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Did you know it's National Senior Citizens Day?

Do you have an elderly person in your life that you love and appreciate? National Senior Citizens Day, August 21, is the day to let them know how much you care and it’s an opportunity to recognize their accomplishments. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed this holiday to raise awareness about issues that affect senior citizens and their quality of life.

Today, seniors are still active in their communities as well as continuing to have a strong presence in the workforce. For all they do and have achieved for the good of their communities, senior citizens deserve our thanks!

HISTORY OF NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY
National Senior Citizens Day recognizes seniors who have spent their lives contributing to society and have impacted everyone’s lives for the better. Improved healthcare has changed demographics and increased productivity of older citizens, allowing them to be more active than ever before. With more opportunities available as well, many senior citizens now begin second careers and are an example for younger generations. The country’s foundation and stable sectors are the result of the hard work of our senior citizens and they deserve all our gratitude.

President Ronald Reagan took the initiative to honor seniors in 1988 when he signed Proclamation 5847 and marked August 21 as the day seniors will be celebrated. “Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. That remains true today, and gives us ample reason this year to reserve a special day in honor of the senior citizens who mean so much to our land,” Reagan proclaimed. “For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older — places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.”

His words have withstood the test of time and are now, over 30 years later, more important than ever as older people are leading more productive lives. Reagan himself set an example for everyone — he was 69 years old when one of the world’s most powerful titles of president of the U.S. was given to him on January 20, 1981. Reagan lived till the ripe old age of 93, and not only was he the oldest person to be elected president, he was also the oldest when his term ended at 77 years and 349 days.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 78 million people aged 65 and older will reside in America by 2035. This figure will surpass the number of the population under the age of 18 for the first time in the nation’s history.

NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY FAQS
What is National Senior Citizen Day?
The achievements and contributions of the mature people of our country are recognized on National Senior Citizens Day.

What is the age of senior citizens?
An individual resident is considered a senior citizen if he/she is between the ages of 60 to 80 years.

What are the advantages of turning 60?
There are perks to turning 60. Many benefits are applicable only to senior citizens. Extra coverage is granted to senior citizens for healthcare expenses.

When should I start saving for retirement?
Every individuals circumstances are different, but the general advice is that you should start saving early and to save as often as you can.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY
Donate to a nursing/retirement home
One of the kindest and most rewarding things one can do is to donate essential goods or gifts to a nursing/retirement home. Give your nearest facility a call and ask them whether they have a shortage of anything. Or simply drop off some chocolates, juice boxes, or any other treats. You can really make a difference in someone’s life.

Reach out to a senior family member
Do you have a senior family member? Perhaps it’s a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Visit them and spend some time together. If you can’t see them in person, don't text — call! Let them hear the warmth in your voice when you tell them how much you appreciate them.

Have fun!
Are you a senior citizen yourself? Well, today is all about you! Live it up and treat yourself. Spend time with your favorite people, go shopping — do whatever you like. This could be the day you finally try that one thing you never have time for or perhaps it's a perfect day to chill at home. You’ve earned this time, so enjoy it!

5 FACTS ABOUT NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY
Get with the times
Today, only 3.6% of people over the age of 65 live in nursing homes — older women are likely to live alone, while older men prefer living with a spouse.

Senior citizens battle serious illnesses
Four in five seniors will battle at least one medical condition or illness like arthritis or a heart disorder.

“Get off my property!”
Over ⅓ of federally subsidized housing is occupied by elderly people.

They are technologically advancing
Senior citizens are the fastest-growing demographic on the social platform Facebook.

Young at heart
15 million senior citizens volunteer in some manner.

WHY NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY IS IMPORTANT
Seniors give wise and useful advice
Our elderly family and friends have a lifetime's worth of precious experiences (and stories) to share. For centuries, cultures across the world have looked to the seniors in their communities for wisdom and knowledge. In times of trouble or when we simply don't know what to do, seniors are often the first people we turn to for a different or even, unusual perspective. If we listen, we can learn so much from them.

