Most of us think of holidays as one of those few days our employer actually pays us to stay home. We all know the big ones: New Year's, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas. And yes, some employers are a little more generous but most likely you'll have no more than 7 days a year that you consider a holiday. Depending on your religious beliefs you may add a few more to that annual list, and find that you're up to a dozen or so.
For a day to be considered a "National Holiday" it needs to be declared so by Congress. And then of course we have the "commercial holidays" that we all love, which in effect are simply days that have become popular over the years. We all love them, but for some of us that just isn't enough. Organizations, corporation, and even loosely connected groups of people can "declare" a day for any reason they choose. Some of these days catch on and become popular with the general population, some remain only recognized by their creator, and some fizzle out and become a mere memory after only a year or two.
The point is - Every day, somewhere someone is celebrating something.

Monday, September 13, 2010

September 13, 2010 ~ National Peanut Day

Pea-Nutty Facts and Fictions:
  • Peanuts are not really nuts, they are legumes-related to beans and lentils.
  • Astronaut Allen Sheppard brought a peanut with him to the moon.
  • Peanut growth cycle from planting to harvest is about 5 months.
  • The peanut plant originated in South America.
  • Peanuts are naturally cholesterol free.
  • The world's largest peanut was 4 inches long, grown in North Carolina by Earl Atkins.
  • One out of every 90 people in the US suffers from a peanut allergy.
  • The US produces about 6% of the world peanut crop.
  • 20% of the world's peanut production is used in candy.
  • Two US Presidents have been peanut farmers: Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter.
  • The official state crop of Georgia is the peanut, Georgia is the number one producer of peanuts in the US.
  • Peanut shells can be used in the manufacture of wallboard, fireplace logs, roughage for livestock feed and kitty litter. 
  • Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth.
  • The term "peanut gallery" became popular in the late 19th century.  It referred to the "cheap seats" in the theater where audience members would throw peanuts, a common theater food at the people in the more expensive seats or at the performers to express their dissatisfaction with the performance. 
  
Make sure you go out an get yourself some peanuts today!!!  What you don't eat yourself, you can save for Elephant Appreciation Day!

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