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.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

In 1777 Congress adopted our first official flag.  NATIONAL FLAG DAY honors our standard and emblem that identifies our great country.  The design has changed 26 times since then, but the meaning and respect given to it have never wavered.  If you fly the flag, remember to never let it touch the ground, never fly any other flag higher, and only leave it out 24 hours if there is a dedicated light for it and it is an all-weather flag. Happy Birthday to Old Glory!!

Military Honors

When Massachusetts militiamen and British soldiers started shooting at each other, soldiers from Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire rushed to their aid.  It was soon realized that more forces would be needed so the other 9 colonies responded with their volunteers and the Continental Army was formed.  It was on this day in 1775, that the Army was officially created to fight the Revolutionary War.  This, the largest of the military branches, has grown from 48,000 to over 2 million soldiers dedicated to serving our country. Their motto, “This we’ll defend”, says it all.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARMY! HOOAH!

Celebrate You with…

INTERNATIONAL BATH DAY encourages cleanliness with suds – whether that’s soap or having a beer while bathing.  Supposedly on this day around 200 BCE, Archimedes discovered you could determine the volume of an object by submerging it in water.  He got so excited, he jumped out of the tub and ran down the street yelling Eureka! Eureka!  I wonder if the person who figured out this historical date, did the same thing.

Education and Information

WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY falls on the birthday of Karl Landsteiner – the guy who came up with the blood-type identification system.  We all know how important blood donating is, so if you can, schedule an appointment and help save some lives.

For Fun

Are you in need of a new summer wardrobe?  NATIONAL OUTLET SHOPPING DAY gives you the excuse you need to get your shop on.  Find one of those huge outlet malls, plan on spending a few hours and a few bucks and have fun.

WORLD JUGGLING DAY can be a balancing act.  It looks complex but if you break it down step by step – anyone can do it. The best way is to start off with three pair of rolled up socks – that way, they won’t bounce all over when they hit the floor.  Start by tossing one pair from one hand to another.  Sounds easy, but practice doing it without moving your arms and just flicking your hands until you get the sock to land in your other hand without moving it. Once you can go from one hand to the other, add the second pair.  This is the crux of juggling – if you can master this move, you can juggle.  Holding a pair of socks in each hand, toss one to the other hand, like you’ve been doing.  Before it lands, toss the second pair under it, then catching the first, followed by catching the second.  Once you can throw and catch both ways doing this, all you have to do is add the third pair and keep it going. And, of course, practice, practice, practice.

MONKEY AROUND DAY encourages us to not take ourselves and life too seriously.  So, at the appropriate time and place, let loose, have fun, and go bananas.

Don’t know why, but today is NATIONAL POP GOES THE WEASEL DAY.  So, if you want to celebrate and get this nursery rhyme stuck in your head – go for it.

Belly up to the Bar

Let’s pour a glass to America’s Official Spirit on NATIONAL BOURBON DAY.  This smooth drink must be made from 51% corn, stored in new charred-oak barrels, distilled at no more than 160 proof and ensured that it is no more than 125 proof in the barrel – to be considered true bourbon.  Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Evan Williams are just some of the favs – along with Wild Turkey, Makers Mark, and my dad’s go-to – Old Crow.

Let’s raise a glass to NATIONAL ROSÉ DAY.  Rosé is enjoyed by many as it is a sweeter wine with a light body and pairs with most foods.  Those who are fans of this vintage like to say “Rosé every day”.

WORLD GIN DAY wants to know where the tonic is. 

On Today’s Menu…

Our dessert of the day is a real summer treat.  NATIONAL STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DAY once again brings the sweetness of strawberries but this time they are on top of little sponge cakes.  Biscuits will do in a pinch but just make sure and top it off with whipped cream – that’s what I’m talkin’ about.

Sneak Peek at Tomorrow’s Events and Celebrations

Father’s Day

Smile Power Day

Turkey Lovers Day

National Prune Day

Sneak a Kiss Day

Megalodon Day

Nature Photography Day

On this day…

1775 – Congress officially creates our Army – see above

1777 – Congress officially adopts our flag – see above

1846 – A group of American settlers in Mexican controlled California rush the annexation of the state by winning small skirmishes with Mexican Forces.  Led by John C. Fremont, they captured the Presidio in San Francisco only to learn, six days later, that the whole state now belonged to the U.S.  Known as the “Bear Flaggers”, their flag with a bear and a red star was adopted by the state of California

1919 – Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown begin the first non-stop Trans-Atlantic Flight – does non-stop have to be part of the description – where were they gonna stop?

1954 – The words “under God” are added to the Pledge of Allegiance

2009 – Coach Phil Jackson gets the slam dunk for leading the LA Lakers to a record-setting 10^th NBA Championship

Happy Birthday to…

Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.   Matthew 5:7-8

Enjoy the day and make it your own

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

#ArmyBirthday #WorldBloodDonorDay #FlagDay #StrawberryShortcakeDay #MonkeyAroundDay#OutletShoppingDay #JugglingDay #NationalRoseDay #WorldGinDay  #NationalBourbonDay #InternationalBathDay #PopGoestheWeaselDay #Enjoythedayandmakeityourown

Happy Birthday to #HarrietBeecherStowe #KarlLandsteiner #IdaMacLean #FredBaur #DonaldTrump #KingDiamond #EricHeiden #BoyGeorge #SteffiGraf