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Bubble Gum Day
Bubble Gum Day
A Sweet Tradition That Raises Money and Brings Smiles
by Khaliya Torres
Bubble Gum Day first began in 2006 and was created by children’s author Ruth Spiro. She came up with the idea as a fun and simple way for schools and charities to raise money for things they need, such as supplies, programs, and events. On Bubble Gum Day, students are usually asked to donate about 50 cents for the privilege of chewing gum during class. Bubble Gum Day takes place on the first Friday in February.
Bubble Gum Day is important because the money raised from the fundraiser helps support schools and charities. It also teaches younger students the value of giving back to the community and helping people in need. Along with fundraising, Bubble Gum Day symbolizes youth, innocence, nostalgia, fun, and lightheartedness.
Bubble gum itself has a fun history, too. Bubble gum was invented in 1928 by Walter Diemer, who was actually an accountant, not a candy maker. The original bubble gum was pink because that was the only color available at the time. Bubble gum is stretchier than regular gum, which is what allows people to blow bubbles. The world’s largest bubble ever blown was over 20 inches wide! These fun facts make Bubble Gum Day even more exciting for students while supporting a good cause.
by Yerialys Treacy Ramos
National Hugging Day is an annual event dedicated to hugging in the United States. National Hugging Day was created by Kevin Zaborney. This day is about offering hugs to others. The day was first launched and celebrated in 1986 in Clio, Michigan. The psychological benefits of hugging are often highlighted, with a focus on improving mental health. National Hugging Day was created to encourage public affection and help combat post-holiday blues. Did you know that hugs from a partner can significantly lower blood pressure and heart rate before stressful situations? Hugs can also help with child development, as researchers suggest children need hugs for healthy emotional and physical development. While designed to encourage warmth, it is always important to ask permission first to ensure the gesture is well received.
by Gabriel Smaw
Groundhog Day is fairly well known, but not everyone knows exactly what it is. Some people may have never even heard of it, and that’s what this article is for. According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Day Club, Groundhog Day gives us a prediction of when spring may start, depending on when groundhogs emerge from their burrows. This year, Groundhog Day falls on February 2.
Groundhog Day has a long history, dating back to 1886, and it has deep cultural roots in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania through a traditional ritual held every February 2nd at Gobbler’s Knob. While it may not be a big deal in other places around the world, in Punxsutawney the town celebrates with festivals and parties honoring the early settlers. The town even has a name for their groundhog: Famous Phil, who is approximately 135 years old! That’s incredible, considering most humans don’t even live to 100. If Phil emerges from his burrow and sees his shadow, it signals six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, an early spring is predicted.
In conclusion, Groundhog Day is more than just a day to predict the start of spring. It has traditions and importance that tie deeply into the town’s history. And when the weather starts getting warmer, think of a groundhog burrowing out of its den.
But, hold onto those warm winter hats! This year's ceremony at Gobbler's Knob took place under especially frigid conditions, with temperatures dropping as low as -2 degrees Fahrenheit. An estimated 30,000 people braved the single-digit temperatures to witness the 140th annual event. This year Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and declared that we have 6 more weeks of winter!
by Khaliya Torres
Many people don't know what Black Friday is, so here are some words from Awareness Days. Black Friday is an annual shopping event that happens after Thanksgiving Day in the United States, known for major retail discounts and sales. This year, Black Friday will start on Friday, November 28th. Now let’s get into the facts about Black Friday and why so many people like it. People like it because it gives them a chance to get the things they want for a cheaper price, and it also makes a good opportunity to buy gifts!
Black Friday started with the Philadelphia police in the 1950s and ’60s, who used the term to describe the chaotic and overwhelming traffic and crowds the day after Thanksgiving. That is what we now know as Black Friday.
The Pros and Cons of Online vs. In-Store Shopping
The Pros and Cons of Online vs. In-Store Shopping
Pros of in-store shopping:
You can physically see and try on the items.
You can take your purchase home right away, avoiding shipping delays.
Some limited-quantity, highly discounted items are only in-store, often requiring you to arrive early.
Cons of in-store shopping:
You have to deal with large crowds, especially for popular items.
A physical store’s stock may be more limited compared to the online marketplace.
