September 19: Talk Like A Pirate Day

September 19 is Talk Like A Pirate Day.

March 11, 2011 - Johnny Appleseed Day

Did you know that today was Johnny Appleseed Day?

You see, some people celebrate it (if they celebrate it at all) on his birthday.

Johnny Appleseed was born September 26, 1774.

But the March 11th date is a preference to many because of it's proximity to the planting season.

Any ideas on how you would celebrate Johnny Appleseed? How about a Blog Post?

Here are some ideas to blog:

• What's your first memory of learning about Johnny Appleseed?
• What about Johnny Appleseed makes him an American hero in your eyes, his creation of the modern apple, his generous spirit, his missional attitude?
• Do you think Johnny Appleseed is under or over rated (aka do you think the "holiday" should be acknowledged, or does the sheer idea make you laugh)?

February 14, 2011 - Other Than Valentine's Day...

Want to talk about something other than Valentine's Day? Here are some other "observances" associated with February 14...

• Statehood Day in Arizona and Oregon.
• Communist Martyr's Day (observed by the Iraqi Communist Party)
• Actor Freddie Highmore's birthday (he turns 19, born 1992)
• Oscar nominated actress Meg Tilly's birthday (she turns 51, born 1960)
• Magician Teller (of Penn & Teller) celebrates his birthday (he turns 63, born 1948)
• New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg celebrate his birthday (he turns 69, born 1942)

February 2, 2011: Groundhogs Day

Feel like you should be blogging about Groundhogs Day Today? This holiday celebrated in the United States & Canada is a goofy holiday around predicting the weather based on a groundhogs reaction to his shadow.

Think it's crazy? Here's some ideas to blog.

• Do a little research into the origin of the holiday.
  
• When it comes to groundhogs day we usually think about Punxsatawney Phil in Pennsylvania, but did you know there's also Stormy Marmot, Chuckles, Queen Charlotte, Dunkirk Dave, Spanish Joe, and Sir Walter Wally. If you had a groundhog in your front yard, what would his name be and what would his weather prediction be?
  
• What weather are you hoping for at this point in the year - are you hoping for an early spring or are you crossing your fingers for a few more extra weeks of winter?
  
• In the 1993 Bill Murray film Groundhogs Day Bill Murray is forced to relive one day of his life over and over again until he gets it right. Is there a day of your life you wish you could relive again in order to get it right?

December 14: Monkey Day

December 14 is Monkey Day (the official website is here).

The official observation is as unorganized as you can imagine for a day with such a title, with a purpose that spans from general appreciation of monkeys, evolution, to advocacy and protection.

That being said, I suppose that gives you the freedom to celebrate Monkey day how ever you see fit, here's some ideas:

• Monkey Day origins: Started in 2000 by comic book artist (Fetus-X), Casey Sorrow
  
• Peter Jackson's King Kong legitimized the day in some ways with it's release in 2005 on Monkey Day
  
• Monkey Day seems like the perfect day to write about your famous monkeys
  ◘ Gordo, the space traveling monkey
  ◘ Ramu, the imprisoned monkey in India who wildlife activist are trying to have freed
  ◘ Maggie the Monkey, the Canadian monkey known for predicting the Stanley Cup winners
  
• Or there's the fictional monkeys
  ◘ Curious George, the little guy who was brought back from Africa by the Man with the Yellow Hat
  ◘ The Winged Monkeys, those scary creates from The Wizard of Oz
  ◘ Abu, Aladdin's buddy in the Disney film
  ◘ Mojo, Homer's helper monkey on The Simpsons
  
• Monkey-related nonprofits:
  ◘ Chimps, Inc
  ◘ Primate Rescue Center

World Toilet Day: November 19, 2010

World Toilet Day (Nov 19, 2010). Yes, World Toilet Day. Here's the link to the event information and the purpose of event as sponsored by World Toilet Organization.

UNICEF reports that 1.8 million people, mostly children die of diarrhoea each year.

It's not too late to submit your video (or vote on a video) in the Support a Movement video competion (deadline Dec 2, 2010) for the $500 prize for a poop video.

Random toilet fact 1: The first public toilets were believed to be popularized The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park London where people were charged a penny to use the toilets and attendents were dressed in white.

Random toilet fact 2: The first US patent for a toilet was granted in 1857.