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

It’s a busy day – so let’s start off with NATIONAL MIMOSA DAY.  No better breakfast than waffles, bacon, orange juice and champagne.  Any orange juice will do as well as any champagne, no need to get too fancy.  After the dishes are finished step outside and embrace nature with NATIONAL LOVE A TREE DAY.  Appreciating these majestic wonders that provide us with oxygen is not hard to do.  If you want to go as far as hugging a tree, for today, it’s ok.  Maybe find a shady spot, grab a book and celebrate NATIONAL BIOGRAPHER’S DAY.  Whether it’s an autobiography or a well-respected person’s story pick a good one and enjoy it.  NATIONAL DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR DAY may bring out the best in us as well as improve community relations.  One way to do this is to celebrate NATIONAL BARBECUE DAY.  Nothing brings people together like the smell of that smoke, the tangy taste and the all-around good vibes that only come from the grill. If the outdoorsy grillin’ thing is not for you, opt for the fancier choice with NATIONAL COQUILLES SAINT JACQUES DAY.  Scallops covered in bread crumbs and cheese, simmered in a wine sauce along with mushrooms and cream will take dinner to the next level.  If you are so inclined, head out after dinner, hit the mall or your local tattoo parlor and celebrate NATIONAL PIERCING DAY.  With the huge variety of jewelry and plenty of places to stick them, there are plenty of ways for the piercing enthusiast to celebrate.  Now we come to the end of the day, when it’s time to relax.  What better way than to gaze into the aquarium and admire NATIONAL SEAMONKEY DAY.  Yep, the same entertaining, seemingly live, sea monkeys sold in the back of comic books actually have a day.  You would buy the eggs, watch them hatch and then they would bob up and down in the water.  Sea monkeys actually made it into space with John Glenn aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.  That’s it for the day and I thank you for joining me. May all of you have a wonderful evening.

On this day…

1866 – Congress passes legislation to mint a 5-cent coin – replacing the 5-cent paper money

1929 – The first Academy Awards ceremony is held in Los Angeles

1986 – “Top Gun” soars into theaters

1988 – The Surgeon General reports that nicotine in tobacco is addictive – as much as cocaine and heroin

2014 – Barbara Walters signs off for the last time

Happy Birthday to…

Elizabeth Palmer Peabody – 1804 – Opened the first English-speaking kindergarten in the U.S.

Henry Fonda – 1905 – Academy Award winning actor who was in everything from “Grapes of Wrath” to “On Golden Pond” and a Hollywood icon

Wladziu Valentino Liberace – 1919 – Flamboyant entertainer and pretty good piano player

Pierce Brosnan – 1953 – From Remington Steele to 007, he brings the British in a stylish way (even though he’s Irish)

Olga Korbut – 1955 – Three-time Olympic Gold Medal winner

Janet Jackson – 1966 – Singer, songwriter, performer, Grammy Award winner and baby of the famous family

Enjoy the day and make it your own

LORD, we thank you for this day, for your blessings and for life itself.  Watch over these beautiful people and please hold our dear friend in your arms as she battles her cancer.  I ask this in your name, Jesus, Amen.

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