THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL

National Today * National Pet Day – April 11, 2024 U.S. *

OTHER NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL APRIL 11 DAYS

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National Pet Day is April 11, although if you’re a pet owner, you know there’s not a day that goes by that you don’t celebrate your animal companion! So hug your hedgehog, bond with your bunny, and cut your kitty some catnip! That critter makes you happy — and that’s not all. Over the past 10 years, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been a partner in research to determine the physical and mental benefits of having a pet. It turns out that not only can pets steal our hearts, but they also contribute to overall cardiovascular health by lowering cortisol, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels.

WHEN IS NATIONAL PET DAY 2024?

Cats, dogs, birds, and even tigers, our furry friends are celebrated on National Pet Day on April 11.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL PET DAY

Colleen Paige, animal welfare advocate and pet and family lifestyle expert, founded National Pet Day in 2006 to celebrate the joy pets can bring to us. But she also wanted to bring attention to the ongoing needs of many pets of all kinds waiting in shelters to be adopted. She encouraged people who want purebred dogs and cats to contact rescue organizations instead of going to a breeder. “Don’t shop! Adopt!” has become the holiday motto.
In 1973, the Humane Society of the United States estimated that 13 million cats and dogs enter shelters every year. Some were strays, some were surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them, some were seized in legal actions. Today, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide. And 1.6 million cats and 1.6 million dogs find their furever homes.
Colleen’s holiday got its start in the U.S., but it soon expanded internationally. Pet lovers now mark the day in the U.K., Ireland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, Guam, Scotland, and many more nations.
Celebrities have also taken up the cause. National Pet Day has been promoted by Taylor Swift, Ellen De Generes, Ricky Gervais, Cee Lo Green, Jimmy Fallon, Willy Nelson, Kevin Bacon, Seth Myers, and Carrie Underwood, among others.
And social media has helped spread the celebration and promote Colleen’s cause. When President Barack Obama was in office, he warmed political hearts on both sides of the aisle with his posted pic of Bo, one of the two Portuguese water dogs who shared the White House with him. Bo was rehomed when he couldn’t get along with an older dog owned by a family in Texas.

NATIONAL PET DAY RELATED CONTENT

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The Best Dog & Cat Cone for 2023
Getting the best dog & cat cone seems like an easy task. But not all pet cones are created equal; here are some of our top favorites.
See More

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Additional Findings

FULL RANKING OF THE MOST POPULAR PETS
#1: Dog (45%)
#2: Cat (30%)
#3: Fish (9%)
#4: Bird (e.g. parakeet, cockatiel, parrot, etc.) (5%)
#5: Hamster/gerbil/mouse (2%)
#6: Horse (2%)
#7: Snake (2%)
#8: Guinea pig (1%)
#9: Lizard (e.g. iguana, chameleon, gecko, etc.) (1%)
#10: Tarantula (1%)

NATIONAL PET DAY AROUND THE WORLD

National Pet Day Around the World[th]Country[/th][th]Holiday[/th][th]Occasion[/th][th]Date[/th]

TRADITIONS FOR NATIONAL PET DAY 2021

Furry babies are spoiled to the fullest on National Pet Day. Owners go all out to lavish their pets with the adoration and care they deserve (well, more than on any other day). Taking them out for a walk or a drive, buying their favorite treats, or getting them a new toy to play with are just some of the ways that pets are spoiled just a little extra on this day.
National Pet Day is also one of the best days for kids to convince their parents to adopt a pet, so new additions to the family, with adoptions from shelters or purchased pedigrees, are common on this day. Everyone is part of the celebration, as every other post on social media features fancy portraits or cute candids of pets.

BY THE NUMBERS

36% – the percentage by which owning a dog decreases the risk of death by heart disease.
10% – the percentage of owners allergic to their pets.
57% – of American households owned at least one pet according to Pet Ownership Statistics.
5000–7000 – the number of tigers kept as pets in the U.S.
94% – the percentage of families with an autistic child who benefited from having a pet.
44% – the percentage of people who’d rather cuddle with their pet than their partner.
200 million – the number of stray dogs in the world.
2 million – the number of animals who die in shelters every year.
9% – the percentage of healthy dogs euthanized in Canadian shelters in 2017.
90% – the percentage of pets found within a day when the owner was looking for them.
29% – the percentage of people who have to part with their pets due to residential restrictions.

NATIONAL PET DAY FAQS

What day is National Pet Day?

National Pet Day is April 11.

Is there a Pet Appreciation Day?

There are many holidays on which pets are appreciated, including National Dog Day on August 26, National Cat Day on August 8, and National Puppy Day on March 23.

Why do we also have National Dog Day and National Cat Day?

Those days are intended to honor our most popular, best-loved pets and again, to encourage adopting a dog or cat who needs a home. National Pet Day reinforces the importance of pets in our lives and reminds us that we can care for ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, rats, mice, fish, reptiles and other critters, too.

NATIONAL PET DAY ACTIVITIES

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Adopt a pet

And remember, you're not limited to dogs and cats. House rabbits are easily litter trained. Reptiles are quiet. Some birds will talk to you.

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Launch the next digital diva

Convince your cutie cat to pose, pounce, primp, pout, or play the piano. Post the video on the kitty's account. Pray for viral volume.

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Pamper your pooch

What does your furry friend like? A mallard tuggy toy? A nice belly rub? Get down on the floor and give that pup some love!

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5 FACTS ABOUT EGYPTIANS AND THEIR PETS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

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The Egyptians grieved their pets publicly

When a family cat died, the Egyptians shaved their eyebrows; they shaved the rest of their bodies for a dog.

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The Egyptians prized and protected cats

The penalty for killing a cat, even by accident, was death.

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The Egyptians were inconsistent with pet names

The Egyptians named their dogs, but did not commonly name their cats.

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The Egyptians kept many animals as pets

According to scholars, the Egyptians also had baboons, monkeys, fish, gazelles, birds, (especially falcons), lions, mongooses, and hippos as pets.

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The Egyptians sacrificed their country for cats

In 525 B.C., refusing to offend their goddess by fighting, the Egyptian army surrendered to the Persians, who had painted the image of the Egyptian cat deity, Bastet, on their shields.

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WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL PET DAY

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Most of us have a pet

In the U.S., 67% of households have a pet. We spend approximately $75 billion a year on pet care and products.

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Pets are part of the family

A 2016 Harris poll showed that 95% of pet owners say their pets are part of the family. That's an increase of seven points from 2007.

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Pets are fun

Only a pet will chase a ball for you, pounce on a laser point, or nibble carrots from your hand. Enjoy watching your hamster stuff its cheeks, your guinea pig chew up a TP tube, or your ferret frolic in its hammock. Your guinea pig will probably pee in your lap — but it's so cute!

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National Today * April Fools' Day – April 1, 2024 U.S. *

OTHER NATIONAL TODAY NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL APRIL 1 DAYS ( click )

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April Fools’ Day on April 1 is a day where many of us unleash our most creative sides, all in a hilarious – sometimes over the top – attempt at bamboozling those around us.
Why do we do this, and where did it start? Well there surprisingly isn’t a concrete conclusion by historians. We’ll explore the possibilities below, but nevertheless, every spring we all put on our pranking caps to plan out the most devious and diabolical, yet safe and playful pranks we can think of, making this 24 hours possibly the most fun, exciting, and anxiety-filled day of the year!