Seniors give generously
It's widely known that seniors make more charitable donations than any other age group. They have more time to devote to others and volunteer. We appreciate how much they look out for their loved ones and it’s a quality we love in our seniors.

Seniors give us goodies!
Perhaps this stems from their generous and charitable nature, but seniors are very good at making us feel special. Grandparents dote on us when we need it, and sometimes when we don't. To every grandparent or elderly loved one that has given us a treat or made sure we ate well or spoiled us in some other way, we salute and appreciate you!

Information from NationalToday dot com

August 16 is National Airborne Day!

It was chosen by former President George W. Bush back in 2002 as a day to recognize the past, present, and future contributions of American airborne troops in all campaigns, theaters, and peacekeeping missions. For example, the invasion of Normandy during World War II might have gone the wrong way and cost thousands more lives, if not for Allied soldiers dropping from aircraft behind enemy lines. From the first American use of paratroopers on August 16, 1942 to the 101st “Screaming Eagles,” airborne divisions are some of our best and bravest.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL AIRBORNE DAY
In terms of young or old warfare tactics, using American airborne forces to surprise an enemy by landing behind battle lines has only been a “thing” since the 1940s. It was just after World War I when, perhaps looking back in hindsight with better vision, Brigadier General Billy Mitchell first came up with a viable version of the idea of “dropping” troops into combat. The idea was developed and tested at Fort Benning, Georgia, and first “went live” in the North African campaign of the Second World War, meeting with decisive success.

Perhaps best illustrated by the film “Saving Private Ryan,” paratroopers in WWII suffered some disadvantages when they parachuted into German territories, such as disorientation or losing their sense of compass directions during a nighttime paratrooper assault. The second was a lack of ready supplies. Airborne troops sometimes had to scrounge, be cunning, and exploit every resource to procure food, weapons, and ammunition. And that’s to say nothing about being surrounded by the enemy on all sides!

With paratroopers now jumping out of an aircraft at the rate of about 118.5 feet per second, National Airborne Day is also a time to recognize the vigorous training of airborne units in the Army. The safety of this training is also important to note. A jumpmasters attention to detail is critical, with equipment checked regularly.

Airborne tactics have steadily advanced alongside other military strategies, up until 2002, when President Bush’s proclamation made the anniversary of the first airborne assault a holiday. The U.S. Senate backed that up in Senate Resolution 235 in 2009. Since then, August 16 is a patriotic day with a special cachet because airborne troops are said to be the elite of the elite, earning top honors across the Armed Services.

Information from NationalToday dot com

Are you one of our Southpaw friends? It's International Lefthanders Day!

Wonder what it’s like to see the world from a “left-handed” point of view? On International Lefthanders Day, August 13, you get to explore that world for a day. Did you know Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were all left-handed? Rock out with Paul McCartney or Jimi Hendrix, the world’s greatest left-handed guitarist. (Stevie Ray Vaughan, born right-handed, learned to play a left-handed guitar like his hero, Hendrix). There’s also Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts and Lady Gaga, left-handers all. In baseball, there were the legendary “southpaws, Babe Ruth and Sandy Koufax. So, if you’re left-handed, grab your left-handed cup and make a toast to all left-handers, everywhere!

Information from NationalToday dot com

Ain’t no mountain high enough to keep people from celebrating Mountain Day in Japan. The day is a natural fit because of Japan’s hilly and mountainous terrain. This fairly new holiday which takes place annually on August 11, reminds us to see mountains as natural sanctuaries of peace. Mountain Day encourages everyone, especially those who are boxed into the flatlands of dense, urban centers; to use the day exploring nature and taking in wondrous views while breathing deeply of fresh, mountain air. Pondering the blessings that mountains offer is reflective of Shintoism, the dominant religious practice in Japan.

HISTORY OF MOUNTAIN DAY
Japan is well ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to its lifestyle and technological advancements. But despite their peak urbanization, Japanese people are quite grounded in their roots and perceive themselves as being more connected to nature than other developed nations.

