Today is...

[IceWizard]

26 Feb 2017


Levi Strauss Day



They’re comfy. They last for years and years. They don’t require dry-cleaning or any other kind of special treatment. They’re perfect for a number of occasions, from a trip to the grocery store, to a walk in the park, to an evening at the pub, to a number of even semi-formal social occasions. They’re incredibly versatile, meaning they look good with pretty much everything, from t-shirts to smart blazers. In fact, you can’t imagine life without them at all.

What are we talking about? Jeans, of course! This iconic garment is more than deserving of it own holiday, as is Mr. Levi Strauss, a man without whom jeans as we know them might not exist at all.

The History of Levi Strauss Day

Levi Strauss was a German-American businessman born in Bavaria on February 26th, 1829, who came to the United States with his family the mid-1800s when he was 18 years old. Strauss began as a dry goods wholesaler in San Francisco, California, where he sold various items such as clothing, bedding, bags and handkerchiefs to settlers, many of whom had arrived in California to take part in the gold rush. Needless to say, the hard physical labor required of the miners of the day and those building new railroads made it difficult for them to find clothing that would last for more than a few months without falling apart at the seams. One day in 1870, one of Strauss’ clients, a tailor named Jacob W. Davis was approached by a woman who needed a pair of exceptionally strong working pants for her husband, a woodcutter. Her request prompted Davis to make a pair of pants from the denim he’d bought at Strauss’ shop that he then strengthened with copper rivets to reinforce the stitching. Word of the new article of clothing and its endurance spread fast, and soon Davis was not able to keep up with the demand for his invention, nor did he have the resources to open a larger tailor shop or obtain a patent. Falling further and further behind and afraid someone else would steal his idea, Davis decided to ask for Strauss’ financial backing in the filing of a patent application. Strauss agreed, the patent was issued, the two men became business partners, and Levi Strauss & Co was born.



And




World Pistachio Day



Pistachio Day celebrates the popular nut, which are native to the Middle East. The largest producer of pistachio nuts today is Iran but they are also grown in other areas, including California and Mediterranean Europe. The Chinese are the greatest consumers of the nut. It is thought that pistachio nuts have been eaten by humans for at least 9000 years. Legend even has it that the Queen of Sheba restricted the eating of pistachios to the royal court and forbade commoners to grow them!

Pistachios are not just eaten as a snack – they are also used in cooking, while their sweet flavour sometimes finds them used in desserts, such as Lebanese dish baklava. You can sometimes find pistachio ice cream alongside more common flavours such as chocolate or strawberry.

Studies have even suggested that eating moderate amounts of pistachios can help keep your heart healthy!





And




For Pete's Sake Day



Oh, for Pete’s sake! Not another pointless holiday?

For Pete’s Sake Day celebrates one example of a ‘minced oath’, where an offensive word or phrase is substituted by something more acceptable in society. Other examples include ‘For crying out loud!’, and ‘Sugar!’. Such euphemisms have been used for centuries whenever people hit thumbs with hammers, burn hands on hot plates, or sit on sharp things while in polite company. Why has Pete been singled out for special attention?

In the case of this particular minced oath, Pete is likely to refer to St Peter. However, if there’s a Pete in your life, why not do something for his sake? It doesn’t have to be much – making him a cup of tea or a nice sandwich would be good!

If you are Pete-less, perhaps you can celebrate by saying ‘For Pete’s Sake’ whenever you get an opportunity.

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February 26 Birthdays



Johnny Cash - (1932 - 2003) (71)



Tony Randall - (1920 - 2004) (84)



Michael Bolton - 64



Fats Domino - 84



Tim Kaine - 59



Buffalo Bill Cody - (1846 - 1917) (70)







February 26th

2002: Multiple concerts are held in the Los Angeles area featuring the likes of The Eagles, Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks, & Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder to benefit the Recording Artists’ Coalition, which lobbies for artists’ rights.

2001: Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose’s stalker Karen McNeil was found guilty of violating her probation by a Malibu Supreme Court judge. McNeil had been ordered to stay at least 300 yards from Rose’s residence in 1997 & the Malibu police had records of her trespassing on Rose’s property at least six times.

1998: Pamela Anderson filed for divorce from Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, two days after Lee was arrested for spousal abuse outside of their home.

1997: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, & Neil Peart of Rush received the Order of Canada, the highest civilian award from the Canadian government, for significant achievement in important fields of human endeavor.

1995: Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, who toured under the moniker Page & Plant kicked off their first tour together in 15 years at the Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola, FL.

1983: Bob Seger peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Shame on the Moon”, Seger’s sixth top ten single in the U.S.

1980: After performing at the National Stadium in Dublin, U2 were offered a contract with Island Records by talent scout Bill Stewart, who was in attendance.

1977: The Eagles reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the third time with “New Kid in Town”, their first single off of Hotel California which spent one week on top.

1965: Jimmy Page released his debut solo single “She Just Satisfies”. Shortly after it failed to chart, Page would go on to join The Yardbirds.



Birthdays:

Fats Domino born in 1928

Johnny Cash born in 1932

Mitch Ryder born in 1945

Jonathan Cain - Keyboardist for Journey born in 1950