WHEN IS APRIL FOOLS' DAY 2024?

April Fools’ Day is celebrated every year on April 1. The day is all about being neutral and serious about everything, and… HA! APRIL FOOLS!

HISTORY OF APRIL FOOLS' DAY

Today, pranking on April Fools’ Day has transcended the confinements of the first day of April to become a year-round internet phenomenon. Thousands of videos on the most popular internet sites emerge everyday, pushing the pranking limit to sometimes dangerous territories. We do NOT condone this and below we’ll illustrate how to allow this holiday to remain true to what it was meant to be – safe, and well, hilarious!
There’s no consensus on how it all began, but a popular theory is that while nowadays, January 1 is when we start the new year, this wasn’t the case before 1592. We used a calendar called the Julian calendar – created by Julius Caesar in 45 BC – which saw every new year begin on April 1! Crazy, we know.
Pope Gregory the 8th created a new method for keeping track of days, which was the start of the calendar we all know and love – the Gregorian calendar. When he moved the date of New Year’s Eve it obviously took some time for everyone to catch on to it. Those who were a bit behind the times still celebrated on April 1, and were considered fools for doing so.
One lesser known, often argued explanation for our beloved prank day is buried in a 1392 book called “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer. One line in this publication simply references “March 32”, and the debate to its meaning was born. Without much context and being dated so far back, the interpretation remains a mystery. Some believe it to be a joke, dawning this annual tradition, while some say it’s none other than a misprint.
Whether we have Gregory the 8th or Geoffrey Chaucer to thank for April Fools’ Day, it has existed for centuries and will continue to cause a flurry of creativity and excitement in the first few weeks of spring.

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Additional Findings

FULL RANKING OF PRANKS AMERICANS PLAN TO PLAY ON APRIL FOOLS’ DAY
#1: Mind game prank (e.g. gradually moving someone’s desk until it’s far from its original spot) (17%)
#2: Scare tactics (e.g. rubber snake in a chair) (17%)
#3: Lying prank (e.g. saying you’re pregnant (17%)
#4: Prank phone call (13%)
#5: Food-related prank (e.g. toothpaste in an Oreo)
#6: Make it inaccessible prank (e.g. fridge taped up, phone in Jello) (11%)
#7: Elaborate, well-thought-out prank that I film on camera and post to YouTube (7%)
#8: Toilet-related prank (e.g. fake poop in coffee cup) (6%)

FULL RANKING OF PEOPLE AMERICANS PLAN TO PRANK ON APRIL FOOLS’ DAY
#1: Spouse/significant other (20%)
#2: Friend (20%)
#3: My kid(s) (15%)
#4: Co-worker (12%)
#5: Mom (9%)
#6: Boss (5%)
#7: Dad (5%)
#8: Neighbor (5%)
#9: Roommate (4%)
#10: Pet (3%)
#11: Teacher (2%)
#12: Enemy (2%)

FULL RANKING OF MOST POPULAR REACTIONS TO PRANKING
#1: Smile and say, “That was a good one” (45%)
#2: Prank them back (31%)
#3: Get mad but get over it (10%)
#4: No reaction (poker face) (7%)
#5: Quietly fume (5%)
#6: Terminate friendship and never talk to that person again (2%)

APRIL FOOLS' DAY AROUND THE WORLD

April Fools' Day Around the World
[th]Country[/th][th]Holiday[/th][th]Occasion[/th][th]Date[/th]

TRADITIONS OF THE DAY

April Fools’ Day traditions are all about practical jokes, playing pranks, and having fun. It can be minor like a verbal joke, or something that you have been plotting for the past few months. Either way, usually the gag ends with the yelling of “April Fools’!” to signify the end of the prank.
In modern times, prank videos have become a category of their own on video hosting platforms. So, naturally, April Fools’ Day pranks have become quite elaborate in recent years. Small businesses, large corporations, and TV networks have also started to participate in this annual tradition, advertising and promoting fictitious claims to fool their audiences. The mild-mannered trickster always has the classic switching-of-sugar-with-salt gag up their sleeve.

APRIL FOOLS' DAY FAQS

What is the most common prank on April Fools' Day?

From the combination of life experience and extensive research on this holiday, we find the most common pranks involve safe food swaps and the classic “tying someone’s shoes together” gag.

Is April Fools' Day celebrated world-wide?

Yes, it is celebrated across the globe! Although the names, goals, and rules for the day vary from country to country.

What if I don’t want to participate on April 1?

April Fools’ is a fairly harmless day that is meant to add fun and excitement. If you do not wish to partake, we recommend an inner-circle email or text to those around you in the weeks leading up. Just know that it’s a bad look to prank after asking not to be pranked!

APRIL FOOLS' DAY ACTIVITIES

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Plan ahead

Start early! Some YouTubers and internet stars have dedicated entire careers to pranking, so your inspiration can begin here. Some ideas get extreme, so be sure to choose ones that are safe but will still garner a great response!

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Practice your straight face

Play it cool! You may not be a world-class poker player, but nothing ruins a good prank more than uncontrollably chuckling as you encourage a colleague to sit down at their desk after lunch. If they still don’t suspect that whoopee cushion, they really are an April Fool!

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Give them a not-so-sweet surprise

Sour their sweets! This April Fools' staple never gets old. Swapping out some sugar for salt will have them questioning their choice for that second afternoon coffee.

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5 FACTS ABOUT APRIL FOOLS' DAY AROUND THE WORLD

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“Lie Day” for the Portuguese

In Brazil, this day is referred to as “Lie Day” or Dia da Mentira.

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France’s “Fools”

In France and some of the UK, they pin a paper fish to their prankee’s backs.

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Scotland’s “Suckers”

The Scottish prank their friends by pinning a tail on them or a “kick me” sign.

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Ancient Foolers

Some ancient European’s celebrated by trading status, age or gender roles for the day.

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Fooled by the bell

Taco Bell had residents of Philadelphia fooled when it playfully announced its acquisition and rebrand of the Liberty Bell.

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WHY WE LOVE APRIL FOOLS' DAY

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It’s an excuse to act a fool

It’s not every day you can play tricks on those around you and have a national excuse to get away with it! April Fools' Day is a chance for some – hopefully harmless – fun, and a great opportunity to show your creative side while getting a few laughs at the same time.

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It gives us something to do in that no-man’s land between winter and spring

With spring sprung just a few weeks before, the weather is warming up and all that vitamin D can jumpstart your creativity in time for prank day. Go find a patio with some friends, and – responsibly – plot your targets!

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Groups can get in on the fun

More minds are better than one! Gather up a team at the office, or choose sides at home. Your pranks will be more creative with more people working towards it. Just, remember that this leaves more people to keep the secret and not get busted!

