Today is...

[IceWizard]

22 May 2017


International Day for Biological Diversity



Biodiversity, a simple word with some very broad reaching implications. Biodiversity, when split into it’s component parts, “Diversity” defined as “a range of different things.” and bio meaning “life”, quite simply means “A Diversity of Life”. It has been shown that ecological niches with good biodiversity flourish and are healthy.

The History of the International Day for Biological Diversity

The International Day for Biological Diversity was first established in 1993, when the 29th of December was selected to serve as the day to educate the world of the importance of Biodiversity. This was later changed to the 22 of May in 2000. Too many winter holidays were interfering with countries holding meaningful celebrations.

The prevalence of mono-culture farming in the world has led to some rather dramatic and drastic consequences. Unknown to most consumers, most of the world only consumes one type of banana, and that isn’t the same kind that was being eaten only a few decades ago. Due to mono-culture farming, an entire species of banana was wiped out by disease, leading to the cultivation of our present strain. Without biodiversity, we’re currently set up for the same thing to happen all over again.

Each year a theme is selected to educate the world on the broad variety of topics that fall under the veil of biodiversity, from Water and Marine biodiversity, to Forest and Sustainable development concerns.



And




National Maritime Day



You've probably been noticing a theme about May and its holidays, almost all of them are centered on getting back out and into the world. With the warming sun and halting rains, are you the least bit surprised?

Still, Maritime Day isn’t necessarily about the ocean at large, but specifically about those men and women who spend their lives working on and around it. It specifically focuses on their safety, security, and all the little elements that make their lives, and a little bit of remembrance for how much we have to thank them for.

History of Maritime Day

Which is what exactly?

Well, maritime transport and work has been important since the human race first put something that floats in the water and decided to use it to get somewhere or do something. Maritime Day commemorates it and the incredible effect it’s had on our lives.

Just to start with the most basic point about it?

Sea Trade has been the largest carrier of Cargo in the history of the world, even the Silk Road didn't see as much cargo and trade-goods moving along it as the oceans have.

The wind is ever-present, the water buoyant and the siren-call of days at sea strong in everyone apparently. The one thing that is a water-transports weakness is things that must be delivered in a timely manner. Reliable the system is and always has been, fast it isn't, at least in today’s world.

So if you know someone who has worked in the sea trade or still does, Maritime Day is the perfect day to take a moment to thank them for all they did, and let them tell stories about their time on the salty black.

---

---

---

---

May 22 Birthdays



Naomi Campbell - 47




Harvey Milk - (1930 - 1978) (48)




John Henry Mears - (1878 - 1956) (78)




Bernie Taupin - 67







May 22nd

2011: Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer made his second appearance on The Simpsons where he appeared as himself.

2011: Former Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent was arrested on assault charges at his home in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Vincent allegedly smacked his wife in the face & dragged her through a pile of broken glass. Cops also found four dead dogs at the scene.

2001: Motley Crue released their autobiography The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band. The book went on to become a New York Times Bestseller.

2000: The ASCAP awarded Steely Dan the Founders Award, the ASCAP’s top honor for lifetime achievement in songwriting.

1999: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band sold out 15 concerts at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, NJ. These concerts set a record for number of shows during a single arena stay.

1979: Cheap Trick received their first Platinum album for At Budokan, which was initially only released in Japan & only released in the U.S. after import copies sold well.

1972: The Guess Who recorded their first live album Live at the Paramount at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.

1971: Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones begins a four week run on top of the Billboard 200 Album Chart.

1965: The Beatles went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the eighth time with “Ticket to Ride” which spent one week on top.



Birthdays:

Bernie Taupin - Lyricist for Elton John born in 1950