January 1, 2014 is Ellis Island Day

     The gateway to America for some 12 million future Americans between 1892 and 1954 Ellis Island stands as a symbol of our roots.  Truly about one-third of the population today can trace their ancestry to immigrants who first arrived in America through Ellis Island before dispersing to other parts of the country.    The station opened with a celebration on January 1, 1892 and processed almost 450,000 immigrants in the first year.  In November of 1954 the station was closed and it wasn't until October of 1966 that it was recognized as on the National Register of Historic Places.

     Celebration ideas for today can include finding out more about your own ancestry and starting a family tree.  Get together with the family and make a dinner of some old family recipes, pull out the old photos and make sure to label them so generations to come will know who they are.

Everydays_A_Holiday

February 22 ~ Happy World Thinking Day

Happy World Thinking Day February 22 by Everydays_A_Holiday
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    World Thinking Day is a Girl Scout holiday.  Each year the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts designates a theme for World Thinking Day, and the activities for the guides and scouts are focused on that theme.  February 22nd was chosen for this holiday because it is the birthday of scout founder Robert Baden-Powell and his wife Olave Baden-Powell.

     No, my thoughtful gorilla has nothing to do with Girl Scouting, but why should they have all the fun... Everyone should be allowed to think on Thinking Day!

International Mother Language Day ~ February 21

This holiday was founded by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a specialized agency of the United Nations.  The idea of this day is to promote awareness of cultural diversity and multilingualism.
For many of us in the United States, English is our only language and the only language we grew up hearing.  But we don't have to be bored today or feel sorry for ourselves.  Unless you are a Native American (in which case your Mother Language is the native language of your tribe) your ancestors came for somewhere....
Today's the perfect day to begin to learn a new language.  Perhaps the language of your ancestors, or maybe just the language you've always wanted to know.

Use your new skills and plan for that trip you've always dreamed of...

Happy National Cherry Pie Day ~ February 20

National Cherry Pie Day February 20 by Everydays_A_Holiday
Browse Pie Aprons

I suspect the reason for Cherry Pie Day at this time of year has something to do with the old story about George Washington chopping down a cherry tree. 

If you do decide to make a home made cherry pie today don't forget the apron and this sweet gadget I found at GadgetTown.com.

Pulling out that oven rack will never worry you again. And they are so unique looking people will wonder what they are.  You can't see it, but there is a magnet on the back so they'll stay handy attached right to the stove.


Need a good recipe now?  Recipe.com is celebrating "National Cherry Month" so pop over there for some great recipes using cherries.


And it you want the pie but not the work...

Happy Kazoo Day ~ January 28

Learn everything you need to know about Kazoos and even buy your very own at Kazoobie Kazoos.

Or visit Amazon for one of these...

  

Or find other great toys here...

Happy Chocolate Cake Day ~ January 27

YES!!!!

Here's a recipe for you from MyRecipes.com.  Looks super yummy...

Just the mention of chocolate cake makes me think of this old skit by Bill Cosby... I may not always agree with his politics, but I have to admit this always make me laugh...

Happy Australia Day ~ January 26

Australia Day January 26 by Everydays_A_Holiday
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So, Australia day isn't an odd holiday if you're Australian...but for those of us that aren't it's a great "crazy holiday" and reason to celebrate. I think I'll watch Crocodile Dundee and put some shrimp on the barbie.

View more personalized gifts from Zazzle.

January 25 ~ National Irish Coffee Day

How To Make an Irish Coffee on Howcast

Happy Beer Can Appreciation Day ~ January 24

This day is celebrated because it marks the day that beer was first sold in cans in 1935...or so they say.  I'm sure for my beer drinking readers it's a good enough reason to enjoy a frosty brewsky no matter what container it comes in.

If canned beer is your thing, you may want to get this handy holster so your favorite beverage is always within reach...

Or how about one of those funny hats...

And not that I'm encouraging drinking and driving, but I thought this bumper sticker is a must have warning label...

This one brings back some memories... My Dad, who was a beer drinker in his younger days, liked this song when I was a kid...

Happy Penguin Awareness Day ~ January 20

View more personalized gifts from Zazzle.

For those of you who are not sure, yes penguins are birds. There are 17 to 20 different species of penguins, all living in the southern hemisphere, with major populations in Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and South Africa.

Movies like March of the Penguins and Happy Feet have made the penguin a star in modern culture.

    

One of the reasons they are such an easy creature to love is their resemblence to humams...walking upright with a funny waddle and coloring that reminds of us a tuxedo...

Whether they are favorite of yours or not, you have to admit they do have their charms.. 

January 19 ~ Happy Tin Can Day

I've read that the reason today is Tin Can Day is that in 1825, on this day, the US patent to store food in tin cans was awarded to Ezra Daggett and his nephew Thomas Kensett.  However, if you look up the history of the tin can you will find that the can itself was patented in 1810 by Peter Durand.  


No matter...the can itself is reason enough to celebrate.  For everything you ever wanted to know about the tin can, click on the image above to be directed to Wikipedia.


Looking for something to do today to honor the humble tin can....  Check out some of these great crafty ideas...

At HGTV.com

At Crafty Suzanne

At bystephanielynn.com

At 1800recycling.com

And if you're feeling real ambitious...

Happy(Blissful) Thesaurus Day(sunrise-to-sunset) ~ January 18

If you're not really sure what a thesaurus is then you probably need on of these...
 













No, it has nothing(zilch) to do with dinosaurs(extinct creatures). The thesaurus(treasury of words) is a writer's best(unparalleled) friend(comrade), finding better(superior) ways to express(convey an idea by using a different(alternate) word with the same or similar(comparable) definition.  If you're not inclined(predisposed) to buy(purchase) a paper version, the Internet version Thesaurus.com is a great(outstanding) alternative.

January 17 ~ Hot Buttered Rum Day

You know what you have to do today...Buy a bottle of Rum, make yourself a "hot buttered rum" and relax...  Don't you just love these holidays?

The basic recipe can be found at Cocktail Times... 
 

Or find a recipe in one of these...
 

Don't feel like making your own... Try a mix or ready made...

If you like the idea of relaxing with that warm comforting smell, but don't really care to drink you can always light a candle and be instantly relaxed with just the aroma...  Found these hand made votives by WoodcraftsandCandles on Etsy, one of my favorite sites..

That's all I've got for you today... Cheers!!!  

"Why is the rum gone?"

Hot and Spicy Food Day ~ January 16

Happy Hot & Spicy Food Day Apron January 16 by Everydays_A_Holiday
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Just so we don't get too confused, today is "International" Hot and Spicy Food Day.  I did find some references to the fact that there is also a "National" Hot and Spicy" Food Day in August, but those of us that love spicy food won't mind at all if we need to celebrate twice a year.

When we think "hot" - we think of peppers...and I found this visual guide to hot pepper to help you decide just how hot you like your peppers.  Pick a pepper today...and have a spicy day!

January 15 ~ National Hat Day

National Hat Day January 15 by Everydays_A_Holiday
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To find out more about hats and vote for the "Hat Person of the Year" visit The Headwear Association's website.  

To celebrate today, wear your best chapeau. And if you don't have one, today's a good day to go out and buy one...

and for those of you that would love to learn how to make your own fabulous fashion hats...

Dress up your Pet Day ~ January 14

I have to say that I'm not one to dress my pets, but for those of you who do, today is a great day to buy them a new outfit.   The photos below will link you to a variety of places you can find fun fashions for your furry friends...

Duke and Fritz

Cat Prin

Paw Palace

Posh Pet Glamour Boutique

Little Pampered Pets

January 13 ~ Rubber Ducky Day

Who could not be happy on Rubber Ducky Day???

I didn't find any reason why January 13th in particular is "Rubber Ducky" day, but who cares...it's time for a bath and some fun with my ducky!!!

Rubber ducks have come a long way since their creation...you can now find them dressed in all sorts of costumes to fit your personality...

 

January 12 ~ National Pharmacist Day

The facts about this day are pretty much confirmed... no one knows who invented it, no one can say why it's on January 12th, and it isn't actually a "National" holiday which needs to be declared by Congress.  In any event, many sites dedicated to pharmacists and pharmaceuticals recognize the day as an important holiday.

I found this pharmacist job description on YouTube...it seems a little bit simplified, but you'll get the idea.

It's a good day to stop by your pharmacy and thank the staff behind the counter for all of their hard work and dedication.

Happy Milk Day ~ January 11

Moooooo!!!!

It is believed that today is Milk Day to commemorate January 11th as the first day milk was delivered in bottles.  Previously the milk wagon would have come around with large cans and the customers would have to transfer their milk into their own containers, usually open pails.

There is some controversy about the validity of the date, and there are several other days of the year dedicated to this wholesome beverage, but for today pour yourself a tall glass of ice cold milk and enjoy! 

January 10 ~ Happy Birthday Pat Benatar

When it involves the birthday of a musician that I like I can't resist falling back on giving you some tunes and giving my typing fingers a rest....

Get your own....