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National Today * National Barbie Day – March 9, 2024 *

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Throw on some Aqua — March 9 is National Barbie Day! In 1959, an 11-inch tall bombshell made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York. Designed by Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel Inc., Barbie was created to allow girls to imagine what their lives could be like in the future. She’s had a slew of careers, from a registered nurse to an astronaut. And she’s done it all with a companion. Barbie was a single lady for all of 2 years. But in 1961, overwhelming demand caused Handler to release a boyfriend for her — Ken. (Verdict’s out if he’s ever going to put a ring on it.) On National Barbie Day, we celebrate all things Barbie.

WHEN IS NATIONAL BARBIE DAY 2024?

The iconic Barbie doll and her friends are celebrated on National Barbie Day on March 9.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL BARBIE DAY

Barbie is simply iconic. There is nothing that comes close to the spectrum of emotions that are conjured by the doll, and how she is perceived uniquely by every individual who has ever played or owned a Barbie doll.
Barbie was inspired by Lilli, a German doll, which had misogynistic attributes and had a more “adult” appeal. From this idea, the co-founder of Mattel toy company Ruth Handler became inspired to create a doll that was a grown woman. In 1956, while on vacation with her family, Handler first came across the Lilli doll and noticed how enamored her 15-year-old daughter Barbara was. Before the creation of Barbie, most dolls were either babies or children. Handler’s vision was to create a doll that had a grown female’s anatomy. Over the next couple of years, Handler worked to design a wholesome, American doll. Named after her daughter Barbara, Barbie debuted at the American International Toy Fair in 1959. Crowds of people instantly fell in love with the doll.
The first Barbie doll was available in one body type. More than 60 years since its introduction to the public, Barbie has been a role model and friend to children and adults throughout. Reimagined in many ways and challenging societal norms, Barbie has truly been an integral part of the change, especially for girls.
Toy company Mattel has made changes to the anatomy of the doll over the years to counter critics and their claims that Barbie is misogynistic. In 1963, Midge was created as Barbie’s best friend, followed by Teresa, Ken, and Christie, to dispel these claims and broaden Barbie’s appeal as a family-friendly doll.

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WHEN DID YOU STOP PLAYING WITH BARBIES?
Before age 5 (6%)
Between ages 5 and 10 (37%)
Between ages 10 and 12 (39%)
After age 12 (18%)

FULL RANKING OF BARBIES WE WISH EXISTED
#1: Plus-sized Barbie (22%)
#2: Tattooed Barbie (18%)
#3: G.I. Jane Barbie (14%)
#4: Little person Barbie (11%)
#5: Body builder Barbie (7%)
#6: LGBTQ Barbie or Ken (6%)
#7: Transgender Barbie (5%)
#8: Kim Kardashian Barbie (3%)

TRADITIONS

To many, Barbie herself is a tradition. Generations have grown up playing with Barbie. Barbie has been a best friend to many, and a role model to girls around the world, encouraging them to dream big and be unstoppable. Families and friends have bonded over the doll, and passed on favorites from one generation to the next.
Barbie lovers discuss their favorite dolls online, bring out their collections, share them with kids, and watch the iconic Barbie movies.

BY THE NUMBERS

1959 – the year Barbie was created.
1961 – the year Ken joined Barbie.
$3 – the price of the first Barbie doll.
219 – the color code for Barbie’s signature color, Barbie Pink.
11.5 inches – the height of Barbie.
200 – the number of careers Barbie has had over the years.
1965 – the year when Barbie traveled into space, four years before the actual moon landing.
6 – the minimum age for playing Barbie dolls.
1997 – the year when the hit song, “Barbie Girl,” by Aqua topped the charts.
100 – the number of Barbie dolls sold every minute.

NATIONAL BARBIE DAY FAQS

What is Barbie's real name?

Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.

Why is National Barbie Day celebrated?

National Barbie Day celebrates the number one doll of all time, Barbie. Her contribution to playtime and causes over time is celebrated by collectors around the world.

What day is National Barbie day?

March 9 is National Barbie Day

NATIONAL BARBIE DAY ACTIVITIES

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Play Barbie, of course

Create some memories and play Barbie with your children or relatives! We won’t judge you if you get a little distracted and start playing with Barbie yourself.

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Buy your Barbie new clothes

Take your Barbie on a shopping spree. You can view a full lineup on the Mattel website or support independent artists by shopping on Amazon. Either way, your Barbie is heading to style city.

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Blast some Aqua

You have our full permission to blast Aqua’s 1997 hit “Barbie Girl” (as if you even needed a reason). Life in plastic — it’s fantastic!

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5 FASHIONABLE FACTS ABOUT BARBIE

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She is named after the creator’s daughter.

Barbie is named after the Handler’s daughter, Barbara, and Ken is named after their son, Kenneth.

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Ken is younger

Ken is two years younger than Barbie.

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Engineering at its best

Barbie was co-designed by a missile engineer.

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Barbie’s location

Barbie is from Wisconsin, not Malibu.

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Barbie didn’t smile

Barbie started smiling 12 years after her debut.

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WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL BARBIE DAY

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Barbie helps girls dream big

Since her creation, Barbie has had more than 150 careers. She’s been an astronaut, a CEO and she’s even run for president! Barbie acts as a role model and inspires young girls to pursue these same careers.

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Barbie is family-oriented

Barbie’s fun for the whole family! Ruth Handler created Barbie as a toy for her daughter — and even named it after her. Fun fact: Ken is named after Handler’s son.

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Barbie is a trend-setter

Mattel was the first company to broadcast commercials to children, propelling the Barbie toy to success and opening a new advertising frontier. They started advertising on the Mickey Mouse Club, which greatly increased their Barbie sales. As every parent knows, kids will bug you about what they want until they get it!

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National Today * International Women's Day – March 8, 2024 *

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International Women’s Day (March

is a global day celebrating the historical, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also observed in support of taking action against gender inequality around the world. We all know the world couldn’t run without women (we mean, just listen to Beyoncé). This is the day to appreciate their efforts! Organizations large and small come together to show women just how valuable they are in today’s society. Also make sure to help women around you find resources on scholarships available for women from around the world to help them spread their wings and fly higher.

WHEN IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2024?

International Women’s Day is on March 8. The achievements of women and how far they have come in the fight for their rights within the political, cultural, and social spheres are celebrated.

HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Susan B. Anthony was a political activist and an advocate of women’s rights. After the Civil War, she fought for the 14th Amendment that was meant to grant all naturalized and native-born Americans citizenship in the hope that it would include suffrage rights. Although the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, it still didn’t secure their vote. In 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was founded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to continue the fight for women’s rights.
In the early 1900s, women were experiencing pay inequality, a lack of voting rights, and they were being overworked. In response to all of this, 15,000 women marched through New York City in 1908 to demand their rights. In 1909, the first National Women’s Day was observed in accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. This was celebrated on the last Sunday of February until 1913.
An International Women’s Conference was organized in August 1910 by Clara Zetkin, a German suffragist and leader in the Women’s Office. Zetkin proposed a special Women’s Day to be organized annually and International Women’s Day was honored the following year in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with more than one million attending the rallies. On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified and white women were granted the right to vote in the U.S.
The liberation movement took place in the 1960s and the effort led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act, allowing all women the right to vote. When the internet became more commonplace, feminism and the fight against gender inequality experienced a resurgence. Now we celebrate International Women’s Day each year as we push continuously with the hope of creating a completely equal society.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY RELATED CONTENT

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40 Gifts for 40 Year Old Women
Need the best gift for your favorite 40-year-old? We've got you covered.
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40 Gifts for Women Under $25
Let us help you select the best budget-friendly gift for your favorite lady.
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40 Retirement Gifts for Women
She’s hanging up her working shoes, one of these gifts should do.
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https://twitter.com/i/status/1237016089529368577

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY MEDIA COVERAGE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - SURVEY RESULTS

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Additional Findings

2017 — THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING AMERICAN WOMEN
#1: Unequal pay (23%)
#2: The ability to balance a career and children (22%)
#3: Sexual violence (15%)
#4: Sexual objectification (15%)
#5: Reproductive rights (11%)
#6: Underrepresentation in politics (7%)
#7: Underrepresentation in business leadership (6%)
2018 — THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING AMERICAN WOMEN
#1: Sexual violence (38%)
#2: Sexual objectification (35%)
#3: Unequal pay (34%)
#4: The ability to balance a career and children (32%)
#5: Underrepresentation in business leadership (20%)
#6: Reproductive rights (19%)
#7: Underrepresentation in politics (16%)
2018 — PROSECUTING SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT CRIMINALS
America should prosecute sexual assault and harassment criminals…
#1: More often (58%)
#2: The same amount (20%)
#3: The same amount, but reach more guilt verdicts (14%)
#4: Less often (7%)
2018 — THE BEST WAY TO STOP SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT
#1: A stricter legal system (43%)
#2: Prosecuting more criminals (43%)
#3: Better education (42%)
#4: Eliminating rape culture in media (35%)
#5: Workplace equality (29%)

TRADITIONS OF THE DAY

As women come together to celebrate the advancement of gender equality and women’s rights on International Women’s Day, they receive ample support from men who give them flowers or other gifts. This tradition extends to educational institutes and workplaces as well. Inspiring female leaders and women with success stories in different areas of life are put in the spotlight to encourage and influence other women all over the world.
In Spain and Turkey, political activities and protests take place on this day. The aim is to motivate change in policymaking. In China, women are often allowed a half-day off from work and receive special treatment in general at work and home.

BY THE NUMBERS

163.2 million – the number of females in the United States as of July 2015.

24% – the percentage of women in the U.S. Senate.
29% – the percentage of women in state legislative seats.
0% – the percentage of women as presidents of the United States.
40 billion – the number of hours spent by women in sub-Saharan Africa collecting water.
⅔ – of the world’s 796 million illiterate people are women.
1 in 3 – women around the world experience violence.
2.7 billion – the number of women who don’t have the same work opportunities as men.
82 million – the number of women worldwide who don’t have any legal protections against workplace discrimination.
650 million – the number of women who are married before the age of 18 across the world.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY FAQS

Is International Women’s Day an official holiday?

International Women’s Day is an official holiday in dozens of countries.

Is International Women’s Day always on daylight savings time?

March 8 is daylight savings time in various northern hemisphere territories, so it aligns with International Women’s Day for them.

Do women live longer than men?

Women generally live longer than men by six to eight years due to biological and behavioral advantages.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY ACTIVITIES

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Get involved

There's an International Women’s Day event in nearly every major city and you can pick and choose what attracts you most. There are concerts where you can listen to live music, art exhibitions where talented creators display their work, and networking summits where you can hear guest speakers discuss women’s rights.

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Do like they do in the rest of the world

Send a bouquet, thank you card, or some small gift to your mother, sister, or co-worker. It’s guaranteed to brighten their day, give you a boost in their eyes, and help commemorate a wonderful day.

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Learn more about a woman you admire

We all have our favorite musicians, actresses, and historical figures, but have you taken the time to truly know their story? Do some digging and learn about what their life was like. Chances are they’ve been through their fair share of trials and tribulations, and you’ll be inspired by their perseverance.

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5 FACTS ABOUT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

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Recognized by the U.N.

In 1975, the United Nations officially adopted International Women's Day.

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A day for mothers

Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, and Uzbekistan celebrate International Women’s Day and Mother's Day together.

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Theme change

Each year International Women's Day has a theme and for 2020 it was "An equal world is an enabled world."

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Wage gap

In 2015, the U.N. reported that women still earn an average of 24% less than men do worldwide. Another study reveals that women get to save less than men with a 68 cents to a dollar ratio, for retirement.

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Women are in session

In Algeria, women make up 70% of the country's lawyers and 60% of its judges.

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WHY WE LOVE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

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It’s international and inter-organizational

No one government, NGO, charity, corporation, academic institution, women’s network, or media hub is solely responsible for International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day was established and has been celebrated for a long time! As Gloria Steinem says, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” We agree! The day is all about intersectionality, whether that's the organizations that support International Women’s Day or the type of women the day celebrates.

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It’s a global holiday

International Women’s Day is an official holiday in many countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia. The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, and more with flowers and small gifts. There might be cultural differences between countries, but the appreciation of women and their accomplishments transcends all boundaries.

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It raises awareness around the world

It may seem that we have progressed very far by now. Although some progress has been made, yes, a recent study of 145 nations showed that there's still a gender gap. Iceland has come closest to equality in economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment, and that's definitely a start. But in other places like Yemen, women are only considered half a witness in court cases. They're even forbidden to leave the house without their husband’s permission. IWF was created to strive toward a standard of gender equality for all countries. Because, as we all know, raising awareness about women’s plight around the world helps elevate all women.

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National Today * National Day of Unplugging – March 1, 2024 *

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Do you have multiple cell phones? Constantly Snapchatting every move and find it hard to get through a meaningful conversation without adding to your story? We increasingly miss out on the valuable moments of our lives as we pass the hours with our faces buried in our iPhones, documenting our every move through social media and shielding ourselves from the outside world, where real connections happen. If you notice these mannerisms in yourself – or your friends & family, it may be worth committing to the Global Day of Unplugging. It is a 24 hour period – running from sundown to sundown which starts on March 1. Take this day to carve out precious time to unplug, relax, reflect, be active, visit the outdoors, and connect with loved ones.

NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING MEDIA COVERAGE

National Day of Unplugging — WMYD (Detroit, MI)

National Day of Unplugging — KFMB (San Diego, CA)

National Day of Unplugging — NEWS8 (Washington, D.C.)

National Day of Unplugging — WTKR (Norfolk, VA)

National Day of Unplugging — WXYZ (Detroit, MI)

National Day of Unplugging — WZZM (Grand Rapids, MI)

National Day of Unplugging — WDAF (Kansas City, MO)

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FULL RANKING: WHEN DO YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME CHECKING YOUR PHONE?
#1: When I wake up (32%)
#2: When I’m in bed going to sleep (26%)
#3: On work breaks (20%)
#4: In the bathroom (10%)
#5: On my morning commute (4%)
#6: While hanging out with friends (4%)
#7: While walking (4%)

IN OTHER WORDS…
For 58% of Americans, bed is the most popular time to check their phone.

