Today is...

[IceWizard]

16 Jan 2017

Religious Freedom Day



Religions and religious organizations have been responsible for a great deal of good being done in the world, from the founding of worldwide charity organizations to simply inspiring people to be kinder and humbler on a daily basis, as well as more sympathetic to the plight of his fellow man. Unfortunately, an often-observed characteristic of many religions is that their faithful often try to convert others to their faith, and when those others refuse, the consequences can be grave. From the Roman persecutions of Christians in the ancient times, to the infamous Spanish Inquisition, to the witch hunts of Puritan America, to the Islamic Jihads still occurring today, it is easy to see how dangerous religions can be if not checked, and how overzealous believers in a certain god or no god at all can be in attempting to force everyone else to believe as they do. This is why it is enormously important to make sure religious freedom is granted and protected to all, and this is why the Founding Fathers of the United States of America saw this as such.

The History of Religious Freedom Day

On January 16, 1786, soon after the United States of America came into existence as a sovereign nation, the Virginia General Assembly adopted Thomas Jefferson’s landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. This statute then became the basis for what we know today as the First Amendment, which guarantees religious freedom to all people residing in the U.S.A. Every year since then, an statement is released on this same day by the president f the United States officially proclaiming Religious Freedom day.



And



Appreciate A Dragon Day



The dragon is a powerful symbol in mythology all over the world, from Europe to Asia and beyond. Appreciate A Dragon Day encourages you to explore the cultural significance of the dragon in your society and history!



And



International Hot and Spicy Food Day



For one red-hot day a year, the world’s chili heads, heat-seekers and extreme eaters can take their passion to extremes. International Hot and Spicy Foods Day sparks a wildfire of events, from habanero-eating challenges to fancy-dress contests and cook-offs of popular recipes. Among serious aficionados, it also re-kindles the great debate: which chili pepper tops the official Scoville heat scale?

There’s no denying the daredevil nature of some of the celebrations. However, people who like a meal to tingle their taste buds, not make their eyes water, shouldn’t feel left out. Enjoying a touch of heat in our cooking is a worldwide human trait, so what better day to invite your family and friends to discover a different cuisine? Thai, Indian, Creole and Caribbean dishes are all famous for their blends of aromatic ingredients, but many cultures boast their own favourites. After all, variety is truly the spice of life…

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January 16 Birthdays


Kate Moss - 43



Debbie Allen - 67



John Carpenter - 69



Edith Frank (Mother of Anne Frank) (1900 - 1945)






January 16th


2005: Mick Jagger & David. A. Stewart won the Best Original Song Golden Globe for the song “Old Habits Die Hard” from the Alfie soundtrack.

1999: Warren Zevon, America & Delbert McClinton performed at Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura’s Inaugural Ball at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

1996: Jamaican authorities opened fire on Jimmy Buffett’s plane after it was mistaken for a drug trafficker’s plane. Bono & Island Records founder Chris Blackwell were also on the plane & nobody was hurt.

1992: Eric Clapton taped his appearance for MTV Unplugged at Bray Film Studios in Windsor, U.K.

1988: George Harrison reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the last time with “Got My Mind Set on You”. This was the last number one single by any of the solo Beatles in the U.S.

1980: Paul McCartney was arrested for marijuana possession in Tokyo. McCartney would spend nine days in a Tokyo jail.

1979: Cheap Trick received their first Gold record for their third album Heaven Tonight, which is also known as the first album recorded with a 12 string electric bass.

1965: The Guess Who released their debut single, a cover of Johnny Kidd & The Pirates’ “Shakin’ All Over” which reached number one in Canada & number 22 in the U.S.

1957: The Cavern Club opened in Liverpool. This club would later become known worldwide for having The Beatles as its house band before their rise to fame.

Birthdays:

Bob Bogle - Guitarist for The Ventures born in 1937