Today is...

[IceWizard]

10 Jan 2017



Peculiar People Day



Peculiar People Day is here to celebrate the leaders of the strange and unusual, those who refuse to succumb to the world’s idea of what is normal and sane.

They challenge the status quo and utterly rebuke the concept that that which is out of the ordinary is bad.

Whether they simply dress in their own style, or have very clear ideas of what is right and normal, Peculiar People Day is their opportunity to shine.

History of Peculiar People Day

Contrary to what you might think, it has never been the normal people who have set the world in motion. Whenever there has come sweeping change, it has always been at the hands of someone who refuses to accept things as they are, they challenge established ideas and overturn conventions that are sometimes thousands of years old.

They seek the horizon of every field to determine what’s there, and bring joy to life by breaking out of the concepts that define ‘a normal and healthy life’.

The people Peculiar People Day was designed to celebrate are those who are just a little out of sync with everyone else. Maybe they have a particularly strange style of speaking, or an antiquated style of dress, maybe they live a modern life like they’re part of an era ages past.

They could be cosplayers or part of the Steampunk Fandom, maybe they play unusual instruments or practice an odd religion (Pastafarianism anyone?).

Whatever the case, Peculiar People Day was made for them.



And



Cut Your Energy Costs Day



It’s been a long cold winter, and no doubt you’re still living under the weight of those winter heating bills.

Ever wonder if there’s a way to break away from such high bills while not having to live in your house like you’re out in the cold?

Cut Your Energy Costs Day is your opportunity to take a look at your life and your home, and find ways of reducing how much energy you’re using. Not just for focusing on the winter months, this is your chance to address the year ahead and find out how to make your energy bills more affordable all year long.

History of Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Heating costs have been an issue as long as there were methods of heating that could cost you to maintain. Once we moved into cities, this has always been a concern, at first it was importing wood and coal for the fireplace and furnace, and eventually moved into paying the local utility for gas and oil costs, and in the most modern age, electricity.

Cut Your Energy Costs Day isn’t just about heating, but heating costs (and cooling!) are some of the most expensive bills we can pay throughout the year.

First established by the CEEA, (Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance) there isn’t a place in the world where the concerns raised by this day aren’t relevant.

If you’re trying to make your year a little more tolerable in the costs department, then Cut Your Energy Costs Day is a great place to start.

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January 10 Birthdays


Ronnie Hawkins - 81



Donald Fagen - 68



Michael Schenker - 61



Rod Stewart - 72



Pat Benatar - 64



George Foreman - 68



Sal Mineo - (1939-1976)



Frank Sinatra Jr. - (1944-2016)



Mary Ingalls - (1865-1928)



Ray Bolger - (1904-1987)






January 10th

2005: Kiss bassist and singer Gene Simmons was sued by former girlfriend Georgeann Walsh Ward alleging that a Kiss documentary showed her photo and made her out to be a “sex-addicted nymphomaniac”. The lawsuit was settled in June of 2006.

2003: U.K. police cracked a major bootleg operation in London and Amsterdam and arrested five men along with discovering 500 of The Beatles’ master tapes known as the “Get Back sessions” which were stolen in the 1970’s.

2000: While on tour in Kelowna, BC, a thief broke into Def Leppard’s tour bus. The thief stole $5000 worth of personal items, including singer Joe Elliot’s videotapes.

1999: The Moody Blues made a guest appearance as themselves on The Simpsons where they recited a poem based of Late Lament from their song “Nights in White Satin”.

1986: Ted Nugent made a guest appearance on Miami Vice where he played the villainous Charlie Basset.

1984: Ozzy Osbourne kicked off the North American leg of his tour in support of Bark at the Moon in Portland, ME. Motley Crue was the opening act for the North American leg of the tour, which was considered their breakthrough in the U.S.

1981: Heart peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their cover of Aaron Neville’s “Tell It Like It Is”, their second top ten single.

1978: The Sex Pistols made their debut on U.S. television on the program Variety.

1964: The Beatles released their first album in the U.S. Introducing…The Beatles which went on to reach number two on the Billboard 200 Album Chart.