Pros of online shopping:
Shop from anywhere at any time, without crowds or a fixed schedule.
A much larger variety of products and deals are typically available online.
You can quickly compare prices across different retailers to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Cons of online shopping:
Items may not arrive for days or weeks, and stock can sell out quickly.
You cannot physically see or feel the product before purchasing.
Why Do People Call Black Friday “Crazy”?
Why Do People Call Black Friday “Crazy”?
People called Black Friday “crazy” because when stores had big sales, customers would rush to the stores, and when the doors opened, they would run in as fast as they could and grab whatever they wanted. Some people would even start fights over certain products.
So make sure you get all the good deals you can—but don’t miss out on them!
by Mehdi Ouali
Don’t you just love the smell of popcorn. It’s buttery and salty goodness just makes it one of the best snacks. Well National Popcorn day just happened and we're gonna talk about it
Evidence of popcorn was found over a thousand years ago in Utah. In 1948, kernels that were estimated to be a couple thousand years old were discovered in caves. In the late 1800s, popcorn began to be sold as a snack by street vendors. In the early 1900s, popcorn was introduced in movie theaters as a popular snack to eat while watching films.
By the 1980s, microwave popcorn became widespread and extremely popular. In 2003, people began recognizing National Popcorn Day, which is celebrated on January 19. Later, in 2013, Marlo Anderson’s National Day Calendar highlighted National Popcorn Day, helping it gain even more attention.
Now here are some fun facts about National Popcorn Day. Did you know that National Popcorn Day is not an official government holiday? Also, popcorn kernels that are over 500 years old can still pop. Pretty cool, right?
World Toilet Day
World Toilet Day
We’ll always need toilets, no matter what lies ahead
by Bentley Proffitt
World Toilet Day is an official United Nations international day. It was established in 2013 on November 19 to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis, as billions of people lack access to safe toilets. As time goes by, sanitation challenges continue. Around 3.5 billion people still don’t have access to safely managed toilets.
There are different types of toilets all over the world. Some people have more advanced toilets, while others don’t have the best. Some people have gold toilets, while others only have holes in the ground.
According to the United Nations, this year’s theme is “Sanitation in a Changing World.” Different countries observe World Toilet Day in different ways. India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, and Nepal celebrate in similar ways, with awareness campaigns, school programs, and toilet-building drives. The UK, Australia, Germany, and the U.S. tend to be a little more advanced, hosting events, fundraisers, and social media campaigns.
There are different types of toilets, such as one-piece, two-piece, wall-mounted, floor-mounted, and even smart toilets. Not all toilets are of good quality or in good shape. Poor sanitation can cause numerous infections and chronic diseases. Most of these infections and diseases are transmitted through contaminated water, food, or air.
Ways you can help with the sanitation crisis include raising awareness, creating care kits, building or funding toilets, donating water, and helping with homes through organizations like WaterAid. If you don’t know what WaterAid is, it’s a company that works in over 30 countries to provide clean water sources. Last year, WaterAid reached 131,000 people in schools with clean water, 153,600 people at home with decent toilets, and 167,400 people in healthcare centers with handwashing and hygiene solutions. There are multiple ways you can help with this sanitation crisis—even donating a small amount of money can go a long way.
If you think the toilets pictured here are interesting, just wait until you see what’s in the link below. It features 25 toilets from around the world—ranging from simple mud pits to creative handmade huts—and each one shows something unique about how different cultures solve the same everyday problem.
The Power of the Pickle
by Leighlyn Blevins
From Cleopatra’s rumored beauty secret to the modern deli counter, how did pickles become a global obsession? National Pickle Day—the day when pickles became famous—is on Nov. 14 to celebrate the history and popularity of pickles.
According to BBC Food, pickles became so popular because, with their tart, fresh, tangy, powerful, sweet, and savory flavors, they get people excited to eat them and want to eat more. Pickles got so popular that stores had to adapt to the demand. Fermented food has also increased in stock by two-thirds in the past few years.
According to Sucker Punch Pickles, pickles originally came from Ancient Mesopotamia around 1500 BC and were used for food preservation and beauty secrets by Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. According to Mentta, in the Middle Ages pickles remained a good way to preserve food. Over time, many different countries and cultures created their own techniques and recipes for making pickles, including kimchi from Korea or even tsukemono from Japan.
