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

The Nystagmus Network founded NATIONAL NYSTAGMUS AWARENESS DAY to highlight this condition, and to bring funding, research and education about this malady of the eyes.  Nystagmus can cause the eyes to drift or to “wobble” and can lead to serious vision problems later on.  Approximately 1 in 1,000 babies are born with it, and adults are susceptible as well.  Let’s see what we can do to wipe this disease out.

AMERICAN EAGLE DAY celebrates our national symbol.  Once upon a time they were on the endangered list, but their numbers have since recovered.  We certainly don’t want to lose these majestic creatures to stupidity and carelessness.

I would have to say that anyone who works on or with computers could be called a geek.  Since all of us have phones – with computers – we could all be called geeks.  That really is a good thing as today is NATIONAL HIKE WITH A GEEK DAY.  So get out there and hit the trail – just don’t forget the GPS, compass and emergency communication device – your phone.

NATIONAL KOUIGN-AMANN DAY celebrates the pasty from Brittany.  It has both French and Welsh origins and is relatively new to the U.S.  Flour, butter and sugar are all you need to whip up some of these light pastries and adding some of your favorite flavors to the basic recipe is certainly allowed.

In Petaluma California, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, a contest is held to determine the least unphotogenic pooch.  UGLIEST DOG DAY celebrates this occasion and all dogs that may not win any beauty pageants.  I don’t know how they can judge this as anything that might make a dog less attractive usually makes them more adorable.  Anyway, the winner of this contest gets $1,000 and a trip to New York City. 

NATIONAL ICE CREAM SODA DAY and NATIONAL VANILLA MILKSHAKE DAY are pretty close, but there is no reason you have to choose between them.  On these hot days, no one can blame you for wanting to cool off and if you need both of these sweet treats to do so – so be it.

On this day…

1893 – Lizzie Borden is acquitted of her father and step-mothers murders

1903 – Barney Oldfield is the first driver to hit a mile a minute at the Indy track

1963 – The U.S. and the Soviet Union agree to establish a nuclear hotline – to reduce the risk of war occurring due to accidents or miscalculations

1975 – “Jaws” encourages us to stay out of the water

1980 – The Blues Brothers decide they are ready to hit it with “a full tank of gas, a half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark…and we’re wearing sunglasses”

2003 – Jimmy Wales founds Wikipedia

Happy Birthday to…

Our first Aussie birthday today – After he was kicked out of all the best schools, he worked on a plantation and in a gold mine before becoming the Big Screens most handsome swashbuckler

She was the first Native-American female to join the Marines

One of the most decorated soldiers of WWII, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor before turning to a career of acting

Before this singer, songwriter, and producer had us dancing on the ceiling, he was a Commodore

St. Louisan known for his roles in the Big Lebowski and playing Roseanne’s husband – Dan

Our other Aussie for today has earned all the awards – Academy, Emmy and Golden Globe

Enjoy the day and make it your own

Dear Heavenly Father, we look to you for guidance, peace and healing.  Please end the suffering brought on by COVID, help our friend to heal from cancer and may You continue to bless us. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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