26 February

NATIONAL TELL A FAIRY TALE DAY  

On February 26th, have a happily ever after kind of day. It is National Tell A Fairy Tale Day!

Tell A Fairy Tale Day

What were once oral histories, myths, and legends retold around the fire or by traveling storytellers, have been written down and become known the world over as fairy tales.

Origins of Fairy Tales

The origins of most fairy tales would fail today's standards of the Association of Fairy Tales. They told unseemly tales and would be rated as inappropriate for children. Most traveling storytellers told fairy tales with dramatic detail to make children behave, teach a lesson or pass the time much like ghost stories around a campfire today.

Many of the stories have some basis in truth. For example, some believe Margarete von Waldeck, the daughter of the 16th century Count of Waldeck, inspired the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The area of Germany where the family lived was known for mining. Some of the tunnels were so tight they had to use children - or small people such as dwarfs - to work the mines.

Margarete's beauty is well documented, and her stepmother sent her away. Margarete also fell in love with a prince but mysteriously died before she could have her happily ever after.

As the stories evolved, they took on a more magical quality with fictional characters such as fairies, giants, mermaids and gnomes, and sometimes gruesome story plots.

Toes cut off to fit into a slipper, a wooden boy killing his cricket, or instead of kissing that frog prince his head must be cut off, but those are the unrated versions.

Brothers Grimm, Aesop, Hans Christian Andersen

The brothers Grimm collected and published some of the more well-known tales we are familiar with today. Jakob and his brother Wilhelm set out on a quest to preserve these tales at a time in history when a tradition of oral storytelling was fading. In 1812, they published their first volume of stories titled Household Tales. Their stories' darker qualities were clearly meant for an adult audience.

Rumpelstiltskin is one of the tales they collected. Several other versions exist and the little man claimed many different names across Europe. From Trit-a-trot in Ireland to Whuppity Stoorie in Scotland,  Rumplestiltskin makes it difficult for historians to identify him.

While some storytellers have a long and sometimes ancient history such as Aesop (The Fox and the Goose, The Ant and the Grasshopper), others are more recent like the Grimm brothers.

First published in 1829, Hans Christian Andersen brought to us written versions of the Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, and many more. Where Grimm's tales could take on a darker cast and unmistakably written with adults in mind, Andersen's stories are sweet and warm.

How to Observe Tell A Fairy Tale Day

National Tell A Fairy Tale Day encourages you to tell a fairy tale or two. If you think you don't have a fair tale to tell, you might be wrong. We've told a few in our day, so we have a few tips to share with you.

• Engage your audience. Children like to participate. Have them quack every time you mention the Ugly Duckling or make the motions of climbing Jack's beanstalk.
• Use repetition. Repeated stanzas, syllables, or movements will keep the kids engaged. It not only helps them to remember the story but sets them up for the next round of the repeated phrase or stanza.
• Give your characters a voice. Nobody likes a monotone storyteller. Buehler, Buehler, Buehler. No, not even children like the monotone. Varying your voice for each character and inflecting excitement, sadness and disappointment will create drama and stimulate the imaginations of the little minds listening to you.
• Ask questions as you go. It's an excellent way to keep your story flowing and to gauge the children's listening skills.
• Find out if someone has a story of their own. You might be in the presence of a great storyteller!

Share your favorite fairy tale with friends and family. Try relating them from memory as this has long been a tradition.  Visit a library or local bookstore for story time.  Use #TellAFairyTaleDay to post on social media.

You can also learn more about your favorite fairy tales in 5 World-Favorite Fairy Tales and the Stories Behind them.   

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/lists/5-world-favorite-fairy-tales

National Tell A Fairy Tale Day

Within our research, we were unable to find the creator or the origin of National Tell A Fairy Tale Day.

Fairy Tale FAQ

Q. What is the purpose of a fairy tale?
A. Fairy tales serve many purposes but one of the main reasons for fairy tales is to teach a lesson. By the end of the story, the moral is clear.

