Today is...

[IceWizard]

Saturday 14 May 2016

National Astronomy Day



Observed

Saturday between mid-April and mid- May on or just before the first quarter moon Bi-annually

This event was started in 1973 by Doug Berger, the president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California. His intent was to set up various telescopes in busy urban locations so that passersby could enjoys views of the heavens.

Since then the event has expanded and is now sponsored by a number of organizations associated with astronomy.

Astronomy Day also forms part of National Astronomy Week, which begins on the preceding Monday. Originally, Astronomy Day occurred on a Saturday between mid-April and mid-May, and was scheduled so as to occur at or close to the first quarter Moon.

In 2007, an autumn rendition of Astronomy Day was added. It was scheduled to occur on a Saturday between mid-September and mid-October so as to be on or close to the first quarter Moon.

The lunar influence on the schedule means that the events happen on a different date each year, rather than set calendar dates.

And

Chicken Dance Day



Dance Like a Chicken Day is observed on May 14, 2016. It's a day to perform the "Chicken Dance" and is therefore a day for those who like it.

The "Chicken Dance" is an oom-pah song and its associated fad dance is now a contemporary dance throughout the Western world. The song was composed by accordion player Werner Thomas from Davos, Switzerland, in the 1950s.

The name of the original Swiss song was "Der Ententanz" (The Duck Dance). It is rumored to be a drinking song sung at Oktoberfest.