Today is...

[IceWizard]

15 Apr 2017


National ASL Day



There are many ways to communicate, and thousands of languages, each with their own various dialects. However, when considering the languages of the world many people forget those that don’t use the voice at all. Throughout the world there are those who are not born with the gift of verbal speech, and have had to find another way to communicate. The written word is one such method, but away from a computer it’s clumsy for casual conversation, and thus was born languages that include the use of hand signs to express meaning and share ideas. Appropriately enough, they’re known as Sign Languages, and American Sign Language (ASL) is one of the most prominent forms in the world.

History of ASL Day

ASL has an incredibly long history, given the age of the country in which it was born.

In 1815 a school for the deaf was established with the intent of creating a cohesive language for those who could not use verbal speech. It was a remarkable leap forward for the time, and through the combination of several extant sign languages, Native American signals, French Sign Language, and even one for that was specifically created in Martha’s Vineyard (Known appropriately enough as Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language) the American Sign Language (ASL) was born.

Since it’s creation ASL has expanded throughout the world, being used in the majority of Canada, all throughout America, and has even expanded to areas like Central Africa, West Africa, and even Southeast Asia. Given it’s origin, it shares many commonalities with French Sign Language, and has even been considered a creole of that language.

Not sure what a creole is?

Neither were we! It’s basically a language formed from two other languages, that is in turn passed on to another generation. Whatever it’s technical designation, ASL has certainly opened the doors of communication for many people with various speech impairments that prevent them from using verbal speech.

Even more interesting is that ASL has been being taught as a second language in many places in the word, creating a scenario where even where the two involved may not share a spoken language, they’re able to communicate through sign.

How amazing is that?



And




Record Store Day



Record stores, eh? With digital music, iTunes and Amazon, they almost seem a thing of the past. But not quite!

Record Store Day is here for us to appreciate the wonderful pastime of flicking through albums, searching for bargains, finding something new, or perhaps something old that we lost a long time ago and completely forgot about. It’s an opportunity for us to reminisce (“Oh wow, I used to listen to this all the time when I was at school!”), to share (“I bet Kayleigh will love this, I’ll get her a copy”) and to ponder (“What was Fatboy Slim on when he wrote this one?!”).

Most of all, record stores allow us to take time out of our day and quietly enjoy who we are. Tastes and inspirations are specific to each of us, so let’s celebrate this individuality in a place filled with music and artwork, and where there’s always a human being to ask for a recommendation, one that isn’t based on the ‘Smurfs Go Pop’ CD you bought online as a joke gift for a friend.




And




Microvolunteering Day



For anyone who might be feeling the urge to do something worthwhile or an itch to give back to the community, but who just can’t quite seem to get around to starting, then Microvolunteering Day could be the answer.

Microvolunteering is a simple concept – individuals take convenient, bite-sized actions, often from home, in support of a good cause. This can be anything from writing a letter to an elderly hospital patient or tagging internet photos to help the visually impaired. Microvolunteering Day aims to raise awareness of this kind of short, easy, active citizenship and encourage people to get on and get involved.

So, why not use Microvolunteering Day to finally be that change you want to see, find a project you can support, and help make the world a better place – all from the comfort of your couch. Now that’s something worth volunteering for.

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April 15 Birthdays



Leonardo da Vinci - (1452 - 1519) (67)




Seth Rogen - 35




Emma Thompson - 58




Dan Smith - 37




Elizabeth Montgomery - (1933 - 1995) (62)




Kim Il-Sung - (1912 - 1994) (82)




Dave Edmunds - 73







April 15th

2003: Fleetwood Mac released their first album with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in 16 years Say You Will which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 Album Chart.

2001: Ramones singer Joey Ramone died of lymphoma at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He was 49 years old and when he died he was listening to the U2 song “In A Little While” which Bono later called an honor.

1996: Jerry Garcia’s ashes were scattered in San Francisco Bay near the Golden Gate Bridge. Another portion of Garcia’s ashes were spread in the Ganges River in India 11 days earlier.

1989: Poison peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their cover of Loggins and Messina’s “Your Mama Don’t Dance” which was their fourth top ten single in the U.S.

1988: Pink Floyd kicked off the second leg of their North American tour in support of A Momentary Lapse of Reason at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

1978: Kansas peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Dust in the Wind” which was their first and only top ten single in the U.S.

1977: Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Gary Rossington were awarded honorary Atlanta citizenship certificates for their part in saving Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre. In turn, Van Zant and Rossington presented then-Mayor Maynard Jackson with a Gold record for their live album One More from the Road.

1971: Rolling Stone magazine reported that the Illinois Crime Commission had issued a list of “drug oriented records” which included Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit”, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum & “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles.

1966: Buffalo Springfield made their live debut in San Bernadino, CA opening for The Byrds.



Birthdays:

Dave Edmunds born in 1944