Q. What are some of the morals fairy tales teach?
A. Fairy tales often present moral dilemmas for the characters to face. Some of them may be about:

• truth vs lies
• who to trust
• inner vs outer beauty
• people vs things
• keeping a commitment

Also

Letter to Our Elders Day

Pistachio Day

Set a Good Example Day

 

Today's Thought

Focus on what you can control.

 

 

22 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 

 

 

 

 

25 February

NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY  

Each year on February 25th people across the nation have a bowl and spoon ready to be filled with clam chowder as they prepare to participate in National Clam Chowder Day.

National Clam Chowder Day

A clam chowder in its simplest form is a soup or stew containing clams or fish. The most common type of chowder includes milk or cream as well as potatoes, though the Manhattan clam chowder has tomatoes.

 The origin of the word "chowder" is up for a little bit of debate.  The French word for cauldron is "chaudiere."  The English word "jowter" means fish peddler.  Both are on the hook for possible origins.

 In chowder, along with the clams, it is common to find diced potatoes, onions (often sautéed with pork or bacon drippings) and celery.

Following is a list of the basic clam chowder variants:

• New England clam chowder
• Manhattan clam chowder
• Rhode Island clam chowder
• Delaware clam chowder
• New Jersey clam chowder
• Hatteras clam chowder
• Minorcan clam chowder
• Long Island clam chowder
• Puget Sound clam chowder

How to Observe National Clam Chowder Day

Make your region's best clam chowder. Better yet, have a clam chowder taste-off!

• Invite friends and family to cook up a variety of chowders from all over the country and try them all.
• Let us know which one you liked best. Maybe you'll find a new appreciation for chowders. 

National Clam Chowder Day History

While we dig for the origins of this piping hot holiday, we don't mind if we have another serving or two to keep us warm. How about you?

Also

Chocolate Covered Nut Day

World Spay Day

 

Today's Thought 

Believe you can and you're halfway there. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

 

23 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 

 

24 February

NATIONAL TORTILLA CHIP DAY  

National Tortilla Chip Day on February 24th celebrates a crunchy chip that provides a multitude of ways to enjoy it! The day also shares the chip's history and many ways to enjoy this delicious snack food. 

National Tortilla Chip Day

Everyone loves tortilla chips! We most commonly served them with salsa, chile con queso, guacamole, cheese dips, or other dips. Tortilla chips are made from corn tortillas cut into wedges and then fried. The tortillas are made from corn, vegetable oil, salt, and water. Typically made with yellow corn, tortillas can also be made with white, blue, or red corn.

Even though tortilla chips have always been considered to be Mexican food, known as tostadas, they were first mass-produced in Los Angeles in the late 1940s.Rebecca Webb Carranza receives credit for making the crisp chips popular. She and her husband operated a deli and tortilla factory in Los Angeles. And its creation happened almost by accident!

Inspiration struck when the tortilla manufacturing machine discarded the misshapen tortilla. Carranza realized they could be cut into triangles and fried. She then sold them for a dime a bag at the El Zarape Tortilla Factory. Carranza received the Golden Tortilla Award in 1994 for her contribution to the Mexican food industry.

The United States is one of the primary markets for tortilla chips.

Another favorite dish made with tortilla chips is nachos.  Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya created the dish we call nachos around the year 1943. The tortilla chips are served with melted or shredded cheese. Additional toppings are often added, such as meat, salsa, refried beans, tomatoes, diced onion, lettuce, olives, jalapenos, guacamole, and sour cream.

How to Observe National Tortilla Chip Day

• Celebrate by eating tortilla chips!
• Make some nachos.
• Make homemade tortilla chips.
• Invite friends and family to enjoy tortilla chips with your favorite toppings.
• Visit a local restaurant with the best fresh-made chips. Don't forget to give them a shout-out, too!

National Tortilla Chip Day History

Nacho sure who originated this day, but we're pretty sure they loved tortilla chips! We'll let you know when we know more.

