Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Picnic Day: How to Pack for a Picnic
It’s time to get out of the house and enjoy Mother Nature. Grab a blanket, a basket and a few goodies – it’s National Picnic Day! Not to be confused with National Panic Day, this annual holiday takes place every April 23, the day after Earth Day. While the origins of this particular holiday are unknown, picnics are about good food, fine drinks and fabulous company. Whether you visit a National Park or a secluded meadow in your neck of the woods, today’s the day to turn off th
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Earth Day tips: Go green, save money and help the planet
April 22 is Earth Day, an annual event that shines the spotlight on the plight of the planet and helps raise awareness about environmental issues we face today. First observed in 1970, Earth Day has evolved into a worldwide event celebrated by approximately 1 billion people in nearly 200 countries. The Great Climate Change Debate While some refuse to acknowledge climate change exists, most respected scientists and scientific agencies including NASA and NOAA, believe the effec
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Easter
Go grab your finest duds and decorated bonnets. Whether you plan on celebrating by attending a sunrise service, enjoying an elegant brunch with family, attending a parade or participating in a fun hunting adventure, Easter is finally here! As millions around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, children from near and far are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the world’s most famous hare. Get ready to hippity hoppity, folks. The Easter Bunny is on the way! Whi
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Easter Bunny facts: Eggciting Easter Bunny FAQs you never knew
Have you heard the "eggciting" news? With the big Easter holiday right around the corner, a very special rabbit will soon be hippity hopping into your neighborhood. Children around the country are waiting for the annual visit from their favorite rabbit - the Easter Bunny. Easter Bunny FAQs Although we can't be certain, it's believed the Easter Bunny made his first visit to America in the 1700s. While we all know Santa Claus lives in the North Pole, the Easter Bunny lives in a
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Keep Off the Grass Day
April 21 is Keep Off the Grass Day, an annual event created by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, freelance writer and "Queen of Holidays," who has spent over a decade covering all sorts of traditional, unusual and downright wacky holidays. While "Keep Off the Grass" can mean different things to different folks, this green holiday is observed in between two momentous events. Keep Off the Grass Day is held one day before Earth Day and one day after National Pot Smoking Day, the popular
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Lima Bean Respect Day: Little Legumes Need Respect
While many people around the world celebrate white chocolate, pecan pie and hot dog days, believe it or not, April 20th is Lima Bean Respect Day. Named after Lima, Peru, Lima beans are green in color and large and flat. Rich in fiber, iron, these tasty have a buttery flavor. If you have never tried Lima beans, here's your chance! Love 'em or hate 'em, the little legumes deserve to be respected, right?
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Weed Day: 420 marijuana ‘holidaze’ is literally going to pot
Have you heard the latest "buzz?" A “highly” anticipated global event is here and folks around the world are more than ready to celebrate. (Parents and baby-boomers take note – your kids may know more about this occasion than you do!) This annual holiday is going to pot – literally. April 20 is one of the most popular “holidaze” celebrated by marijuana enthusiasts far and wide. It’s National Pot Smokers Day, also “refer-ed” to 420, 4/20 Day, National Pot Smoking Day, Weed Day
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Garlic Day
When it comes to tasty holidays, April 19 has something everyone will enjoy! Not only is it National Amaretto Day, it is also National Garlic Day! A member of the onion family, Allium sativum has been used for thousands of years to flavor foods, ward off evil spirits and vampires and for medicinal purposes. Many believe garlic helps prevent heart disease, lowers blood pressure, fights cancer, and wards off the common cold and flu. Garlic can be eaten raw, cooked or baked or i
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Amaretto Day
Whether you prefer yours on the rocks, in coffee, in a decadent dessert or all by itself, today celebrates the popular Italian liqueur with a hint of almond flavoring. April 19 is National Amaretto Day. While Amaretto is relatively new to the United States, the liqueur has been enjoyed around the world for centuries. Legend has it that back in 1525, artist Bernadino Luini was commissioned to paint a fresco of the Madonna of the Miracles in Italy. A beautiful innkeeper was cho
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Pet Owner's Independence Day: 'Howliday' reverses roles with Fido & Fluffy
When it comes to holidays, April 18 is all about animals. Besides National Animal Crackers Day, it's also Pet Owner's Independence Day! Whether you have a fabulous feline, curious canine, bird, lizard or another beloved pet in your household, have you ever wondered what it is they do all day and all night long? While many of us lead busy and hectic lives, life may not be too "ruff" for Fido & Fluffy! If you think your pooch or kitty has it pretty darn easy, today is the "pur
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Animal Crackers Day: Celebrate the Animal-Shaped Treats We Love to Eat
When it comes to "howlidays," April 18 has gone to the dogs, cats, tigers, lions and bears - oh my! If you're in the mood for a sweet treat to eat, you're in luck. But just don't bite my head off! Not only is today Pet Owner's Independence Day, April 18 is also National Animal Crackers Day, an annual food holiday dedicated to those crunchy animal-shaped crackers/cookies we love to eat. "Animals" were popular snacks in England back in the 1800s. While American bakers soon foll
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Malbec World Day: Grab the corkscrew and raise your wine glass
Have you heard the latest “buzz?” A very refreshing day of the year is almost here and folks around the world are ready to celebrate! Go grab the corkscrew and get ready to raise your glass. April 17 is Malbec World Day (MWD), also referred to as World Malbec Day, an annual holiday dedicated to the delightful Malbec wine. It was on this day in 1853, Argentina’s wine industry changed forever. While originating in France and now grown in various regions of the world, Argentina
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Cheeseball Day
You say cheeesball, others say cheese ball! April 17 is National Cheeseball Day. While the origins of this food holiday are unknown, people have been devouring these delicious snacks for years. Regardless of how you spell it, there are actually two types of cheese balls. The delightful crunchy, cheesy bite-sized balls of bright orange goodness are airy snacks loved by both children and adults alike. People dip right into the second type of cheese ball. Often made out of
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Stress Awareness Day: Relax
Let’s face it. Many Americans are overworked, underpaid and just plain stressed out. Between work – if you happen to have a job – the kids, a slew of activities, never-ending errands, church and housework, there is little time in the day to kick back and enjoy! April 16 is National Stress Awareness Day (NSAD), an annual “holiday” launched by the Health Resource Network in 1992. Coincidentally, National Stress Awareness Day usually occurs one day after Income Tax Day. And spea
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Titanic Remembrance Day: 1,500 people perished on a ship that couldn't sink
April 15 commemorates a tragic event that happened more than 100 years ago. On this day in 1912, an unsinkable ship, sank. April 15 is Titanic Remembrance Day, an annual observance that pays homage to lives lost in one of the deadliest maritime disasters of all time. At 11:40 p.m. on April 14, 1912, the ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic struck an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean. Within a matter of hours, the magnificent luxury liner that could not sink, sank to the bottom of the sea on