Birthdays:

Ronnie Hawkins born in 1935

Rod Stewart born in 1945

Aynsley Dunbar - Drummer for Frank Zappa, Journey and Jefferson Starship born in 1946

Donald Fagen - Singer for Steely Dan born in 1948

Pat Benatar born in 1953

Michael Schenker - Guitarist for The Scorpions and UFO born in 1955

[IceWizard]

11 Jan 2017

Learn Your Name In Morse Code Day



Morse Code was one of the most important innovations of communications the world has seen, serving as the foundation of one of the first high-speed communications networks in the world.

Used for everything from semaphore communication, to flashing with lights, to drawing it out as a sort of code, and most importantly, the use of telegraphs to help transmit information across vast distances in the days before the telephone, it’s hard to understate the importance of Morse Code.

History of Learn Your Name In Morse Code Day

Morse Code is attributed to three different inventors, Samuel F. B. Morse, Physicist Joseph Henry, and Alfred Vail, who all worked together to produce a system of transmitting information via Electric Telegraph.

As the only way they were able to transmit information was in electric pulses, there was a lot of consideration that went into deciding exactly how it was all going to play out.

The result was Morse Code, and it was intended to be a lot more efficient than it became at the time. There was a system developed in 1841 that would have allowed for Morse Code to be translated directly into letters at the receiving end, but oddly this system never caught on.

Learn Your Name In Morse Code Day was created by someone known only as Brownielocks, and was done as part of trying to revitalize the love and recognition of this fading method of communication.

While it’s no longer necessary to getting a Ham Radio License, it is still felt that it’s incredibly important to pass on, so that this versatile method of communication doesn’t disappear.



And



National Milk Day



It is generally thought that Milk Day was created to celebrate the first time milk was delivered in glass bottles.

Prior to this, conditions for milk delivery were fairly unsanitary but the new bottles enabled safe and clean storage.

However, Milk Day soon grew to be a day dedicated to all aspects of milk. Whether it is the health benefits of drinking it through to the farming industry that produces it, the day can be used to celebrate the wonders of milk.

Many schoolchildren are encouraged to take part in Milk Day so that they start the good habit of drinking milk from a young age. They can also learn about the various ways milk can be used to create different foods like cheese.

Trips to a local dairy are a good place to learn new facts about the process and many farms often encourage educational visits on this day.

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January 11 Birthdays


Alexander Hamilton - (1755-1804)



Mary J. Blige - 46



Tony Kaye - 70



Clarence Clemons - (1942 - 2011)






January 11th

2004: Ted Nugent needed 40 stitches to his leg after wounding himself with a chainsaw in Waco, TX while filming a segment for his reality television show Surviving Nugent: The Ted Commandments.

2003: T. Rex drummer Mickey Finn died from alcohol related liver problems in a London hospital. He was 55 years old.

1993: Ted Nugent was fined $1,000 for shooting off two flaming arrows during a Damn Yankees concert at Cincinnati Gardens. Nugent was also given a three-day suspended sentence for a misdemeanor fire-code violation.

1992: Nirvana’s landmark album Nevermind reached the top of the Billboard 200 Album Chart for the first of two non-consecutive weeks at number one. They also peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and made their debut appearance on U.S. television on Saturday Night Live on this night.

1985: The first Rock in Rio festival kicked off in Rio de Janeiro. The ten day festival featured artists such as Queen, Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Yes, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, The Scorpions and Whitesnake.

1975: Led Zeppelin performed “Kashmir” live for the first time during a concert at the Ahoy in Rotterdam, Holland.

1968: U.K’s Daily Mirror newspaper reported that Jimi Hendrix moved into the townhouse that George Frideric Handel was believed to have composed his famous Water Music and Messiah works. Hendrix was later quoted as saying he “will not let tradition down”.

1967: The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded “Purple Haze” at Olympic Studios in London.

1964: The Whisky a Go Go opened in West Hollywood, CA. This club would go on to be a launching pad for such acts as The Doors and Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention.



Birthdays:

Clarence Clemons - Saxophonist for the E Street Band born in 1942

Tony Kaye - Keyboardist for Yes born in 1946

[IceWizard]

12 Jan 2017

National Pharmacist Day



Pharmacist Day implores us to take a moment to think of all the people who work as pharmacists.

They only see us when we’re sick with a cold, cough, measles or have a hangover… or when we’ve run out of toothpaste.

These poor folks help us to feel better, and only ever see us at our worst. Take a moment to visit a pharmacy with a smile on your face and a healthy bounce to your step – we’re sure you’ll surprise them!