Many chefs around the world also use the strategy of pickling to keep food fresh longer and to add complexity to their dishes, such as burgers, tacos, salads, sandwiches, and even drinks like cocktails, including the Bloody Mary.
According to WebMD, pickles are cucumbers preserved in a mixture of vinegar, spices, and salt. Fermented pickles contain antioxidants—which kimchi and tsukemono have a lot of—fiber, beneficial bacteria that improve gut health and safety, and important vitamins and minerals, although they are also very high in sodium. Pickles can also be created by immersing fresh fruits or vegetables together. Pickle juice helps athletes replace lost electrolytes so they can regain energy. Athletes also use pickle juice because it is slightly better than water at easing muscle cramps, but drinking too much pickle juice can cause health issues. Dipping pickles in vinegar can also help make your blood sugar levels more even.
Pickles have a very common and unique name. According to PBS, the word “pickle” comes from the Dutch word “pekel” or the Northern German word “pokel,” meaning salt or brine—salt and brine being the two main components of the pickling process.
There are so many different varieties and flavors of pickles - I bet you didn't even know so many exist! There are dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, kosher pickles, sweet pickles, sour pickles, pickled peppers, gourmet pickles, cornichons, Chinese pickles, German pickles, gherkin pickles, mixed pickles, spicy pickles, jalapeño pickles, Kool-Aid pickles, kosher dill pickles, lime pickles, pickled carrots, fermented pickles, garlic pickles, Japanese pickles, pickled eggs, brined pickles, honey mustard pickles, sweet Cajun pickles, and horseradish pickles, just to name a few.
What Is National Absurdity Day?
By: Julianna Wilson
National Absurdity Day is a national holiday, or fun celebration, about everything weird! It happens on November 20th. National Absurdity Day was created to be a day to remember or even bring attention to all the wacky things in this world, especially in history! It’s just a fun day about learning crazy, weird new things. Isn’t that just great?
National Absurdity Day isn’t just about learning something new and weird — you can do all sorts of weird, wacky things on this day, like dyeing your eyebrows or even painting yourself a whole new color. National Absurdity Day originally began as a philosophical movement called absurdism, where anyone could do what they wanted on a whim that would be seen as absurd, of course. Since then, people have done all sorts of things on this day, like I mentioned before! You can do anything weird you’d like with no shame — just don’t get into trouble.
The philosophy behind absurdism really belongs to the mind of a Danish philosopher named Kierkegaard, dating all the way back to the 19th century! The idea of absurdism was to inspire humans to find meaning in a meaningless universe. The idea grew popular and became the inspiration for movements in theatre and literature in Europe and North America. These artistic movements led to an entirely new literature genre with plots based on weird and absurd behavior (the idea of finding meaning in something that’s really meaningless).
As the origins of National Absurdity Day are really unknown, we take this day as an opportunity to express ourselves.
National Fast-Food Day
By: Khaliya Torres
Here are some words from USA Today:
National Fast-Food Day is a holiday where we can celebrate the popularity of fast food in the United States. There are lots of fast-food restaurants around the world where you can eat whatever can be ordered from the menu.People like fast food so much because it’s cheap and very tasty. It’s also due to the high levels of salt, sugar, and fat in the food products. Fast food can save time if you don't want to cook, and it's always available and easy to clean up, so it doesn’t make that much of a mess.
The First Ever Fast-Food Restaurant
The first fast-food restaurant ever built was a restaurant called White Castle.
It was built in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas and founded by Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson. They built it to make hamburgers a mainstream and trustworthy food by creating a standardized, clean, and affordable dining experience for everyone to enjoy some delicious food.
Today, there are lots of different fast-food restaurants that people love and enjoy.
Why People Dislike Fast Food
Some people don’t like fast food because of its low nutritional value and high content of unhealthy ingredients like salt, sugar, and saturated fats.
Another reason people don't like it is because sometimes it's just not that good, depending on personal taste and the way people think about food.
The last reason some people dislike it is because they find it messy, especially with all of the grease in the food that many others love.
