This Day In History 8-10-2016

The village of Chicago is incorporated. (1833)

"Smile, You're on Candid Camera". Allen Funt's wildly popular show debuts. (1948)

National Lazy Day

Date When Celebrated : August 10 th

Lazy Day is your chance to goof off, and definitely not work. And, it definitely comes at a good time. Hot, muggy weather makes it easy to kick back and be lazy for a day. If summer chores are not done by now, they can just wait one more day. It is best spent on a hammock, along with your favorite summer beverage.

Whoever said "There's no lazy days...just lazy people." Well, we respectfully disagree. Today is proof positive. It is indeed a Lazy Day. And, we consider that a good thing.

If you enjoy the intent of today, you will also look forward to Relaxation Day. It is coming up soon.

Source: Holiday Insights

National S'mores Day

Date When Celebrated: Always on August 10

S'mores are a favorite campsite treat for young and old kids. If you're at a campfire, chances are, there's S'mores. Sticky and gooey, and loaded with sugar and carbs, S'mores are nothing short of delicious. Who was the first person to create S'mores? We don't know. But, we're all sure glad they did!

National S'mores Day celebrates this tasty summer treat. It's appropriately observed in August...campfire prime time. Don't limit your consumption of S'ores to the campfire. They are popular with kids year round, and can be baked in the oven, or microwave.

The origin of S'mores dates back to the 1920's. It's believed the recipe was created by the Campfire Girls. Girl Scouts soon discovered it, and found it to be choclatey delicious. Before long, S'mores became a campfire staple for everyone. S'more folklore suggests that S'mores got its name right by the campfire. After eating one, young kids chanted "gimme some more!"

While much is written about National S'mores Day, our research has been unable to verify that this is an officially recognized national day (which requires an act of Congress). Don't let that stop you from celebrating this day with a few S'mores.

Source: Holiday Insights

This Day in History 8-9-2016

Animated cartoon Dizzy Dishes premieres, with new star Betty Boop! (1930)

President Richard M. Nixon becomes the first and only president to resign while in office (1974)

Book Lovers Day

Book Lovers Day

Date When Celebrated : August 9 th and/or first Saturday in November.

Book Lovers Day encourages you to find a place in the shade to relax with a good book.

Book reading is a great hobby. It's an important one, too. Employers look for it on resumes. Reading is educational, informative, and relaxing. It makes us both smarter, and happier people.

Book Lovers Day is a great day to celebrate. Just grab an interesting book, find a quiet, cozy place, and crack open the cover. Celebrating Book Lovers Day in August is pleasurable on the deck, under a shady tree, poolside, or in a cozy hammock. If you fall asleep while reading, that's okay. It's all part of the relaxing benefits of being a book lover.

The Origin of Book Lovers Day:

Our research did not find the creator, or the origin of this day.

There is some disagreement over when this day is celebrated. The vast majority of sites list it on August 9th. A smaller number of sites have it recorded on the first Saturday in November. If you are a true book lover, you will enjoy celebrating it on both days.

Localized organizations and groups have declared "Book Lover" days on various other dates.

Source: Holiday Insights

Chinese Valentine Day / Daughters Festival

Chinese Valentine Day / Daughters Festival

Date When Celebrated : 7th day of 7th Lunar month: August 2, 2014; August 20, 2015; August 9, 2016; August 28, 2017; August 17, 2018

Celebrate love ....Chinese style. Today is Chinese Valentine Day. It is also known as the Daughters Festival and several other names (see below). It is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar.

This holiday is one of love. Its romantic (and lovely) that this holiday evolved from an ancient love story from Chinese folklore. As a result of being handed down from generation to generation over thousands of years, there are several versions of the story.

Here is one of the the most popular versions of the story:

The Goddess of Heaven (also known as the Queen of Heaven) had seven beautiful, young daughters. The seven daughters came down to earth. They decided to bathe in a pristine river, leaving their clothes on the shore. Along came a cow herder (the herd were actually ox) named "Niu Lang". He took their clothes to see what they would do. The daughters decided that the youngest, and most beautiful, named Zhi Nü should go out of the water and recover their clothes. Because Niu Lang saw her naked, they had to get married. They fell madly in love, and shared several years of marital bliss.

Finally, her mother became irritated by her absence from Heaven, and ordered her to return. Seeing how much Zhi Nü missed her husband, the Jade Emperor of Heaven brought the couple back together. Ultimately, Zhi Nü was allowed to visit her husband, Niu Lang just once a year. The annual reunion occurs on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Lunar Calendar.

Source: Holiday Insights

This Day in History 8/8/2016

The Daughters of the American Revolution organization is created. (1890)

The USSR finally declares war against Japan. (1945)