Tortilla Chip FAQ

Q. How many calories are in a tortilla chip?
A. One tortilla chip contains approximately 10 calories.

Q. Are there grain-free tortilla chips?
A. Yes! Visit National Grain-Free Day for some ideas.

Q. Who celebrates National Tortilla Chip Day?
A. Anyone who likes tortilla chips celebrates the day. You might even find deals at restaurants and pubs to make the celebration even better!

 

Today's Thought

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 

 

24 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

23 February

NATIONAL BANANA BREAD DAY  

February 23rd annually recognizes a well-known food holiday, National Banana Bread Day.

National Banana Bread Day

Bakers know that to make sweet and delicious banana bread, they need to use fully ripe, mashed bananas. The resulting quick bread is moist and almost cake-like. And while some recipes call for yeast, most don't. Either way, the finished product makes a tasty sliced snack. Toast it and add butter for an even more satisfying treat!

In the 1930s, baking soda and baking powder made banana bread and other quick breads standard features in American cookbooks. Pillsbury’s included banana bread recipes in its 1933 Balanced Recipes cookbook, too. The release of Chiquita Banana's Recipe Book in 1950 further secured the banana bread's acceptance. 

Surprisingly, bananas first made their appearance in the United States in 1870. For a long time, Americans saw the tropical fruit as merely that - a fruit, not an ingredient. It would take a few decades before they started seeing the banana's potential. 

Early Banana Bread

One early recipe came from The Vienna Model Bakery. It advertised banana bread as something new in the April 21, 1893, edition of St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  A new restaurant/bakery chain owned by Gaff, Fleischmann & Company, The Vienna Model Bakery was known for its baked goods and was likely one of the first to produce banana bread in the United States. The recipe was made with banana flour, made by drying strips of the fruit, then grinding it to a powder. This process had long been used in the West Indies.

In Hawaii during World War I, a surplus of bananas resulted from very few ships available to export the fruit.  To prevent waste, alternative uses for bananas were developed. For example, bakeries started incorporating the fruit into their bread.

This recipe was printed in The Maui News on April 12, 1918, for banana bread:

2/3 banana
1/3 flour
Yeast, coconut milk, or water

There was also rationing of staple food items such as flour. Banana flour was a suggested substitute. It was touted as a health food and recommended for a vegetarian diet.

This, of course, is not the quick bread we know today.  A recipe submitted by Mrs. Dean in the February 18, 1918, issue of The Garden Island paper for a banana muffin might more closely resemble the quick bread we think of today.

1 cup cornmeal
3-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 sifted banana
3/4 cup rye flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon Crisco

Mix dry ingredients, add banana, milk, and egg, and Crisco.

Quick Bread and Muffin

The difference between a quick bread and a muffin in baking has a lot to do with the type of fat and how it is mixed, creating a different crumb or texture to the bread.

In 1927, Unifruit (a wholesale produce company) offered a free cookbook called From the Tropics to Your Table. The book offered recipes full of bananas as ingredients, including banana muffins and breads. This little cookbook would have been handy during the Great Depression, which was just around the corner. At the time, families utilized every scrap of food, including overripe bananas. They cooked overripe bananas and other fruits and vegetables into breads, stews, and other dishes when flavor and texture were not as appealing raw.

How to Observe National Banana Bread Day

• Bake your favorite version of banana bread to celebrate.
• With so many varieties to try - banana nut, chocolate banana, and more - you can make more than one!
• Invite someone to join you or give a loaf or two away. 
• Visit your local bakery and pick up some banana bread. Don't forget to give them a shout-out!

National Banana Bread Day History

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this quick bread celebration. We suspect it was founded by someone who thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread!

Banana Bread FAQ

Q. Can I bake banana bread muffins instead?
A. Yes! That would be a perfect treat for the day.

Q. Can banana bread be frozen?
A. Yes. Wrap it well and place it in a freezer-safe container. It should keep for at least three months.