National Youth Confidence Day
by Adrianna Grajek
Have you ever felt insecure or full of self-doubt? National Youth Confidence Day is a day to focus on building confidence—specifically youth confidence. According to They Are the Future, 1 in 3 high school students struggles with low self-esteem, 4 in 5 teen girls are unhappy with their bodies, and 30% of teen boys want to gain weight to appear more “muscular.” There are many ways to help prevent these struggles so more teens can feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. Channel Kindness explains that National Youth Confidence Day is a time to recognize and appreciate the accomplishments of today’s youth and to help restore their confidence.
Celebrating this day is important because confidence plays a key role in everyday life. Many teenagers struggle with confidence in a world where social media often highlights perfection. Seeing people who appear flawless, reading comments, and noticing likes can make self-esteem take a hit. That is why National Youth Confidence Day is so valuable—it reminds young people that their worth is not defined by comparisons, and that everyone deserves to feel proud of themselves.
National Spread Joy Day
by Julianna Wilson
Are you tired of the negativity? Too much stress build up? Do you need a break, a super positive break? Well you’re in for a treat because October 11th must be your lucky day! National Spread Joy Day is proposed to be an opportunity to spread the knowledge of all your great moments with others, and learning to appreciate all the great things that you have around you. It is an opportunity to turn many frowns upside down! The goal is to earn the presence of the least negativity, by spreading positivity! It is even about affection, everything good. Give your friend a hug, or reassure them to let them know you’re there and that you care, anyone would appreciate that.
Hey, whose idea was it to think of this? Laura Jennings, the founder of Knack, a gift company in Seattle, started National Spread Joy Day in 2018. Laura began to feel that within the online world and social media there was just too much negativity. Her goal was to make a change within many communities, not just those residing within Seattle. As of today, National Spread Joy Day is recognized by many Americans and even the National Holiday Archives! How will you spend National Spread Joy Day?
Here is a list of many ways you can spread positivity:
Compliment somebody on something unique about their appearance
Ask someone about their day, what they like, be there to show that you’re listening and that you care
Gift someone something special, share something even
Encourage others to keep going, encourage someone to keep getting inspired
Spend the day hanging out with someone or more people, have a great time
Just saying I love you, or that you care about someone is enough to be positive.
Sometimes, someone might not understand you, have you ever heard of toxic positivity? Toxic positivity is never intentional, but there are better ways to say something positive. Instead of just straight up telling someone to stay positive, instead you can say something along the lines of “You can do this, I have hope!” “I believe in you, I know you’re strong.” “You got this, keep being great!” Phrases like these are way more stronger and effective than just saying “Stay positive.” because anyone with a lot of negativity and low self-esteem can potentially feel offended or not understand, the message won’t come off strong enough.
by Grayson Rupley
Have you ever tried mashed potatoes? The sweet creamy mix of butter and potatoes. According to the National Today Calendar, National Mashed Potato Day is October 18th. While it’s an unofficial holiday, it has a lot of people celebrating it every year. There is also a separate National Mashed Potato Day in Idaho which is actually celebrated every fourth Thursday of the month, can you imagine? They celebrate it every single month! That’s because Idaho is known for its potatoes. It's celebrated by donating potatoes, sharing potato recipes, and holding special events concerning potatoes. The holiday is becomming more and more popular.
How to make mashed potatoes:
Step 1: wash the potatoes, peel, and cut them into ½ inch chunks
Step 2: bring to a boil, turn down, simmer, and cook until the potatoes are tender (a fork can go through easily).
Step 3: drain the potatoes, add milk, butter, salt and pepper. Start mashing.
Random Potato Facts:
Thomas Jefferson served mashed potatoes in 1802 then it became widely accepted over the years.
Over 30% of Americans consider mashed potatoes to be the favorite way they eat potatoes
8% percent of British people consider it the favorite way they eat potatoes.
Around 77% percent of tables eat mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.
Humans have been growing potatoes since 8000 BC
Sir Walter Raleigh is credited with introducing potatoes to Ireland in 1589 which led to the creation of mashed potatoes!
This spread to the rest of Europe in 1620.
The governor of the Bahamas sent a gift package of mashed potatoes to the governor of Virginia.
The most mashed potato eaten in one minute is 1,120 grams (that’s almost 2 ½ pounds!), a record held by Andre Ortolf.
The Mashed Potato was a popular dance in 1962
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