And



National Kiss A Ginger Day



Fiery red hair, pale skin, and eyes of blue or green. These are the defining characteristics of some of the most amazingly attractive human beings in existence.

They were once held as being holy as they were believed to have stolen the very fire of the Gods and imbued their crimson locks with it.

Kiss A Ginger Day is your opportunity to steal a kiss from one of these amazingly attractive genetic rarities.

History of Kiss A Ginger Day

Kiss A Ginger Day was established in 2009 by Derek Forgie as part of a Facebook group, intended to offset the far less fun Kick A Ginger Day that takes place in November.

After the events of this aggressive event, gingers everywhere were tormented and assaulted in schools all over the world.

Redheads are some of the rarest expressions of genetics in the world, true red only being present in 1-2% of the population. The range of colors that can be seen range from Burgundy to bright copper, with a few instances of an unfortunate bright orange in between.

While in some parts of the world this color hair is disparaged, and the origin of such phrases as “like a red-headed stepchild”, the rest of the world has an undying love affair with them.

Red hair dye is one of the most popular hair care products, and it comes in a wide array of colors, including some never found in nature.

As an interesting fact, while Ireland is heavily associated with red hair, those with red hair actually have an older origin. Red hair is a layover from the days of the Viking invasions, bring brought in from immigration and acts of heinous violence against the Vikings’ victims.

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January 12 Birthdays


Long John Baldry - (1941 - 2005)



Howard Stern - 63



Rob Zombie - 52



Rush Limbaugh - 66



Kirstie Alley - 66



Georgia May Jagger - 25



Joe Frazier - (1944-2011)






January 12th

2004: Frank Zappa’s widow Gail appeared in a Quebec City court in a lawsuit against a Quebec furniture store chain for unauthorized use of Zappa’s “Watermelon in Eastern Hay” in a television commercial. The lawsuit would be settled out of court the following day.

2001: The third Rock in Rio festival kicked off in Rio de Janeiro. The seven day festival featured artists such as Guns N’ Roses, Rob Halford, Iron Maiden, James Taylor, Neil Young, R.E.M., and Sting.

1996: AC/DC kicked off their first tour in four and a half years at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC in support of their album Ballbreaker. This tour featured the return of drummer Phil Rudd who previously left the band in 1983.

1993: The eighth annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held in Los Angeles for the first time. Cream performed for the first time in 25 years, The Doors performed with Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder and John Fogerty performed Creedence Clearwater Revival songs with Bruce Springsteen and Robbie Robertson as his fellow surviving bandmates were barred from the stage.

1991: Damn Yankees peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “High Enough” which was their only top ten single in the U.S. And the highest charting single of Ted Nugent’s career.

1983: Rebop Kwaku Baah, percussionist for Traffic died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Stockholm. He was 38 years old.

1981: The RIAA donated Alive! by Kiss, Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan and Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols to the Library of Congress.

1974: The Steve Miller Band reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the first time with “The Joker” which spent one week on top of the chart.

1971: Alice Cooper released their third album Love It to Death which went on to become their breakthrough album reaching number 35 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and selling one million copies in the U.S.



Birthdays:

Long John Baldry born in 1941

[D-izzy]

This is always a great thread, you never know what your gonna learn!  Especially intresting for me is the "Beat You Like A Red-Headed Step-Child" saying...

My, "oh-so-loving" Older Sister has been using that one on me for the last few years, I never bothered to look up its meaning, and thought nothing of it.

Now I know what she actually meant by it, though its not so surprising really after these last few months...

And before you ask, no I don't have red hair, though funnily enough she does!! (False though it is)

Very intresting, as always Iceman!


Izzy

[IceWizard]

13 Jan 2017 (Friday eek!)

Make Your Dream Come True Day



People often make the mistake of letting their dreams remain just that: dreams. Dreams they have at night but then neglect in the morning. Dreams they hardly dare speak of lest they don’t come true. Little bits of fantasy doomed to remain that way.

But they don’t have to!

Of course, there are some dreams, like becoming a neon flying tiger that fights crime with Batman every night, that will likely never come true. But there are also thousands of dreams that are not early as impossible as we think them to be, and could be could in fact be fulfilled with a little planning and work, and sometimes just the courage to do something different than you have in the past.