The planning of Japan’s dense cities and its culture developed on the flat land found near the sea, but that’s only one part of the country’s extraordinary landscapes. Hikers, trekkers, and activist groups, like the Japanese Alpine Club, advocated for the cause to have a Mountain Day to celebrate the country’s mountainous geography.

In 2014, the idea for Mountain Day or ‘Yama-no-Hi’ was conceived and, in 2016, the day became Japan’s latest public holiday. August 11 was established as the day for the holiday’s observance because, in the Chinese characters used for writing Japanese — Kanji, the number eight resembles a mountain and the number 11 resembles two trees.

There weren’t many traditional activities or ceremonies for the inception of Mountain Day in Japan. The inauguration ceremony took place in the Japanese Alps at Kamikochi in Matsumoto, Nagano. The day is celebrated on August 11 but, if the date falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the following Monday.

photo by Taro Nagoya
Information from NationalToday dot com

Books!!

Books are the purest form of escapism. They can take you to any time, place, or culture. In honor of National Book Lovers Day August 9, we put away our smartphones, pull out a good book and simply read. (Well, an audiobook will suffice too.) From clay tablets to today’s eBooks, literature has played a crucial role in preserving cultures, educating the masses, and storytelling. Thanks to Johannes Gutenberg’s 15th-century printing press, anyone, not just royalty, monks or landed gentry, could read and own books. But, alas, there was no overnight shipping. Today, join a book club or re-read a favorite novel because National Book Lovers Day rocks!

WHEN IS NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS DAY 2023?
Book lovers, bookworms, and bibliophiles celebrate National Book Lovers Day on August 9, 2021.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS DAY
Book Lovers Day appreciates the medium that has withstood and preserved its importance in time — literature. Our love for books knows no bounds — someday we’ll write a book on it.

The modern book is made by binding paper, but before the invention of paper, books came in the form of tablets, scrolls, and engravings. Every civilization had its own way to document events. Some time in 3500 B.C., the Mesopotamians would make markings on clay tablets using a pointed device, made from the stem of the reed plant, called the calamus. These writings on the moist clay were called ‘cuneiform.’ Approximately 20,000 of these tablets were discovered in modern-day Iraq.

Paper was invented in China in the 1st century A.D. By experimenting with various materials such as h**p, fishnets, and the mulberry plant, Ts’ai Lun invented the first paper. With time, printing on woodblocks also became the go-to way of reproducing books in China. The ancient scrolls dating back to the 4th century B.C. are considered the first ‘books,’ but by today’s definition, the oldest surviving compiled book is “The Diamond Sutra” which was published in China on May 11, 868.

Hardback books ruled the market at the start of the 20th century, with a certain prestige associated with the hard bindings of books. But from 1937 onwards, paperbacks rose in popularity, paving the way for digests, pulp fiction, and pocket-friendly books.

Advancement in computers and technology led to the digitization of books, with the first book sold in CD format in the 1980s, “The New Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia.”

Info from NationalToday dot com
Photo by Laura Kapfer on Unsplash

Are you in Canada? Celebrate Regatta Day!!

A holiday that depends on the weather. Boat races that date as far back as the early 1800s. These traditions make Newfoundland’s Regatta Day one of the coolest holidays on the Canadian calendar. Usually celebrated on the first Wednesday in August, Regatta Day, known also as Royal St. John’s Regatta; is closely associated with the British monarchy.

On Regatta Day, festivities and rowing rule the day in the provincial capital of St. John’s — IF the weather cooperates. City officials meet that very morning to decide whether or not the holiday will commence. Too blustery for a rowing competition on the city’s historic Quidi Vidi Lake? No holiday. Sunshine? Take the day off. Oh, Canada.

Information from NationalToday dot com

Let's celebrate those who harvest our food!!

Farmworker Appreciation Day is celebrated on August 6 annually. This day aims to raise awareness about the importance of the work that people do on the farm. The truth is that farmworkers work even under the hot summer sun to bring in the harvest.

