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

HOLY WEEK continues with Holy Tuesday.  Yesterday, Jesus had cursed a fig tree for not having any fruit.  Today, as his disciples walk by, they notice the tree is already withered.  They ask Him how this is possible, He tells them, “Truly, I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain,’ Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

 NATIONAL EDUCATION AND SHARING DAY honors the life and work of Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.  He believed that education went beyond academics and that it was for everyone.  With an emphasis on learning and morality he established several learning institutions in this country and around the world.

Next, we celebrate those who tend to walk their own path with NATIONAL ONLY CHILD DAY.  Having no brothers and sisters has its advantages and disadvantages – you get all the attention – but sometimes you may not want it.  Some famous only children: Robin Williams, Betty White, Drew Barrymore, Samuel Jackson, Tiger Woods, Chelsea Clinton, Charles Lindbergh and Ryan Cox.

NATIONAL BIG WIND DAY blows in to remember a record-breaking gust.  In 1934, at Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire, wind speeds were recorded at 231 mph.  That’ll sweep ya off your feet.

The Honolulu Sea Hawkers started NATIONAL FOR TWELVES DAY to show their appreciation for the 12^th player on the team – you – the football fan.  Any sports fanatic can celebrate and revel in the idea that they can be part of the team – for the day.

I could go into the history of NATIONAL GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH DAY but instead of boring you, just head into the kitchen, heat up the griddle and lay down butter, bread, cheese, cheese, bread and butter – then flip. Make it light brown on the outside and gooey on the inside. Some people work in mayo, but that’s a trick beyond me.  Here’s one for ya – butter, bread, pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, cheese, pizza sauce, bread and butter – flip.

This one’s for you Dad – NATIONAL LICORICE DAY.  Extracted from the licorice plant, this particular flavor was first used as a medicine.  Put into teas, drinks and of course, candy, it can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt.  My Dad loved black licorice and I think it is a good day to enjoy some.

On this day…

 1861 – Fort Sumter is fired upon by Confederate forces – signifying the start of the Civil War

1955 – Dr.’s Jonas Salk and Thomas Francis Jr. announce, from the University of Michigan, that the polio vaccine is 90% effective in preventing paralytic polio

1961 – Yuri Gagarin is the first person to go into space – he orbited the Earth, re-entered the atmosphere, parachuted out of his spacecraft and landed safely on the ground – I wanna do that

1981 – The Space Shuttle is launched for the first time

Happy Birthday to…

Imogen Cunningham – 1883 – helped to shed new light into the world of photography

Beverly Cleary – 1916 – introduced us to Ralph the Mouse and Henry Higgins in her children’s books

Peter Safar – 1924 – gave us the procedure known as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

David Letterman – 1947 – gave us a lotta entertaining late nights

Tom Clancy – 1949 – gives us a lotta thrilling moments with his spy novels

Enjoy the day and make it your own

 Most Gracious God, we are hearing less and less about the pandemic and we thank you for the diminishing of this pandemic.  There are still people suffering from it and we ask that you would heal them and shower them with your love and peace.  I ask this in your name, Jesus, Amen.

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