The History of Make Your Dream Come True Day

Make your dreams come true day did not have just one founder, or just one founding date, either. Make Your Dream Come True Day is a day that came into existence as a result of the hard work and persistence of all of the people in this world who have been able to make their dream reality, from Bob Dylan, who composed music and lyrics based on his own dreams, to Mary Shelley, who wrote Dr. Frankenstein based on a nightmare she’d had, to James Cameron, whose masterpiece Avatar was also based on a in incredibly colorful and detailed dream he’d had.

Make Your Dream Come True Day honors all of these people and more wo have had the courage to pursue their dreams and make them a reality.

As should you.



And



Rubber Duckie Day



Rubber Ducky’s have a long and respected history in the world of children, and most of us remember having at least one as part of our collection of bath-time toys.

Rubber Duckies have a clouded history, no one really knows precisely where they came from, but whether it was our own bath time or the song from Ernie from The Muppets, we all knew of them and wanted one!

Rubber Duckie day is here to help us remember to appreciate this part of our childhood cleansing ritual.

History of Rubber Duckie Day

The History of the Rubber Duckie, at least its origins, are lost to the mists of time, but what is known is that they first appeared prior to World War I, and were actually shaped like a broad variety of animals. Rubber Duckies were just the most popular of the varieties.

During the era of the World Wars, rubber was too valuable a commodity to be used on simple toys, so plastic and vinyl began to be used.

Landon Smart Lawrence was the first to patent a design for these illustrious toys, specifically the variety that was weighted so that, while still buoyant, it would always stand up the right way in the water.

While it was a patent for a broad variety of toys, it was the duck that was included in the design.

Rubber Duckies also have the distinction of being one of only 53 toys that are included in the Toy Hall of Fame, first established in 2013.

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January 13 Birthdays


Trevor Rabin - 62



Patrick Dempsey - 51



Orlando Bloom - 40



Julia Louis-Dreyfus - 56



Ginger Zee - 36



Trace Adkins - 55



Shonda Rhimes - 47






January 13th

2004: The NFL rejected Bono’s request to perform “American Prayer” during the Super Bowl halftime show as part of an effort to raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

2003: Who guitarist Pete Townshend was arrested on suspicion of possession of child pornography. Four months later Townshend received a warning as no evidence was found on his computers.

1986: Sex Pistols members John Lydon, Steve Jones, and Paul Cook, as well as the mother of late bassist Sid Vicious filed a lawsuit against former manager Malcolm McLaren for $1.7 million. This suit would later be settled out of court.

1980: The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Starship, The Beach Boys, Santana and Joan Baez performed a benefit concert for the people of Kampuchea at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, CA.

1979: Toto peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their debut single “Hold The Line”.

1978: The Police began recording their debut album Outlandos d’Amour at Surrey Sound Studios in London.

1977: Queen kicked off their tour in support of A Day at the Races at the Milwaukee Auditorium. Thin Lizzy was the opening act.

1973: Eric Clapton performed in public for the first time since The Concert for Bangladesh at London’s Rainbow Theatre. The concert was organized by Pete Townshend and included appearances by Townshend, Steve Winwood and Ronnie Wood.

1969: Elvis Presley started recording in Memphis for the first time since the Sun sessions in 1955.



Birthdays:

Trevor Rabin - Guitarist for Yes born in 1954

[IceWizard]

14 Jan 2017

Dress Up Your Pet Day



Dress Up Your Pet Day is an opportunity to wow the neighbors, and to unleash the inner diva of your favorite pooch or Persian… Why not go the extra mile, and get the little guy or gal something to match your finest glad rags – that way you can both dress to impress and really set some trends!



And



International Kite Day




They’re pretty, they’re colorful, and they flutter and float in the air….what could they be? Kites, of course! Who could imagine a better way to spend time than with flocks of other people, every person with his or her own beautifully decorated kite? If you’re a fan of such happy, vibrant holidays, International Kite Day is not a holiday you’d like to miss.

The History of International Kite Day

International Kite Day originated in India, in the state of Gujarat, which is famous for the amount of festivals taking place there every year. The inhabitants of Gujarat begin manufacturing the kites months in advance so they can be sure to have enough, as millions of people visit Gujarat during it. The kite festival, called Uttarayan in Hindi, celebrates the day that winter ends and summer begins, as well as the upcoming harvest season, and the kites symbolize the spirits of the gods that are awaking from their deep winter sleep. Originally, kite-flying was a sport practiced by royalty and the very wealthy, but in the recent years it has become a festival for all that people come from all over the country and even the world to take part in, especially people from Japan, Italy, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, France, and China.