Q. My bananas aren't ripe enough for banana bread. What can I do?
A. Poke holes into the peel using a fork. Place in a 300°F oven for 15-20 minutes. The bananas should soften.

Q. My bananas are very ripe but I don't have time to bake banana bread this week. What can I do?
A. Freeze them in their skins. When you're ready to bake bread, let them come to room temperature and the bananas will slide right out of the skins and into your mixing bowl!

 Also 

Dog Biscuit Day

Tile Day

Today's Thought

You have to learn the rules of the game.  And then you have to play better than anyone else. 

 

 

25 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22 February

 NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY  

National Margarita Day on February 22nd rims a glass with salt and serves up a beverage that tastes like the summer sun. Whether you enjoy them on the rocks or blended, this day is for you!

National Margarita Day

Known to be the most common tequila-based cocktail served in the United States, the margarita is a cocktail that consists of tequila, triple sec, and lime or lemon juice. A key ingredient is the freshly squeezed lime juice.  In the United States, the most common lime is the thick-skinned Persian lime. When margaritas are made with lemons, they have a much softer taste.

When it comes to sorting out the legends associated with the origin of the margarita, there are many. Two things are certain; the cocktail included tequila, and the bartender edged the rim of the glass with salt. In Mexico, when drinking straight tequila (especially if the quality was bad), the best course of action was to down it in one swallow, suck on a wedge of lime, and lick a dash of salt off the back of your hand.

It makes sense that the salt followed the lime and the tequila to the margarita glass. Today, lime is not the only flavor of margarita, and the specialists behind the bar have gotten creative mixing dried herbs, infused sugars, and exotic salts to enhance both the presentation of the glass and the flavor of the cocktail. 

Margaritas can be served on the rocks (shaken with ice), frozen (blended with ice), or straight up (without ice).

Legends

There are many different stories and myths, beginning as early as 1938, as to how and when the margarita was created.

In the December 1953 issue of Esquire magazine, the margarita cocktail was the “Drink of the Month.”  The recipe as printed was:

• 1-ounce tequila
• Dash of Triple-Sec
• Juice of 1/2 lime or lemon

Pour over crushed ice, and stir.  Rub the rim of a stem glass with a rind of lemon or lime, spin in salt—pour, and sip.  (Wikipedia)

The margarita was further popularized with the 1977 release of Jimmy Buffett’s song “Margaritaville.”

How to Observe National Margarita Day

• Mix up a margarita at home.
• Ask your favorite bartender to make one for you. Leave a big Margarita Day tip, too!
• Share your favorite flavor of margarita and explore menus for new ones.
• Remember, always drink responsibly and never drink and drive
  

National Margarita Day History

National Margarita Day is claimed to have been founded by a few dozen bartenders, so it's hard to trace its exact origin.

Margarita FAQ

Q. When is National Tequila Day?
A. National Tequila Day is July 24th.

Q. What is the flavor of a classic margarita?
A. The flavor of a classic margarita is lime.

Q. How many calories are in a classic margarita?
A. It depends on who is making it. An 8-ounce margarita on the rocks can run between 200-400 calories. The range is so broad because some places add simple syrup or another sweet ingredient to cut the alcohol. However, a truly classic margarita will fall at the lower range of calories.

 Also

California Day

Cook a Sweet Potato Day

Supermarket Employee Day

Today's Thought

It's better to be alone than in bad company. ~ George Washington - 1st President - His birthday.

 

 

26 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 

 

 

21 February

NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY 

 

National Caregivers Day on the third Friday in February honors the healthcare professionals across the country providing long-term and hospice care.

**Not all caregivers are healthcare professionals.**  

National Caregivers Day

Around the nation, dedicated healthcare professionals serve those who require long-term or hospice care. They provide vital services, reassuring patients and the families who care about them. Often loved ones require care we are unable to provide due to our inability physically or not having the skills or means to provide the care. Expert caregivers are trained to provide round-the-clock services in safe environments. Their care enables the family to focus on their loved one's healing process. In hospice care, a caregiver allows the family to spend time with their loved one without worrying about medical responsibilities. 