Every year, you can see them as you are driving by the fields. Most of their work only happens during summer, and this means that many of these individuals return to their home country when the season is over. Farmworkers are usually forgotten and this day is special to honor and thank them for all they have done.

HISTORY OF FARMWORKER APPRECIATION DAY
In the colonial era, most farmworkers were indentured servants from Great Britain. They were white men and women, and even children, who exchanged four to seven years of hard labor for passage to the colonies. Some of these workers were recruited through force and were kept and sold as property, with few rights. They lived in miserable conditions of servitude and abuse.

By the 1600s, indentured servants weren’t plentiful enough, so plantation owners turned to an even crueler method of workforce recruitment: the forceable capture of Africans to be converted into slaves. These slaves had almost no promise of eventual freedom as no fixed period of enslavement was arranged. African slaves became the primary source of farm labor in the colonies over the next two centuries. By the end of the American Revolution, 20% of the population in the 13 colonies was of African descent, the majority of whom were slaves. In 1808, Congress banned the international slave trade, but not the practice of slavery itself.

California became a major agricultural center after the Civil War in the United States. In the aforementioned state, farm labor was mostly imported from Asia. The immigrant labor force had begun to shift to Mexico by the 1930s. During World War II, due to a labor shortage, the Bracero Program was initiated. This program allowed Mexicans to work temporarily on U.S. farms. It ended in 1964, although Latin American legal and illegal immigrants continue to make up the vast majority of the U.S. agricultural workforce.

Information from NationalToday dot com
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

August 1 is known as Dogust 1st: Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs.

Thousands of sweet dogs land at animal shelters until they can find forever homes. If you’ve ever visited a shelter, you know the heart-wrenching looks on their faces. But there’s always hope. Back in 2008, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, North Shore Animal League America chose August 1 (or “DOGust 1st) as the universal birthday for all shelter dogs, or as it refers to them, “mutt-i-grees.” This date inspires all of us to consider their plight. Join us this summer by sharing your love for these precious creatures. Shelters across America join North Shore Animal League on this day by making an extra effort to facilitate adoptions. Read on to learn how you can help.

HISTORY OF DOGUST 1ST: UNIVERSAL BIRTHDAY FOR SHELTER DOGS
DOGust 1st was a date picked by the North Shore Animal League America to symbolize the birthday of all shelter dogs across America. This “birthday” applies to dogs who don’t have an official record in place. Shelter workers can estimate a dog’s age, but they can never know precisely when they were born and nobody wants to see a dog go without a birthday! When these dogs are adopted, their new family might give them a new birthday, but for those without a home, this date serves as a universal celebration.

North Shore Animal League America uses this date to work with shelters across the country to promote adoption and acceptance of shelter dogs into new forever families. The aim is keep their lives happy, healthy, and fulfilled. On DOGust 1st, it is encouraged to spread the word and raise awareness about pet adoption services and shelters in general, praising them for all the incredible work they do in rescuing and caring for animals across the country and the world.

As NSALA states, DOGust 1st is an opportunity to look into the world of these wonderful animals who are waiting for a family. This day we can return the unconditional love and adoration they give us and help find them a home that is full of the love they deserve.

Information from NationalToday dot com

Love the family that you've chosen!

International Day of Friendship was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UN). On July 30, we step back and get thankful for those relationships worldwide, as they promote and encourage peace, happiness, and unity. The UN encourages governments, community groups, and other organizations to coordinate activities and events that celebrate those friendships that we keep close to us. Many events focus on reconciliation, bridging understanding and consensus, and finding comfort in those that feel like home.

We live in a tough world. Between miscommunications, mistreatment, lack of trust, discrimination, and cultural discord, prioritizing peace seemingly has less of presence in global society. There really is no reason for the world not to exist in some harmonious form. We have the United Nations to thank for helping to remind us all that there is some good in this world. We were first introduced to International Day of Friendship in 2011; this special day goes beyond connecting people and builds bridges among cultures, countries, and even ideologies.

Friendship and connecting is synonymous with bonding, and building those common bonds goes beyond sharing a trait, characteristic, or favorite past time with another person or group, but also includes promoting a global commitment and understanding of diversity and inclusion. Even in our differences we can find common ground. Physical appearances, differences of opinions, political views, tastes, music and more are not reasons to separate people. Relationships are bigger than that, and the UN works to promote kindness and togetherness every July.

Celebrating friendships through something as simple as a brief note, to a coffee hang out, a concert or a trip to the mall are all ways to find commonalities. Again, do have more in common that we all realize. And, any idea that minimizes the amount spread hatred and disdain is the kind of world we want shared. We’d like to think that something we all have in common.

Before the UN made its designation, the very first World Friendship Day was proposed in 1958 by the World Friendship Crusade, which is an international civil organization that campaigns to foster peaceful culture through friendship.

Information from NationalToday dot com

Another chance to celebrate extended family!

National Aunts and Uncles Day is observed every July 26. Our aunts and uncles are unique parts of our family; they can be like a second set of parents, or great friends you happen to be related to. Often, they’ve watched us grow up, and are full of stories about things we did in our youth we might not even remember. July is a great month for a cookout, or outdoor activities. Call up your aunts and uncles and ask them to come out and celebrate their special place in your life.

It’s unclear exactly when National Aunts and Uncles Day was started, but it’s safe to say people have been celebrating their parent’s siblings for a long time. The word aunt is derived from the French word for the same familial relation, tante. Uncle is also derived from a french word — oncle. Both of these words start even further back in history, stemming from the Latin words amita and avunculus respectively.

Aunts and uncles have different roles in many human societies. For example, in the Ashanti tribe of Ghana, aunts and uncles are given free reign to discipline and raise their siblings’ children. They’re essentially a second set of parents, who you real parents trust the most because, well, they were raised together. In many Polynesian cultures, anyone older than you may be addressed as aunt or uncle as a term of respect and endearment. Aunts and uncles also occupy a place of importance in modern pop culture, with many famous examples across television, literature, and film. Often, these characters, such as Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince, act as parental figures for their niece, nephews, and their own children, signifying their position as wise and trusted members of the family.

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Appreciate your cousins!!

National Cousins Day falls on the calendar every July 24 and is the perfect day to send some love to those family members we call cousins. Whether they were our first best friend or first antagonist, cousins are the people who made family get togethers fun – or at least more tolerable and less awkward – when we were kids. Whether close cousins or distant cousins, friends or foes, those of us who are lucky enough to still have cousins around should think about celebrating them today.

Exactly when National Cousins Day made its way onto our modern-day calendar is a mystery. What we do know is that cousins have been keeping families connected for a long time.

American families have been coming together for reunions since the first settlers left the safety of the colonies and headed west to find fame, fortune, and more importantly, land. As one generation passed the baton of keeping extended family connected onto the next generation, cousins became the guardians of family ties.

Even in families who no longer gather for regular reunions, cousins tend to reach out to each other later in life and revisit the shared memories of being family. If your cousins are like brothers and sisters or you became best friends growing up, staying in touch with them may not require a special day on your calendar. If you’re from a small family or one where the wanderlust gene is dominant and you’re not quite sure where all your cousins wandered off to years ago, celebrating cousinship takes a little more effort. It may take circling National Cousins Day on your calendar every year as an excuse to say hello to the cousins of your youth.

However, revisiting a family member you haven’t seen since you both were forced to sit at the kids’ table is always an interesting and nostalgic reunion. You get to see where your lives took you, the families you’ve created, the careers you’ve gone after, and the faces you’ve aged.

Information from NationalToday dot com

It's National Hammock Day!!

National Hammock Day is celebrated every year on July 22 to commemorate the universal symbol for relaxation. Developed by the Mayans of Central and South America for sleeping or resting, a hammock is a sling made of fabric, rope or netting, which is suspended between two points such as posts or trees. Most often, hammocks were made from the woven bark from the Hamack Tree — hence “hamacas”. Today the hammock is often seen as a symbol of summer, leisure, relaxation, and simple, easy living. So grab your favorite book, put your feet up, and relax!

Since the 13th century, humans have enjoyed napping and resting in hammocks that have been tied together between two trees. The word “Hammock” originated from a Taino culture Arwakan word meaning “fishnet”. The name is also derived from the Hamack tree because hammocks used to be woven from their bark. Though hammocks are used around the world, their popularity is arguably at its peak in Latin America, and some say that hammocks embody the ‘relaxed’ lifestyle traditional to those countries and the Caribbean.

It was invented by the native-born people of Middle and South America, who called them “Hamacas”, in the Taino language. Columbus first encountered the hammock in the Bahamas. He observed in 1492 that “people were sleeping in nets between the trees”. He brought the hammock back to Europe where sailors started using it extensively because swinging while suspended in the air led to better sleep than they were previously experiencing on the dirty ship floor.

Nowadays the hammock serves as a bed to some or a symbol of leisure to others. Popular brands like ENO have made hammocking stylish with their sleek materials and colors. Many people today would consider hammocking a social activity, or a place for personal relaxation. Hammocking can be a fun way to spend time with the people you are closest to.

Information from NationalToday dot com

It's Nelson Mandela International Day!

Nelson Mandela has many accolades. He’s an iconic figure that triumphed over South Africa’s apartheid regime. He was a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, and an international peacemaker. And he was the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa (no biggie). So you see why the United Nations General Assembly would want to celebrate his life. Commemorated on July 18 — Nelson Mandela’s birthday — Nelson Mandela International Day celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world and the ability to make an impact. So, in honor of his 67 years of public service, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the U.N. ask that you spend 67 minutes of your time helping others

Nelson Mandela International Day, also known as Mandela Day, is an international observance in honor of the revolutionary Nelson Mandela, celebrated annually on his birthday, on July 18. The day was officially set by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first observance of Mandela Day held on July 18, 2010.

Nelson Mandela International Day shines a light every year on the legacy of a man whose monumental achievements changed the 20th century and shaped the 21st. His values and determination — a deep commitment to human rights, freedom, and justice — are reflected on, and are a source of inspiration for others. Mandela advocated for the rightful dignity and equality of every living person, and encouraged engagement and solidarity across all borders. His relentless pursuit for equality was paralleled with his status as the founding father of peace in South Africa.

Nelson Mandela remains a symbol of power by resisting oppression. In times of turbulence, Mandela’s legacy teaches everyone to choose dignity over humiliation, speak up during injustice, and forgive rather than hate. He once said, “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” In 2014, the Nelson Mandela Prize was established by the UN General Assembly — an award recognizing the achievements of those who went far and beyond to serve humanity.

Information from NationalToday dot com

Imagine a day when you could clean house and get rid of clutter, show someone that you care, gift small things to strangers, and generally making the world a better place. Yes, this day does, in fact, exist and on July 15 we celebrate National Give Something Away Day!

It’s better to give than to receive, and this is the aim behind National Give Something Away Day. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” doesn’t literally mean junk or trash, but items that can serve someone else better. The day encourages people to give freely to others without expecting anything in return. This is also a good way to declutter and pass on things that no longer fit us or are useful to us.

Most of us undoubtedly have way more items than we need. National Give Something Away Day was established on July 15, 2015, by Linda Eaton Hall-Fulcher, a self-proclaimed giver. On the day’s page, Linda advocates giving back to the world. According to her, this day is for everyone who cares. It advocates for giving to friends, family, and the less fortunate; for mindful consumerism; and for being more aware of our carbon footprint.

Giving is the simplest act to exist that can brighten up another’s day, and at times really bring about a positive change. Whether it is something small like giving a compliment, giving your friend a jacket of yours that she really likes, or donating clothes to the less fortunate, these little things can have a big impact.

Even though giving is a selfless act, the reward goes both ways. We benefit from feeling good about giving and making someone’s day, and at the same time, we also let go of items that we no longer need and are just lying around. We also learn to be grateful for all our blessings and it makes us feel like responsible people who are improving the community.

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