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January 14 Birthdays


LL Cool J - 49




Benedict Arnold - (1741 -1801)




Faye Dunaway - 76




Zakk Wylde - 50




Emily Watson - 50







January 14th


2005: Linda Cummings, widow of Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone unveiled a bronze statue at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery honoring the late guitarist who died the previous September.

2000: Melissa Etheridge revealed to Rolling Stone that David Crosby was the surrogate father of her two children with partner Julie Cypher.

1999: Jerry Hall filed for divorce from The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger. They had been together since 1977 & married since 1990.

1992: New York Dolls drummer Jerry Nolan died after he fell into a coma after suffering a stroke a few weeks earlier in New York City. He was 45 years old.

1984: Paul McCartney reached number one on the U.K. Singles Chart with “Pipes of Peace”, making McCartney the first artist to reach the top as a member of a group, in a duo (with Stevie Wonder), in a trio (with Wings) & as a solo artist.

1978: The Sex Pistols performed their final concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The group would reunite in 1996, 2003 & 2007.

1973: Elvis Presley performed his Aloha from Hawaii concert which was broadcast on television worldwide via satellite to an audience of one billion. American fans had to wait until April to watch the program.

1966: David Bowie released his debut single “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” on Parlophone Records in the U.K. & Warner Bros. in the U.S. Bowie also changed his stage name from David Jones to David Bowie to avoid confusion with The Monkees’ Davy Jones.

1963: Charlie Watts performed his first concert as the drummer for The Rolling Stones at the Flamingo Jazz Club in Soho, outside of London.

Birthdays:

Allen Toussaint born in 1938

Geoff Tate-singer for Queensryche born in 1959

Zakk Wylde-guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne born in 1967

Dave Grohl-drummer for Nirvana, singer & guitarist for the Foo Fighters born in 1969

[IceWizard]

15 Jan 2017

Hat Day

“That season we were loaded with pizazz. Earrings of fuchsia and peach. Mind you, peach. And hats. Hats, hats, hats for career girls,” –
This quote from Too Wong Foo,

Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, perhaps defines one of the most amazing things about hats. They enable the person wearing them to be absolutely anything, and to bring a sprig of style to an outfit, and truly round it out. From protecting your head from the cold or heat of the day, to just expressing who you are to the world, Hat Day is a great day to sport your best headwear!

History of Hat Day
Hats have been in the world since at least 3000 BC, as an image of a man wearing a hat of straw was discovered in a mural from that time. Since then, hats have served some incredibly diverse purposes, from simple protective wear to help those stuck out in the rain, cold, or hot sun, to indicating status and rank. Who doesn’t recognize a crown as the ultimate mark of royalty? Hats have undergone an immense amount of changes, with varieties appearing all over the world in every possible culture.

Whether for the soldier protecting his skull from incoming damage, the lieutenant making sure that his troops know where to look for direction, or the dapper gentleman in the Top Hat on his way to the opera, everyone has a love and use for hats. Hat Day is the best time for you to break out your favorite headwear, and use them to make a huge impression.



And



National Strawberry Ice Cream Day



Red, ripe, juicy strawberries churned and frozen with some fresh cream and a bit of sugar is all that is needed to make a delicious strawberry ice cream. And as it’s Strawberry Ice Cream Day, you don’t need to be named Ben or Jerry to celebrate – everyone can enjoy a bowlful!

Variations of ice cream and fruit ices go back for thousands of years. As long ago as 3000 BC, people in China would serve their guests sweetened juices mixed with snow or ice shavings.

Fruit ice creams continue to be extremely popular, with strawberry ranking third after vanilla and chocolate. This is not a surprise, considering how refreshing and mouth-wateringly delightful a bowl or cone of strawberry ice cream is! Celebrate its special day today with a trip to the ice cream parlor or grocery store and say a very berry hello to the sweet strawberry!

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Grace VanderWaal - 13



Martin Luther King Jr. - (1929 - 1968)



Pitbull - 36



Ronnie Van Zant - (1948 – 1977)





January 15th


1998: Harmonica player Junior Wells, who played with artists such as The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison & Buddy Guy died of lymphoma. He was 63 years old.