Caregivers deliver a variety of duties from personal care to medical services with compassion and professionalism. Their days may be long and demanding, but they provide support to those who need it most.

The celebration recognizes caregivers who provide quality, compassionate care every day.

How to Observe National Caregivers Day

• Take time to thank a caregiver for their dedication and care of our loved ones. 
• Give them a card of thanks. This may seem like a simple gesture, but it will mean a lot to the caregiver.
• Let them know with a kind word of encouragement. Your recognition will inspire them to continue their quality work.
• Tell their supervisor how much you appreciate the services. Compliments are rarely voiced. Take the time to make yours heard.

National Caregivers Day History

Providers Association for Home Health & Hospice Agencies (PAHHHA) founded National Caregivers Day in 2015 to dedicate a day to caregivers everywhere. The first observance occurred in 2016. 

In 2016, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the day to be observed on the third Friday in February annually.

Caregivers FAQ

Q. Are caregivers nurses?
A. Some caregivers are nurses. However, a professional caregiver may also be a Certified Nurse Assistant or other professionals who are trained to provide a variety of services.

 Also

Grain-free Day

Sticky Bun Day

No One Eats Alone Day

 

Today's Thought

You will never win if you never begin. ~ Helen Rowland Journalist

 

 

27 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

20 February

 NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY 

On February 20th, pet lovers everywhere observe National Love Your Pet Day. This holiday focuses on giving extra attention to our pets. The day encourages pampering our pets and focusing on the special relationship pets hold in our lives.

National Love Your Pet Day

Did you know that most households in the United States have at least one pet? While there are more cats than dogs in the United States, more households have dogs than cats, but not by much. Pets are not limited to the canine and feline categories.  There are quite a few who prefer the companionship of birds, reptiles, fish, or rats. Whoever your pet companion is, we are sure you will enjoy spending a little extra time with them on National Love Your Pet Day and reap the benefits, as well such as stress relief and lower blood pressure. So on February 20th (and every day) show your appreciation to your pets!

How to 0bserve National Love Your Pet Day

• Bring your pet a special treat.
• Take your pet for an extra-long walk.
• Give them your undivided attention.
• Family and friends will appreciate your sharing a gift card they can use at their favorite pet store! 
• Check that their vaccines are up to date.
• Watch a pet video with them full of cats, dogs, and other critters. 
• Give them a few extra strokes with the brush while grooming. 
• Practice their favorite commands - sit, shake, rollover. 
• Play their favorite game or bring out their best toy.
• Inspect their toys to make sure they're in good shape. Throw out any broken toys. 
• Wash their bedding, even if it's not their laundry day. Let them fluff it up just the way they like it.
• Whatever you decide to do, spoil and appreciate your pets! 
  

National Love Your Pet Day History

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this pet-friendly day. While we do, we don't mind if we snuggle an extra minute with our furry friends, too!

 Love Your Pets FAQ

Q. I don't have a pet. Can I celebrate the day?
A. Yes. You might not have pets, but you might be a pet lover. Visit a shelter or ask a friend if you can spend time with their pets. 

Q. My pets are stuffed animals like Teddy bears and dolphins. Is it ok if I love those pets today?
A. Yes. Show them some love. Re-organize them. Get them a new wardrobe. Have a tea party. 

Q. Do all pets like to snuggle?
A. It depends on the pet. Even as snuggly as a cat may seem, many of them do not like to snuggle. And while that boa constrictor seems awfully friendly, we wouldn't mistake his attitude as snuggle-friendly. 

Also

Cherry Pie Day

Comfy Day

Leadership Day

Muffin Day

Today's Though

Don't wait for the right opportunity; create it. ~ George Bernard Shaw

 

 

28 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain