NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY
The second Sunday in June rewinds time for a moment for a celebration known as National Children’s Day in the United States.
The day honors the children in our lives by slowing down our fast-paced lives, turning off the tech, and refocusing on the important things. Taking one day may not be enough, but using it as an opportunity to redirect our family’s lives may be an important step in a child’s life.
Children look up to the adults in their lives for guidance. While their personalities are unique, they develop their character as they spend time with you and me.
Cherish our children, spend time with them. Seize the opportunity to spend time with your children and grandchildren. Make it your mission to:
- Start new traditions.
- Explore the outdoors.
- Tell family stories.
- Be creative through art or music.
- Teach them something new.
- Open your heart to new ideas.
- Listen to your children.
- Seek adventure with your children.
- Break out of old routines.
- Pursue new opportunities with your children.
Share your adventures with your children using #NationalChildrensDay to share on social media.
NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY HISTORY
Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea, Massachusetts started Children’s Day in 1856 as a special day to Baptize children. He originally named it Rose Day. In 1995, President Clinton proclaimed National Children’s Day as October 8th. He was later followed by President Bush in 2001 who declared the first Sunday in June as National Child’s Day. However, National Children’s Day is generally celebrated the second Sunday in June or October 8th.
NATIONAL RANDOM ACTS OF LIGHT DAY
Oftentimes it takes just one gentle word or small token to help overcome darkness. On June 13th, National Random Acts of Light Day encourages us to bring light to the darkness of cancer by surprising someone with an act of kindness.
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” ~ Edith Wharton
Unfortunately, receiving the diagnosis of cancer is one of the darkest moments a person can have. However, as part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walks fundraising campaign, Random Acts of Light brings awareness to the importance of providing cures. More importantly, the organization gives access to treatments for blood cancer patients.
Take a friend fishing or bring them their favorite cup of coffee. A simple visit, a walk, or a fresh bouquet of flowers brings the light into the room. Surprise someone you love, by bringing a sparkle to their day.
HOW TO OBSERVE #RandomActsOfLightDay
Share your Random Acts of Light on June 13th and throughout the year! Learn more about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s #RandomActsOfLightDay, Light the Night Walks. They also promote other campaigns, so follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. When you bring light into someone’s life, use #RandomActsofLightDay to share on social media.
NATIONAL RANDOM ACTS OF LIGHT DAY HISTORY
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) founded National Random Acts of Light Day to bring shine a light on the need for research and a cure for blood cancers. In 2017, celebrities and local heroes surprised people affected by blood cancers as part of Random Acts of Light.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world. They provide free information and support services and are the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the first observance to be observed on June 13, 2017.
NATIONAL KITCHEN KLUTZES OF AMERICA DAY
June 13th honors those who would like to cook and be in the kitchen, but it just doesn’t seem to work well for them. After all, it is National Kitchen Klutzes of America Day.
Klutz: most commonly referred to as a clumsy person.
Kitchen Klutzes are the people who set out with the intention of being like Gordon Ramsey or Julia Child as they open up the cookbook. As they place the mixing bowl and ingredients on the counter, they imagine knife cuts as swift as Wolfgang Puck or Bobby Flay. However, reality quickly dissolves all those dreams as smoke billows from the oven, and they mistake salt for sugar. Those knife cuts turn bloody, and cookies and fingers are burnt. The Kitchen Klutz has struck, and visions of spilled milk are pitifully cried over.
It may be necessary to keep a first aid kit and fire extinguisher handy when Kitchen Klutzes are around. Be prepared to call 911 and have your favorite take-out ready as a backup if you are still hungry.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalKitchenKlutzesDay
On National Kitchen Klutzes Day, be safe. You can also try celebrating with these ideas:
- Laugh at yourself. Share your mortifying stories of kitchen failure over take out Thai or pizza.
- Give your favorite Kitchen Klutz the gift of cooking classes.
- Watch your favorite cooking flops show.
Don’t forget to share your stories and celebrations using #NationalKitchenKlutzesDay on social media.
NATIONAL KITCHEN KLUTZES OF AMERICA DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this culinary holiday.
NATIONAL SEWING MACHINE DAY
Each year on June 13th, National Sewing Machine Day honors an invention that has kept us in stitches for over 150 years. Before the sewing machine, tailors and sewists created clothing by hand, stitch by single stitch. The invention of the sewing machine brought about revolutionary change. Not only did it boost an entire industry, but it also changed the way we viewed the garments we wore. However, the development of the sewing machine took time.
Skilled cabinet-maker and English inventor, Thomas Saint, received the first patent for a design of a sewing machine in 1790. He intended his design to sew on leather and canvas. However, he never advertised it and no evidence of the design, other than his drawings, could be found. In 1874, William Newton Wilson found Saint’s drawings in the London Patent Office. With some minor adjustments, Wilson built a working model. The London Science Museum currently owns Wilson’s model. Other sewing machine inventors include:
- Walter Hunt invented the first American lockstitch sewing machine in 1832.
- John Greenough patented the first sewing machine in the United States in 1842.