1994: Bryan Adams began a two night stand at the Le Let Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Adams was the first major Western artist to perform in Vietnam since James Brown in 1971.

1992: Longtime bassist for Elton John, Dee Murray died in Nashville after suffering a stroke. He was 45 years old.

1982: The Police kicked off the North American leg of their tour in support of Ghost in the Machine at Boston Garden. The Go-Go’s were the opening act.

1977: The Eagles reached number one on the Billboard 200 Album Chart for the third time with Hotel California which spent eight non-consecutive weeks at number one.

1974: Brownsville Station received their only Gold record for their song “Smokin’ in the Boys Room”, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart & later covered by Motley Crue in 1985, which became the Crue’s first top 40 single.

1967: The Rolling Stones appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show & changed the lyrics of “Let’s Spend the Night Together” to “Let’s Spend Some Time Together”.

1965: The Who released their debut single “I Can’t Explain” in the U.K., where it would reach number eight on the U.K. Singles Chart.

1965: Bob Dylan completed recording his fifth studio album Bringing it all Back Home at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City. It went on to be Dylan’s first album to reach the top ten of the Billboard 200 Album Chart, peaking at number six.

Birthdays:

Ronnie Van Zant - Singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd born in 1948

Melvyn Gale - Cellist for Electric Light Orchestra born in 1952

[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

[IceWizard]

17 Jan 2017

Kid Inventors’ Day

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
— Pablo Picasso

Just because children possess less knowledge of how the world works, that doesn’t mean they can’t have ideas for practical and useful inventions. In fact, many people believe that children are capable of being particularly creative for the simple reason that they don’t yet know how difficult many things are, and are therefore able to imagine much more than adults. In fact, there are plenty of things we enjoy on an everyday basis that were invented by children or teenagers. And if their creativity doesn’t deserve recognition, what does? Kid Inventors’ Day is the day we celebrate all the kids who dared to defy the world and come up with better solutions than all of the adults before them.

The History of Kid Inventors’ Day
Kid Inventors’ day was created several years ago by people who wanted to celebrate the achievements of the youngest inventors as well as encourage more children to be creative. The date chosen to celebrate this day, January 17th, was no accident—it is the anniversary of renowned polymath, politician and child inventor Benjamin Franklin’s birthday. Due to his countless other achievements, many people don’t know that when Franklin was just 12 years old, he invented the world’s first swim flippers, making him a great role model for every child who dreams of making something nobody has ever seen before. Over the centuries, other children have invented many other things we continue to use today, such as popsicles (a very tasty accident!), the trampoline and ear muffs. Perhaps one of the most impressive things invented by a child is the language of the blind now used the world over, Braille. Louis Braille, its inventor, lost his vision in a tragic accident at age 3 and spent his early teen years developing his new language while studying at The National Institute for Blind Youth in Paris. Almost 200 years later, American teen Ryan Patterson also improved the lives of the disabled when he invented a glove with special sensors that translates the hand motions of American Sign Language into written words on a digital display.




And



Cable Car Day



In early 1871 British-born, US resident Andrew Smith Hallidie received the first patent in relation to the cable car, an occasion which is marked by Cable Car Day.

Hallidie’s design for cable-propelled transit emerged when he witnessed horses falling, and even dying, while attempting to pull cars up San Fransisco’s steep Jackson Street. Fortunately for San Fransiscan equines, Hallidie had the talent to turn his sympathy into action, having previously invented a type of aerial tramway and designed improvements to mining ropes which resulted in their economic life extending by more than 873%…

Two years after receiving his cable car patent, Hallidie set up the world’s first cable car rail road on Clay Street. None of the original line survives but grip car 8 is preserved in Mason Street’s Cable Car Museum (which, obviously, sits on two of San Fransisco’s three cable car routes).

Those who find themselves outside San Francisco on Cable Car Day can still get in on the fun. Other cities operating cable car railways include Venice, Tampa, Las Vegas and Milan but, if you’re nowhere near a rail road, you can still honor the origins of the cable car by patting a horse on the head!

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January 17 Birthdays


Michelle Obama - 53



Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) - (1942 - 2016)



Betty White - 95



Jim Carrey - 55



Steve Harvey - 60



Benjamin Franklin - (1706 - 1790)



Lil Jon - 46

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Kid Rock - 46



James Earl Jones - 86



Maury Povich - 78



Eartha Kitt - (1927 - 2008)



Mick Taylor - 67




January 17th


2003: A lost song recorded by Mick Jagger & John Lennon recorded in 1974 sold for over $2,200 at a London auction. The song, a cover of Willie Dixon’s “Too Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup)” was recorded in Los Angeles in 1973.

1989: “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer was certified Gold by the RIAA, making it Palmer’s only Gold certified single.

1981: The Police peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da” which was their second top ten single in the U.S.

1981: Cheap Trick made their first and only appearance on Saturday Night Live where they performed “Baby Loves to Rock” & “Can’t Stop it But I’m Gonna Try”.

1976: Sweet peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Fox on the Run” which was their third top ten single in the U.S.

1975: Bob Dylan released Blood on the Tracks, an album which has gone on to be recognized as one of Dylan’s best albums.

1970: The Doors began a two night stand a New York City’s Felt Forum which was recorded for their live album Absolutely Live, later released that July.

1969: Led Zeppelin released their self-titled debut album in the U.S. which later reached number ten on the Billboard 200 Album Chart & sell eight million copies in the U.S.

1969: Elton John released his second single “Lady Samantha” which was his first single in the U.S.



Birthdays:

Mick Taylor - Guitarist for The Rolling Stones born in 1948

[IceWizard]

18 Jan 2017

Winnie the Pooh Day



One of the cuddliest holidays around has to be Winnie the Pooh Day, celebrated on the birthday of author A A Milne. It’s one special anniversary fans just can’t bear to miss! Every year, the occasion is marked with events such as teddy bears’ picnics, featuring plenty of honey on the menu.

Winnie the Pooh first appeared on the printed page in 1926, together with friends Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. All of them were based on toys owned by the author’s son, who also featured in the famous stories as Christopher Robin. The character later starred in a series of much-loved Disney films. One extra-special way to mark the day is to visit Pooh Corner in Hartfield, East Sussex, where the books were written. You can pick up a map to follow in the characters’ footsteps, and even play a game of Poohsticks on the original bridge.



And



World Religion Day



Our World has hundreds of nations with thousands of cultures that stretch back into pre-history, and throughout all that time we’ve had countless religions rise to prominence. Whether you’re Hindu, Jewish, Catholic, Shinto, Buddhist, or one of a million other faiths, World Religion Day is your chance to share your culture with others and take an opportunity to learn from others about theirs.

History of World Religion Day
World Religion Day was first celebrated in Portland, Maine under the title of “World Peace Through World Religion.” Firuz Kazemzadeh hosted the talk in Eastland Park Hotel in October of 1947, since then the observance of this day has spread throughout the world with the center being held at various locations with strong authors, educators, and philosophers speaking about the importance of World Religions.
Sri Lanka went so far as to release a postage stamp honoring World Religion Day, with another issued by the Republic of Congo. The focus of this holiday is to spread awareness and knowledge of the thousands of religions practiced in the world today, and a sharing of tolerance and understanding between people of all faiths.

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January 18 Birthdays


Kevin Costner - 62



Oliver Hardy - (1892 - 1957)



Cary Grant - (1904 - 1986)



AA Milne - (1882 - 1956)






January 18th


2000: ZZ Top manager Bill Ham attended the execution of Spencer Goodman in Huntsville, TX. Goodman was found guilty of kidnapping & murdering Ham’s wife in 1991.

1995: Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia walked away uninjured after driving a rented BMW into a guardrail near Mill Valley, CA.

1992: Bob Dylan performed “Like a Rolling Stone” at the taping of David Letterman’s tenth anniversary special at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

1991: At an AC/DC concert in Salt Lake City at the Salt Palace, three fans were trampled to death on the general admission floor.

1991: The second Rock in Rio festival kicked off the first of ten days in Rio de Janeiro. Some of the artists who performed on the festival included Santana, Guns N’ Roses, Billy Idol, Judas Priest, Faith No More, & Queensryche.

1987: Steve Winwood got married for the second time. He married Eugenia Crafton with whom he remains married to this day.

1985: Readers of USA Today declared that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should be placed in Cleveland.

1984: Van Halen kicked off their tour in support of 1984 at Jacksonville Coliseum in Jacksonville, FL. It was the final tour of the group’s original lineup.

1974: Free’s Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke, Mott the Hoople’s Mick Ralphs & King Crimson’s Boz Burrell formed Bad Company.