Oct. 21 celebrates the “invention” of one of the tastiest snacks around. Oct. 21 is International Day of the Nacho! This annual food holiday celebrates Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya, the "Father of the Nacho." In 1943, some military wives headed to the Mexican town of Piedras Negras, across the border from a military base in Eagle Pass, Texas, and headed to a popular restaurant. Legend has it that Maitre D, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya, greeted the gals at the door but could not find the cook. He headed to the kitchen and whipped up a dish consisting of tortillas and covered them with Wisconsin cheese and put them under the broiler. Once the cheese was melted, he added jalapeno peppers and served the dish
When it comes to non-traditional holidays, Oct. 21 ranks right up there! Not only is it Reptile Awareness Day and the delicious National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day, it is also Count Your Buttons Day! No foolin'! Count Your Buttons Day Like many non-traditional holidays throughout the year, the origins of Count Your Buttons Day are unknown. But nobody is quite sure what on earth the holiday actually means! Today is the perfect day to get out the ole' needle and thread and sew those buttons back on. If you have celebrated National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day a little too much, perhaps this is the perfect time to count all the buttons on your shirt to make sure they are all intact and haven't popped off
While Halloween is all about ghouls, goblins, ghosts, witches and warlocks, October 21 also celebrates creepy creatures. It’s Reptile Awareness Day, an annual “holiday” that shines the spotlight on reptiles of all shapes and sizes. This annual event not only gives reptile lovers a special day of the year to celebrate reptiles, but also raises awareness about the importance of reptiles and the threats some of them face. From snakes and lizards to tortoises and crocodiles, there are more than 6,500 known species of reptiles. Some of these cold-blooded creatures spend the majority of their time in water and others spend the majority of their time on land. While slithering snakes may not be your
If you love cheesecake, today is your lucky day. Oct. 21 is National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day! While the origins of this annual food holiday are unknown, cheesecake lovers don’t really need a special "holiday" to indulge in a slice or two of rich and creamy cheesecake, right? While cheesecake is delicious to eat during any time of the year, just add a bit of pumpkin to the mix, and you’ve got the all-time perfect fall or Thanksgiving dessert. In just in case you have never tried it, pumpkin and cheesecake make the perfect combination. Why not live a little and try out one of the pumpkin cheesecake recipes listed below? After all, you really do need to taste test a few to make sure the recipes
While its origins are unknown, Oct. 20 is National Brandied Fruit Day! What is brandied fruit? Just add some sugar and a bit of brandy to your favorite ripened fruit and, voila, you have brandied fruit! Just in case you have a little too much brandy today, it's also National Suspenders Day!
James Bond and Gordon Gekko wore them. Larry King was famous for his. What are they? On the “heels” of Wear Something Gaudy Day and Dress Like a Dork Day, October 20 is National Suspenders Day! While the origins of this fashion-inspired holiday are unknown, the modern day suspenders were “Invented” in the 1820s by Albert Thurston. These once popular clothing accessories, sometimes referred to as braces, also served an important purpose. Constructed from straps of fabric or leather, suspenders slip over the shoulders and attach to trousers with clips or buttons to keep trousers from falling down and to keep them in their proper place. While suspenders may not be the “in” thing today, suspende
On the “heels” of Wear Something Gaudy Day, October 19 also celebrates fashion. Well, sort of. It’s Dress Like a Dork Day. A dork is defined as someone who is out of touch, a social misfit or someone who tends to look "odd or behave ridiculously around others." This annual holiday celebrates the less-than-fashionable fashion and encourages folks to get their inner dork on! Although the origins of this holiday are unknown, today is a great day to clean out that over-crowded closet and have a little fun. Dressing like a dork is pretty simple. All you need to do is slick back your hair, get out the plaid polyester pants, hideous shirt, suspenders, white knee socks or mismatched argyle socks and
Oct. 19 is Rainforest Day, an annual “holiday” that raises awareness about the importance of rainforests around the globe and the plight they are facing. Rainforests are vital to the animals that live in them and the plants that grow in them. Rainforests are also vital to human beings and the environment. This unique ecosystem is critical to the balance of nature. More than 20 percent of the world’s oxygen is produced in the Amazon Rainforest. But these lush and majestic forests are rapidly disappearing due to various human activities including commercial logging, grazing land and subsistence farming. 6000 acres of pristine rainforest land is disappearing every hour! In 1950, 15 percent of t
If you love chocolate, and who doesn’t, you’re in luck. Oct. 18 is National Chocolate Cupcake Day! Sweet! While the origins of this food holiday are unknown, Americans celebrate this special day every Oct 18. Folks have been enjoying cupcakes in the U.S. since the 19th century. Cupcakes have come a long way over the years. These mini-cakes are not only delicious to munch on, but are lovely to look at. In fact, some are just too pretty to eat! Whether you prefer yours frosted or filled, plain or gourmet, cupcakes are delicious sweet treats that are fun to eat. In honor of National Chocolate Cupcake Day, why not whip up a batch and share with friends and loved ones? So go ahead. Satisfy that c
If you or someone you know is of a "certain age," did you know there is a special day set aside each year to focus on hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and out-of-control hormones? World Menopause Day is an annual event held each October 18th. Launched by the International Menopause Society (IMS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the yearly event helps educate women around the world about the issues of menopause. Menopause, derived from the Greek words meaning “month” and “cessation”, refers to the ending of menstruation. Organizations, clinicians and health educators around the world will take part in the event by offering lectures, briefings and other informative activities. Th
If you’re a fan of this column, you know we celebrate all kinds of holidays. A special day of the year is here and folks are ready to celebrate the occasion – no ifs, ands or “butts” about it! Don’t get left “behind”, folks. Oct. 17 is National Ass Day in the U.S.A! While the origins of this “holiday” are unknown, this bootilicious event celebrates the derriere. It seems everywhere you turn these days, bodacious bums are in the news. From Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Pippa Middleton, Sofia Vergara, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azalea, curvaceous Gluteus Maximus’ are front-and-center in celeb photos, hot-and-steamy videos, songs and flicks. So what is up with men’s fascination wi
If you tend to buck the trends when it comes to fashion and don’t consider yourself a fashionista, today may be your lucky day! October 17 is Wear Something Gaudy Day. This annual “holiday” celebrates fashion that is not quite in style. Wear Something Gaudy Day actually got its start from the hit television sitcom, Three’s Company. One of the actors, Richard Kline, declared October 17th as Wear Something Gaudy Day, and the rest is wacky holiday history! Whether it’s drab or bright colors, wild prints or fashion from days-gone-by, today is the day to bring that totally tasteless attire out of the closet and have fun! ? Remember striped polyester pants, white go-go boots, dickies and tube-tops
In an effort to raise awareness about hunger, poverty and malnutrition, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched World Food Day (WFD) at its General Conference back in 1979. WFD is an annual, worldwide event observed by 150 nations each October 16. As many Americans enjoy a fabulous meal with friends and family, we often forget about those less fortunate. Did you know more than one billion people around the world are chronically hungry? One billion people! And with high unemployment and a bad economy, those numbers will likely worsen. From food and housing to gasoline, the cost of just about everything is skyrocketing – except wages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, near
Have you heard the "mews?" Oct. 16 is National Feral Cat Day (NFCD) also known as Global Cat Day, a annual "howliday" that not only raises awareness about the millions of homeless cats living on the street, but also encourages compassionate humane animal control and animal sheltering practices. Purrfect! National Feral Cat Day, launched in 2001, is dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of felines across the country. While millions of lucky felines live long, healthy lives in their happy "furever" homes, many are not so lucky. Feral cats live their lives out on the streets and have had little, if any, human contact. Often considered a nuisance, far too many feral cats have been sho
While not much is known about its origins, October 16 is National Liqueur Day. Sometimes referred to as cordials or spirits, liqueur is a delightful concoction of alcohol infused with fruits, flowers, nuts, herbs or spices. Learn how simple it is to make liqueurs out of fruits and berries or herbs and spices. Why not whip up some wonderful homemade spirits and give as holiday gifts this year? Homemade Liqueur Recipes Homemade Cranberry Liqueur – If you love the tasty twang of cranberries, you’ll love this wonderful liqueur. The recipe calls for cranberries, vodka, simple syrup, lemon and orange and optional spices. Chocolate Liqueur Recipe – You’ll need sugar, water, brandy, vodka, caramel f
As far as holidays go, October 16 is a b-i-g-g-y. Not only is it National Feral Cat Day, National Liqueur Day, World Food Day and National Boss Day, Oct. 16 also commemorates a very special birthday. In a word, it's National Dictionary Day. Noah Webster On this day back in 1758, Noah Webster was born. Webster was one of America’s most famous lexicographers (look it up!) In 1806, this lover of words went on to publish the first American dictionary, “A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language.” In 1828, he published his “An American Dictionary of the English Language” which included 70,000 entries in 26 languages! Imagine writing a book without a computer or typewriter! The G & C Merriam
Today is dedicated to the men and women across the nation who sign our paychecks. It's National Boss Day, also referred to as Bosses Day and/or Boss's Day. This annual "holiday" was created in 1958 by State Farm secretary, Patricia Bays Haroski. She created the day in an effort to show appreciation for bosses and improve the working relationship between employer and employee. National Boss Day is observed on Oct. 16 unless the day happens to fall on a weekend, then it is celebrated on the working day closest to the 16th. Let's be frank. Most of us have had to deal with bosses at some point in our lives. While many bosses are supportive, fair and understanding, other employers can make life a
Whether you live with one, go to school with one or happen to work with one, chances are good you probably know someone who is, well, a habitual grouch. It seems there is always that one person who is constantly irritable, grumpy and just plain miserable to be around! October 15 is a day grouches can really appreciate - or maybe not! It’s National Grouch Day, an annual “holiday” created in honor of everyone’s favorite Sesame Street grump - Oscar the Grouch. How to Celebrate National Grouch Day Let’s be honest. While we all have our bad days, habitual grumps rarely celebrate much of anything. And chances are good, today will be no different. But hey, it’s worth a shot, right? Why not send tha
If you are tired of the same ho-hum snack and want to spice things up a bit, this “holiday” may be just for you! Oct. 14 is National Chocolate-Covered Insect Day! Yep, there is a day set aside each year specifically devoted to edible insects drenched in creamy chocolate. Bugs including ants, spiders, termites, sucking lice, grubs, beetles, bees and crickets are just a few of the creepy crawlers on the menu! While eating bugs may be enough to make some people’s skin crawl, eating insects is nothing unusual for people in many parts of the world. In fact, some cultures consider insects a delicacy. Depending on the season and location, bugs are not only cheap and readily available, but they can
Today has got to be one of the very best “holidays” of the entire year! Although today is National Chocolate-Covered Insect Day and national lowercase day, Oct. 14 is also National Dessert Day, a day dedicated to decadent desserts and sweet treats. While the origins of this particular holiday are unknown, today is the perfect opportunity to indulge in your favorite dessert and satisfy that sweet tooth! Whether you prefer ooey, gooey caramel, rich chocolaty goodness or creamy cheesecake, go ahead. Treat yourself and worry about the calories tomorrow.