- In 1851, another inventor, Isaac Singer, developed a sewing machine model that would endure and also thrust him into court with Elias Howe over patent infringement.
Industrial use of the sewing machine reduced the burden placed upon housewives, moving clothing production from them and seamstresses to large-scale factories. This also resulted in a decrease in production time which caused the price of clothing to drop considerably.
Today, many people are again becoming interested in the art of sewing and making their own clothing. Crafts fairs and flea markets are filled with booths full of beautiful sewing machine-made clothes and craft items. Quilters across America are also known as sewing machine experts!
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSewingMachineDay
Show off your sewing skills. Pick out a new pattern and grab those sharp sheers. Other ways to celebrate include:
- Share your favorite sewing tips and tricks.
- Post of photo of your favorite sewn item. It may be a quilt, article of clothing, or art design.
- Name your favorite sewist, sewing machine store, or sewing tool.
Use #NationalSewingMachineDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL SEWING MACHINE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this innovative holiday.
NATIONAL WEED YOUR GARDEN DAY
National Weed Your Garden Day on June 13th each year serves as a reminder to all gardeners to take an extra 5 or 10 minutes while weeding their gardens.
One of the best gardening tips is to stay in control of your garden. Unfortunately, weeds grow fast, very fast. With inattention, they can soon become overwhelming. Giving daily attention to your garden makes it easier to maintain. Weeding 5 or 10 minutes each day will make the job seem bearable. It might even be enjoyable. This way you will be in control, and the weeds will not!
Excessive and unwanted weeds will crowd out plant roots and steal the nutrients that are needed for the plants to grow nice and be healthy. Helpful tips on reducing weeds in your garden:
- Cover the soil along rows and between plants with mulch.
- Make sure to keep all weeds away from young plants.
- Plant your plants closely together to leave less room for weed growth.
- Have soil weed-free before planting.
- Make sure you do not let any of the weeds go to seed.
- Keep the edges of your yard mowed short to lessen the invasion of weeds onto your property and into your garden.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalWeedYourGardenDay
Take time to weed your garden as you celebrate today. In addition, you can celebrate by:
- Committing to regular weeding to reduce weed growth.
- Weeding after a good rainfall while the soil is soft makes it easier to clean by the roots.
- Weeding your garden with a friend to makes the job go faster and feel more like a celebration!
- Rewarding yourself with tall glass of something iced and refreshing as you admire your weed-free garden.
Use #NationalWeedYourGardenDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL WEED YOUR GARDEN DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this gardening holiday.
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ernesto Miranda. The decision, written by Chief Justice Earl Warren, ruled that detained suspects have a constitutional right to be informed of their rights including the right to an attorney.
President Lyndon B. Johnson nominates Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court. Marshall became the first African American Supreme Court justice.
The NASA space probe, Pioneer 10, travels out of the orbit of Neptune, leaving the Solar System. It is the first man-made object to journey beyond our Solar System.
Timothy McVeigh receives a sentence of death. In 1995, he and Terry Nichols bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building claiming the lives of 168 people.
Recipe of the Day
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total Prep: 40 minutes
6 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup sugar + 3 tablespoons
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
16 ounces whipped cream
Placed sliced strawberries in a bowl with 1/2 cup of sugar.
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter until dough forms small pea-sized pieces. Add milk, cream, and vanilla. Stir until just blended.
Heat oven to 425°F. Drop large spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the shortcakes are golden brown.
Let cool slightly. Place each shortcake onto a serving plate. Slice the top off of each shortcake, dividing the cake in half. Place spoonfuls of strawberries on the bottom layer and top with whipped cream. Add the second layer of shortcake and top with remaining strawberries. Add a final dollop of whipped cream and serve.
William Butler Yeats – 1865
The Irish writer is known for his poetry and plays. In 1904, he helped to found the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. Some of his most notable works include “He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” and “The Lake Isle of Innisfree.”
Alice Stebbins Wells – 1873
In 1910, Wells became one of the first female police officers in the United States.
John Nash – 1928
John F. Nash shared a Nobel Prize for economics with Reinhard Selten in 1994. His contribution is a concept that later became known as the Nash equilibrium. He was also the subject of the film A Beautiful Mind.
Rose Elizabeth Cleveland – 1846
When Grover Cleveland began his presidency, he was a bachelor. His sister, Rose Cleveland, served as the acting first lady until he married Frances Folsom during his second term in office.
National Day Calendar® is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! Since our humble beginnings on National Popcorn Day in 2013, we now track nearly 1,500 National Days, National Weeks and National Months. In addition, our research team continues to uncover the origins of existing National Days as well as discover new, exciting days for everyone to celebrate.
There’s a celebration for everyone. While National Road Trip Day satisfies the itch to wander, many pet days let us share our love of animals. National 3-D Day and National Astronaut Day honor the advancement of technology, too. Every food day you can imagine (National Avocado Day, for example), will keep you celebrating, also!
Our Ambassador Program is another way #CelebrateEveryDay®! Whether you become an ambassador or follow one of the savvy ambassadors, their fun videos and posts will keep you prepared for every holiday.