more.

NATIONAL LOVE YOUR CHILDREN DAY is celebrated every day, but on April, 2, the focus is on the prevention of child abuse.  Abuse and neglect is something no child should ever have to face, but regrettably it happens.  You can go to Love Our Children USA, the founders of this day, to learn what you can do to help.  In the meantime, make sure you let the kiddos know that they matter and that you are there for them.

All I have to say about INTERNATIONAL FACT-CHECKING DAY is who is checking the checkers?  Seriously, though, we are in desperate need of truth today.  Opinions are fine, just tell us if you actually know something or are talking out your own checker.

Ok, for all of you crafty people out there we have NATIONAL HANDMADE DAY.  Scratch Farm founded this day to celebrate all that is hand and home made.  From arts and crafts to delicious cooking to intricate wood working, if you create, carve, glue, tinker or cook, this day is for you.

Let’s scamper on to NATIONAL FERRET DAY.  These furry weasels were domesticated to furrow out pests and varmints that would ruin the crops.  Today, this social animal does make for a good pet, as long as you can put up with their odor, their penchant for shiny objects and their mischievousness.  I think, for now, though, I will stick with dogs.

If you are hungry after reading all of this, celebrate NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY.  This awesome sandwich has been around since at least the early 1900’s and the original design is still just as good.  It has to be grape jelly though (for me), and if you can put pretzel sticks in the middle – so much the better (once again, for me).  Don’t judge – just enjoy one today.

On this day…

1513 – Ponce De Leon “discovers” Florida and claims it for Spain while searching for the Fountain of Youth

1917 – Jeanette Rankin starts her term in the House of Representatives as the first woman elected to Congress

1968 – HAL and “2001: A Space Odyssey” premiere in Washington D.C.

1986 – The NCAA adopts the 3-point shot for college basketball

1992 – Mob boss John Gotti is convicted of 13 counts including racketeering and murder

2005 – Pope John Paul II – the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years – passes away

Happy Birthday to…

 Hans Christian Anderson – 1805 – writer of fantastic tales

Walter Chrysler – 1875 – Started the number 3 in the big three automakers – also has a building in New York City named after him.  At the time, he made it the tallest building on the NYC skyline, until his rival, Pierre Dupont, President of General Motors, helped build the Empire State Building

Buddy Ebsen – 1908 – Barnaby Jones and Jed Clampett all rolled into one

Alec Guinness – 1914 – British actor with a lot of range – including the original Obi-Wan

Charles White – 1918 – very talented artist – told us the story of Black America through art

Marvin Gaye – 1939 – “The Prince of Motown” – so smooth

Emmylou Harris – 1947 – Award winning country artist

Enjoy the day and make it your own

 We give thanks to you Almighty LORD for your love, blessings and wisdom.  Please rid this world of COVID and war. May Russia halt its aggression and the Ukraine people be protected.  Heal all those who are suffering and let them know you are with them.  I ask this in your powerful name, Jesus, Amen.

Thank you to National Day Calendar; National Today; History.com; Britannica.com; Wikipedia