Before medicine became a profession practiced by professionals, when people were ill or injured they relied on unproven methods that weren’t often very effective and sometimes more dangerous than the disease. Even today, with modern doctors and proven medical techniques, some folks still turn to superstition and folk remedies. Here are a few (for entertainment … Read more
The Great American Smokeout® sponsored by the American Cancer Society occurs annually on the third Thursday of November. In 2014, the event will take place on November 20th around the country. Addiction to tobacco products by one in five Americans is a major contributor to life-threatening diseases like cancer. Quitting smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes … Read more
October 17 is National Pasta Day in the United States, where the average consumer munches through nearly 9 pounds of pasta per year. With a variety of pasta shapes and lots of choices for sauces, pasta is considered a culinary staple as well as nutritious and delicious. While a popular myth has the explorer Marco … Read more
“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” —Henry Brooks Adams The first week in May is Teacher Appreciation Week, while May 6 is Teacher Appreciation Day. Across the US a, students and former students, as well as school administrators and community leaders, express their gratitude to the nation’s teachers, who … Read more
The 3rd Sunday in November is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. This day, created by the UN and observed globally, is dedicated to all victims of traffic accidents who have been killed or injured. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.” —On a … Read more
Mustache + November = Movember To raise awareness of men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, during the month of Movember, men grow mustaches for charity and participate in fund raising events in the United States, Canada, Australia, UK, New Zealand, South Africa and elsewhere. Participants are known as “Mo Bros.” In popular culture, mustaches … Read more
October 27 is National Cranky Co-Workers Day. No matter where you work or in what profession, it seems like you can’t avoid that one obnoxious person in your office who always seems to have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. Whether they’re rude, love to complain, grouchy, or just make you want … Read more
October 11 is National Coming Out Day in the United States and in countries around the world. For many members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community, “coming out” or telling friends and family is similar to a rite of passage, a claiming of one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. National Coming Out Day … Read more
Ever since the concept of wheels on footwear appeared in the early eighteenth century, roller skating has become part of world culture. Here are five interesting tidbits from the interesting and occasionally wacky history of roller skates. The German ballet, The Artist, or Winter Pleasures in 1818 had an ice skating scene which was mimicked … Read more
The fourth Friday of September is designated unofficial National Love Note Day, when husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, and couples of every age are encouraged to send love notes, cards, and letters of affection to one another. In the digital age, when e-mail, social media interaction, and text messaging have become some of our primary means … Read more