WHICH DEVICE DO YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME ON?
#1: Smartphone (76%)
#2: Computer (17%)
#3: Tablet (7%)

MEN CARE SLIGHTLY MORE THAN WOMEN ABOUT THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGE
5% of women say they closely monitor how many “likes” they get on social media, compared to 7% of men who say the same.

NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING ACTIVITIES

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Put Your Phone in a Box for 24 Hours

That's right. Challenge yourself to leave your phone unattended for a full 24 hours. See how much you're able to focus on being present, and in the moment of things without constant notifications distracting you.

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Throw a Dance Party

Dancing not only increases your endorphins, which boosts your mood, but it’s also a great form of cardiovascular exercise. Salsa it out, do the twist, or bust a move. You’ll be astonished at how much more energy you have after a few groove sessions.

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Volunteer to Help Others

Volunteering is not only good for the community, it’s good for your well-being too. Selfless acts of kindness have been linked to a longer life and reduced stress in humans. Boost your happiness levels today while unplugging!

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WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING

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Powering-down removes unhealthy feelings of jealousy due to social media.

Research shows that 1 in 3 people feel worse after visiting social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, and overall more dissatisfied with their lives. To be honest, not every interaction with social media is a negative one. But typically, our own experience validates their research. Powering-down for a healthy period of time provides ample time to recalibrate oneself and refocus appreciation and gratitude for the lives we have been given, by living life presently.

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Unplugging combats the phenomenon of FOMO

FOMO – a.k.a. the fear of missing out.has been recognized as a recently emerging psychological disorder brought on by tech advances. Our social media streams are ever-populated with everything happening all around us. Within this constant stream of notifications, our fear of missing out continues to grow. Turning off social media and finding contentment in our present space is a healthy alternative.

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Life – at its best, is happening right in front of you

Every day is different from the last. These experiences rarely repeat themselves. Daily conversations are unfiltered and authentic. But if we are too busy with our noses buried in the latest Snapchat story feed, or constantly checking what’s trending on Twitter, we’re gonna miss all of it.

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National Today * National Chili Day – February 22, 2024 *

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On February 22, we celebrate National Chili Day — a moment to pay homage to the legendary dish that brings people together, and can tear them apart. Chili is the ultimate people-pleaser, but it’s also the ultimate cook-off dish. Family recipes are guarded like crown jewels, and secret ingredients are never spoken of above a whisper. And the debates about what makes true chili — beans or no beans? —are fierce! But these are all part of what makes chili such an experience. When chili is being served — perhaps with some chopped onions and shredded cheese on top — everyone comes to the table.

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FULL RANKING OF THE MOST POPULAR CHILI ACCOMPANIMENTS #1: Cheese (31%) #2: Crackers (15%) #3: Cornbread (15%) #4: Sour cream (12%) #5: Tortilla chips (9%) #6: Diced onions (5%) #7: Hot sauce (4%) #8: Avocado (3%) #9: Salsa (3%) #10: Black olives (1%) #11: Cilantro (1%) FULL RANKING OF THE MOST POPULAR WAYS TO EAT CHILI #1: In a bowl (52%) #2: On a hot dog (12%) #3: In a Frito chili pie (9%) #4: On top of fries (8%) #5: Over rice (6%) #6: On a baked potato (4%) #7: On garlic bread (3%) #8: Over spaghetti (2%) #9: With mac & cheese (2%) #10: On a sloppy joe (2%)

NATIONAL CHILI DAY ACTIVITIES

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Cook up your favorite chili

Maybe your go-to recipe is in your head, or maybe it’s earmarked in your favorite cookbook. Maybe you need to call your mom and have her give your step-by-step instructions. However the chili gets on the stove, get it there, and then enjoy a piping hot bowl of the good stuff.

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Host a chili cook-off

Everyone, and we mean everyone, has a chili recipe. So invite everyone over and have a chili throw down. Competition will be fierce, but so will your appetites.

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Go on chili tour

We mean it when we say that everyone has a chili recipe — that includes the chefs at your favorite restaurants. Find out which spots in your town have chili on the menu, and do your own version of a progressive dinner to find your favorite. Then next year on National Chili Day, you’ll know where to head.

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WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL CHILI DAY

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It's hearty

Some soups are barely an appetizer, but chili is a meal unto itself. A big bowl of steaming chili can warm you up and satisfy you like few other foods can. It sticks to your bones and keeps you full.

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Everyone has an opinion

Secret chili recipes are the stuff of legend — and of deliciousness. The variety in the dish is mind-boggling, and means you’ll never get sick of showing up at a friend’s house and hearing that chili being served. And chili has sprung one of the fiercest food debates there is: do beans belong in chili?

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It brings people together

Chili is the ultimate comfort food. You start feeling good the minute you open the door, its spicy aroma wafting through the air. Hold a steaming bowl of the stuff in your hands and you’re on your way to perfect culinary experience. No one misses chili night. It’s informal, cozy, and a time for people to be together.

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National Today National Love Your Pet Day – February 20, 2024

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On February 20, we celebrate National Love Your Pet Day, a day to embrace one special trait that makes us human: our love of our pets! There are many things that differentiate humans from the rest of the animal kingdom, but one of the more unusual behaviors is our longstanding tendency to keep other animals as pets. According to Wisevoter’s Pet Ownership Statistics, in 2019 about 57% of American households owned at least one pet. It only makes sense to commemorate something that’s so important to so many people, so on February 20, we celebrate our pets with National Love Your Pet Day!

WHEN IS NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY 2024?

National Love Your Pet Day is celebrated on February 20. Whether cats, dogs, birds, or even tigers, our furry friends are showered with love and affection on this day!

HISTORY OF NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY

Pets have been a part of human life for thousands of years. Ever since we’ve made our first steps into civilization, animals have been right there alongside us. And look at those faces! Who could blame us?
Nobody really knows exactly what animal the very first pet was. But, one animal, the wolf, lived alongside early humans for centuries. Even as far back as 12,000 years ago, dogs and cats were buried in their human counterparts’ graves. It seems that even early humans had a deep attachment to their furry friends.
Meanwhile, European royalty began keeping toy dog breeds in the 1600s. And in modern day Spain, pet bird markets were popular among all classes in southern cities such as Seville well into the 1960s.
Most recently, groups such as the American Kennel Club have only increased our love for our pets. With events such as the annual Westminster Dog Show, humankind has only grown its affection for our non-human friends. Pets are ingrained into our own species, and National Love Your Pet Day gives us a reason to celebrate them!

NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY - SURVEY RESULTS

Data insights generated by a top Pet Marketing Agency:
FULL RANKING OF THE MOST POPULAR PETS IN AMERICA
#1: Dog (40%)
#2: Cat (25%)
#3: Fish (8%)
#4: Bird (e.g. parakeet, cockatiel, parrot, etc.) (4%)
#5: Hamster/gerbil/mouse (2%)
#6: Snake (2%)
#7: Horse (2%)
#8: Guinea pig (1%)
#9: Lizard (e.g. iguana, chameleon, gecko, etc.) (1%)
#10: Tarantula (1%)
HOW DO YOU SHOW AFFECTION TO YOUR PET?
#1: I play with my pet (15%)
#2: I give my pet treats and gifts (13%)
#3: I cuddle with my pet (12%)
#4: I tell my pet, “I love you” (10%)
#5: I hang out with my pet (e.g. watch TV, read books, etc.) (10%)
#6: I let my pet sleep in my bed with me (9%)
#7: I carry on conversations with my pet (9%)
#8: I kiss my pet (9%)
#9: I go places with my pet (e.g. the beach, on road trips, etc.) (5%)
#10: I dress my pet up in costume (2%)
WHICH PET-RELATED CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU FIND ATTRACTIVE IN YOUR DREAM GIRL OR GUY?
#1: Someone who treats their pet like a family member (22%)
#2: Someone who expresses outward affection to animals (19%)
#3: Someone who is a pet parent (12%)
#4: Someone who greets other people’s pets at the park (9%)
#5: Someone who lets their pet sleep in their bed with them (9%)
#6: Someone who purchases gifts for their pet (7%)
#7: Someone who talks to their pet in a special voice (6%)
#8: Someone who modifies their schedule to spend time with their pet (5%)
CATS ARE MORE POPULAR AMONG WOMEN THAN MEN
26% of women have a pet cat, compared to 22% of men.

NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY AROUND THE WORLD

National Love Your Pet Day Around the World

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NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY FAQS

Is National Love Your Pet Day a nationally recognized holiday?

The banks probably won’t close, but that doesn’t stop you from giving your animals some extra ear scratches, squeaky toys, or special treats.

Who can celebrate National Love Your Pet Day?

The beauty of the holiday is that anybody can celebrate, regardless of whether their animal has fur, scales, or wings. Even if you don’t have a pet of your own, anybody can donate extra tennis balls to the dog park or give their friend’s cat an extra long ear rub.

What are the benefits to celebrating National Love Your Pet Day?

There’s no doubt that it will grow and improve the relationship between you and your furry friend. Spending time with them in any capacity can create a lifelong bond.

NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY ACTIVITIES

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Show your pet something new

Just like us, our pets love seeing new places! Has your dog ever been to the beach? If not, consider taking a road trip to celebrate National Love Your Pet Day. Change up the location of your fish’s bowl, take your guinea pig on a tour of the house, or take your chameleon on a field trip to the porch to feel the breeze on his face.

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Spoil them

Let’s face it: spoiling our pets is a lot of fun. So do it! Birthdays might only come once a year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have more special days with your pets. Celebrate National Love Your Pet Day by bringing home a new treat or toy, whipping up a beloved meal, or simply spend some extra quality time with your pet (we suggest pet-themed movies as an especially nice activity).

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Adopt a pet

The ultimate way to celebrate Love Your Pet Day is to get a pet of your own to love! If it’s within your means, consider adopting a pet in need of a home. Explore local organizations that rescue and re-home animals in your area. It’ll change your life in ways you never expected.

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5 ANIMAL FACTS TO MAKE YOUR DAY LESS RUFF

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Dogs have over 100 million facial expressions!

With ears and eyebrows like that, it’s no wonder they’re so easy to love.

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You can change a life by adopting.

If you’re looking to celebrate but don’t have a pet of your own, check in with the ASPCA — where 2.7 million animals are adopted every year.

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A Pack of Cats is different than a pack of kittens

A pack of kittens is called a kindle, while a pack of adult cats is called a chowder.

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Plan a furry friend party!

Since more than 80 million US households have dogs, with 42% of those households having more than one, you’ll have no trouble making a guest list.

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Parrots need love, too.

As the 4th most popular pet and with vocal cords louder than an ambulance, they’ll let you know if they’re not getting attention come February 20.

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WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY

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They're great listeners

It’s not often that we can find a companion willing to sit through all of our complaints, but our pets never get sick of hearing our grievances. They are also delighted to listen to our favorite anecdotes (like say, that time we adopted our cat) and will never roll their eyes when we repeat a favorite story.

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They make you feel good

That warm feeling you get after rolling around with your dog or that sense of peace you feel when you have a cat in your lap? It’s not just a feeling, it’s science. Spending time with animals is a great way to get a boost in feel-good hormones and has even been shown to improve blood pressure.

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They're adorable

Just like children, everyone thinks that they’ve got the most adorable pet. It’s easy to see why, though — they’re all pretty darn cute! Lizards, hermit crabs, gerbils, cats, dogs, birds — we all need someone to love, and when that someone is a living thing that needs our care, looks don’t matter, just that they love us back.

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National Today * National Pizza Day – February 9, 2024 *

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Join us on February 9 as we celebrate National Pizza Day! It’s hard to imagine that before World War II, pizza was little known outside of Italy or Italian immigrant communities. This cheesy disc went from a niche cultural meal to the star of the show anywhere it turns up! Let’s hear it for pizza!

HISTORY OF NATIONAL PIZZA DAY

Though flatbreads with toppings were consumed by ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks, the modern birthplace of the pizza is southwestern Italy’s Campania region, home to Naples. Founded around 600 BC as a Greek settlement, Naples in the 1700s and early 1800s was a thriving waterfront city. Technically an independent kingdom, it was notorious for its throngs of working poor, or lazzaroni. These Neapolitans required inexpensive food that could be consumed quickly. Pizza — flatbreads with toppings that can be eaten for every meal — fulfilled this need. These early pizzas featured tasty toppings such as tomatoes, cheese, oil, anchovies, and garlic. More well off Italian authors judged Naples’ innovation, often calling their eating habits disgusting.
In 1861, Italy finally unified, and King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889. Legend says that the traveling pair became bored with their steady diet of French cuisine and asked for an assortment of pizzas from the city’s Pizzeria Brandi, founded in 1760. The variety the queen enjoyed the most was called pizza mozzarella, a pie topped with the soft white cheese, red tomatoes, and green basil — much resembling the Italian flag. Since then, this particular choice of toppings has been dubbed the Margherita pizza.
However, even with the Queen’s love for the dish, pizza would remain little known in Italy beyond Naples’ borders until the 1940s. Across the sea, immigrants to the United States from Naples were replicating their flatbreads in New York and other American cities. They were coming for factory jobs, but accidentally made a culinary statement. Relatively quickly, the flavors and aromas of pizza began to intrigue non-Neapolitans and non-Italians alike.

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Additional Survey Findings

SOME AMERICANS TAKE THEIR PIZZA LOVE TO NEW EXTREMES
According to the survey, 3% of Americans would rather eat pizza than have a boyfriend or girlfriend. The response among females was slightly higher—4% would rather eat pizza than have a boyfriend, compared to 3% of males who say the same.
FULL RANKING OF AMERICA’S FAVORITE PIZZA BRANDS
#1: Pizza Hut (31%)
#2: Papa John’s (22%)
#3: Domino’s (17%)
#4: Papa Murphy’s (10%)
#5: Little Caesar’s (8%)
#6: Sbarro (3%)
#7: Cici’s Pizza (2.8%)
#8: California Pizza Kitchen (2.8%)
#9: Round Table (2.6%)
#10: Chuck E. Cheese’s (1%)
OTHER INTERESTING INSIGHTS ABOUT PIZZA
#1: Pizza ranks the #2 most popular fast food in America behind hamburgers. (43% of Americans rank pizza as their favorite.)
#2: Pizza is my favorite food. (18%)
#3: I like to have a glass of wine with my pizza. (10%)
#4: My idea of a perfect Valentine’s Day is sharing a pizza. (9%)
#5: I don’t like pizza. (2%)

NATIONAL PIZZA DAY AROUND THE WORLD

Here are some other food-related holidays celebrated throughout the world.
National Pizza Day Around the World

[th]Country[/th][th]Holiday[/th][th]Occasion[/th][th]Date[/th]

NATIONAL PIZZA DAY TRADITIONS

A lot of us don’t go many days without having pizza. So on National Pizza Day, head over to your favorite pizzeria and enjoy a feast. You can get creative and host a pizza party at work or for friends, or simply buy a frozen pizza. Food marketers also love National Pizza Day which means there are a lot of great deals going around, so make sure to keep your eye out.

NATIONAL PIZZA DAY STATS

350 slices
That’s how many slices of pizza are sold in the U.S. every second. Roughly 120 of those slices per second are delivered to the National Today offices.
17% are pizzerias
17% of all restaurants in the U.S. are pizzerias and more than 10% of those are located in New York City.
251.7 million pounds
This is how many pounds of pepperoni are consumed in the U.S. every year. Most of which ends up on a pizza.

NATIONAL PIZZA DAY FAQS

Is there a National Pizza Day?

There is indeed! Celebrate your favorite greasy food on National Pizza Day every February 9!

What day is National Pepperoni Pizza Day?

National Pepperoni Pizza Day, the most popular variety of pizza topping, comes around annually on September 20.

What day is National Pizza Day 2020?

In 2020, National Pizza Day was celebrated on Sunday, February 9.

NATIONAL PIZZA DAY ACTIVITIES

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Pizza Paar-tay!

I mean, why mess with a good thing? No matter what age you are, the words “pizza party” are guaranteed to delight and put a smile on everyone’s face.

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Dare to Pizza All the Time

Pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Yes—that is the kind of perfect world we live in today. Crack an egg on it in the morning. Toss that salad on top for lunch. And why not go for the meat-lovers’ dinner?

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Rediscover Pizza For the First Time

Chances are, you know your perfect slice down to the finest details. (Mine includes corn, pasilla chiles and feta cheese). But why not break out of the routine on National Pizza Day? We know you’ve been curious about that artichoke pesto pie at the place around the corner.

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National Today * National Spouse Day – January 26, 2024 *

National Spouse Day
A chance to celebrate your spouse and show your better half how much you love them.

National Spouse Day is finally here! Other than Valentine’s Day, this is the only worldwide holiday that gives couples a chance to spoil each other, to take time out of their busy schedules, and to tend to their love. It’s a chance to celebrate your spouse and show your better half that they are indeed appreciated. Let’s admit, sometimes married couples need reminders to leave the hamster wheel that is everyday life. January 26 however is the remedy to all couples’ woes. Though the day is named National Spouses Day and seemingly refers to married couples only, nowadays, this day can also be linked to many people who are not married. What’s better than feeling appreciated by your soulmate? So, let’s celebrate happiness on this love filled day.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL SPOUSE DAY

The origin of National Spouse Day is unknown, but it is assumed that a married person came up with the idea. Some say it originated from the establishment of Military Spouses Day which was created in 1984, but only started becoming popular around the millennium. The day is celebrated as a national holiday on January 26 officially in the USA and UK, but many other countries celebrate it too.
The foundation of this day derives from the idea of showing thanks to your partner. Some workplaces even encourage couples to go on leave to celebrate the day and spend some quality time with their spouses.
Unlike Valentine’s day, this is a day created for giving time rather than gifts and celebrating your spouse. Due to this, couples are encouraged to spend alone time and to reflect on their journey so far. Scientific research has shown that twenty minutes of holding hands with your partner or cuddling even, can release hormones that leaves you both happier and feeling good. In turn, this relieves stress and makes you feel closer to one another.
National Spouse Day has become well known for igniting many media sources to survey couples’ behaviors and relationships and has managed to find out many interesting facts. This includes the fact that two million people get married every year in the U.S alone. Also, that 17% of them have previously been married.
Many couples have expressed feeling as though life can get too busy, and so a day like National Spouse Day is key to revitalizing relationships at the start of the new year. Others feel that your spouse should be celebrated everyday, but that an official day to commemorate your husband or wife is also seen as an honor.

NATIONAL SPOUSE DAY - SURVEY RESULTS

Data was gathered by a top Millennial Marketing Agency as they surveyed 1,035 married Americans about their spouses. Here are the full results:
TOP 10 THINGS THAT ANNOY US ABOUT OUR SPOUSES
#1: My spouse has selective listening (40%)
#2: My spouse snores (39%)
#3: My spouse can be a control freak sometimes (26%)
#4: My spouse is not as financially responsible as I am (20%)
#5: My spouse has bodily quirks (e.g. nose picking, farting, burping, etc.) (19%)
#6: My spouse doesn’t contribute enough to household chores (18%)
#7: My spouse is a slob (e.g. doesn’t wash dishes, leaves dirty clothes on floor, etc.) (17%)
#8: My spouse works too much (16%)
#9: My spouse doesn’t get along with his/her in-laws (8%)
#10: My spouse always forgets our anniversary (5%)
TOP 10 REASONS AMERICANS APPRECIATE THEIR SPOUSES
#1: My spouse is a hard worker (60%)
#2: I can be myself around my spouse (56%)
#3: My spouse makes me laugh (56%)
#4: My spouse is smart (52%)
#5: My spouse is supportive of my goals and desires (48%)
#6: My spouse is a great parent (45%)
#7: My spouse is sexy (44%)
#8: My spouse is good with money (31%)
#9: My spouse does the dishes (29%)
#10: My spouse buys me things (28%)
TOP 10 MOST SURPRISING SPOUSE INSIGHTS
#1: My spouse and I celebrate Valentine’s Day (45%)
#2: My spouse gets on my nerves sometimes (44%)
#3: My spouse and I evenly split the household chores (32%)
#4: Valentine’s Day was a way bigger deal before I got married (19%)
#5: My spouse is a slob (e.g. doesn’t wash dishes, leaves dirty clothes on floor, etc.) (17%)
#6: My spouse and I argue on a regular basis (16%)
#7: I wear the pants in the relationship with my spouse (13%)
#8: I love my spouse, but sometimes I wish I were single so I could experience dating again (10%)
#9: Between the two of us, I’m better-looking than my spouse (9%)
#10: In my marriage, I’m always the one who walks the dog (9%)
HUSBANDS THINK THEY’RE MORE HELPFUL THAN THEY ACTUALLY ARE
While 44% of husbands say they evenly split the household chores with their wives, only 26% of wives say the same.

NATIONAL SPOUSE DAY FAQS

What other fun things can you do on National Spouse Day?

You can share loving quotes with your spouse by text, you can make heart shaped treats through recipes online, or try playing the Newlywed game which tests your knowledge on your spouse.

How do we share what we are up to on Nations Spouse Day social media?

You can take photos and share on Instagram or twitter with the hashtag #NationalSpouseday.

What day will National Spouse Day fall on in 2020?

This year, National Spouse Day on January 26 will land on a Sunday.

NATIONAL SPOUSE DAY ACTIVITIES

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Visit the place you first met

Revisit the location of the first place you met. It’s something about the nostalgia that can help recreate how you used to feel. There’s nothing wrong with reminding each other of your history together, and where it all began.

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Cook for your spouse

Food has a way of making anyone happy. Surprise your partner by cooking a classy meal and eat at the table if you’re a couple who doesn’t usually. Use cookbooks or YouTube to find recipes, or simply think of your spouse’s favorite meal and do your best to make it.

[*]

Look back on your wedding day

This game is all the more fun if you're not a newlywed. You may live together, but how well do you and your spouse actually know each other? If you don't have the board game, find some Newlywed Game questions online.

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5 FACTS ABOUT SPOUSES THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

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Eat, drink and be married

Research shows that year three of marriage is usually the happiest for the majority of couples.

[*]

Marriage has a nice ring to it

300 couples get married in Las Vegas every day.

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Bride and gone to heaven

In France, it's actually legal to marry a dead person.

[*]

Divorce of habit

100 couples are said to be getting a divorce in the U.S every hour.

[*]

A love date relationship

There is a phobia known as ‘Gamophobia’ which is a fear of commitment.

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WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL SPOUSE DAY

[list="holiday-list holiday-list-loveit"][*]

It’s a reminder of your love

The reason behind this day should allow for special quality time that many couples crave. It can ignite memories of your first date, your wedding, your first vacation, and even possibly the birth of your child. All of this reminds you of why you chose your partner in the first place and why you are so compatible.

[*]

It’s inclusive

This day is inclusive to boyfriends, girlfriends, fiancés, and newlyweds. It does not discriminate and is not just for married couples. National Spouse Day is devoted to all types of couples. Therefore, you get to celebrate your best friend or your soon to be legal partner and you can spend quality time honoring each other.

[*]

It slows down our busy lives

In this day and age, we sometimes don’t have time to stop and show appreciation for our partner or to slow down. This day works across the board for people in differing situations. Those away from their partners, those working a lot, mothers on maternity leave maybe. This day is for them, to get the chance to be appreciated.

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National Today Tuesday September 12 * National Video Games Day *

National Video Games Day
No reason to feel bad about not even seeing the light of day today

No reason to feel bad about not even seeing the light of day on September 12, because it’s National Video Games Day! Video games originated around 1940, but today, the video game industry is an 18 billion dollar industry that constantly churns out new fun favorites for all ages. The term “video game” encompasses all kinds of digital games, from old-school Mario games to hot new VR ones like “Beat Saber.” The huge array of video games means there will be something for everyone to play today — whether it’s an old arcade game or Fortnite. If a day alone doesn’t appeal to you, round up some friends for a multiplayer game! Follow these Top Video Game Journalists if you want to learn more about video games.

When is National Video Games Day 2023?

The digital realm of video games is celebrated on National Video Games Day on September 12.

History of National Video Games Day

These days, everyone can find a video game that gets them hooked. Not only does it depend on the gameplay style you like — strategy or combat? — you might have a particular penchant for games from a specific age. Some love old-timey arcade games, while others are excited by cutting-edge VR.

Surprisingly, the origin story of your favorite video game app in your pocket is actually in research labs. The earliest video games began in the 1950s in universities like the University of Cambridge and MIT. Some games that came out of these were virtual tic tac toe, and “Spacewar!”

When the first home console, designed in 1967 by the “Father of Video Games” Ralph Baer, hit the market, it inspired the classic Atari game “Pong.” Though there was a copyright infringement lawsuit, Atari still took off with the public when they released the Atari 2600. Some of the best games of the ensuing era include “Space Invaders” and “Donkey Kong” — sound familiar?

After the video game market crash in 1983, Japanese company Nintendo burst onto the scene. Nintendo is responsible for some of the most important franchises around — Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. Nintendo found a challenger in Sega, driving the market into the 3D Gaming world.

The modern era of gaming was truly kicked off in the early 21st century with the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and the Wii. Video games then invaded media platforms and video game apps flooded the app stores. Lucrative competitions for skilled gamers have begun to spring up worldwide. These days, big video game console companies like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, have their sights set on VR — the exciting future of video gaming gets more and more lifelike every day!

National Video Games Day related content
National Video Games Day - Survey Results

NATIONALTODAY NATIONAL VIDEO GAMES DAY SURVEY

Survey according to one of the top Market Research Agencies (Survey of 1,000 Americans)

What’s the best gaming console?

#1: Playstation (38%)
#2: Xbox (38%)
#3: Nintendo (21%)

What’s the best video game franchise?

#1: Super Mario (47%)
#2: Call of Duty (21%)
#3: Donkey Kong (19%)
#4: Grand Theft Auto (19%)
#5: Pokemon (16%)
#6: Zelda (13%)
#7: Sonic the Hedgehog (13%)
#8: Final Fantasy (9%)
#9: Halo (9%)
#10: Crash Bandicoot (7%)

How often do you play video games?
#1: Everyday (31%)
#2: Rarely (31%)
#3: 2-3x a week (23%)

When do mobile gamers like to play games on their phones?

#1: Whenever I’m bored (66%)
#2: When I’m watching TV (41%)
#3: Before I go to sleep (39%)
#4: When I’m on the toilet (34%)
#5: During my breaks at work (21%)
#6: Whenever I’m eating (20%)
#7: Before I leave for work (12%)
#8: On my commute to work (8%)

Traditions of the Day

Video games have come a long way. The virtual worlds emulated by games are no longer just for enjoyment and passing time, it is an entire experience. With storylines and character development sometimes surpassing that of Hollywood movies, National Video Games Day celebrations are exuberant.

The go-to tradition for the day is to immerse oneself in video games, whether by yourself or with friends. Multiplayer gaming has formed friendships that are cherished and stronger than some real-life relations, so digital celebrations are at their peak with streaming gameplays on websites like YouTube and Twitch, commentaries, and video games played online with team-mates living around the world.

Going old-school and playing classic games at an arcade is also a tradition. The charm and nostalgia of old games are growing and they increase our appreciation for new video games with better graphics and gameplay.

Video game releases and announcements are also made by some companies today. Special discounts and bundles, and free downloads of video games are available on platforms like Steam. Items and character upgrades inside video game shops are offered at reduced prices, too.

By The Numbers

360,000 – the number of arcade cabinets of the game “Space Invaders” sold by 1980.

$80,000 – the amount spent by a Japanese man on playing “Space Invaders”.

40,000,000 – the number of copies sold of “Super Mario Bros” by the game’s 25th anniversary.

3 – the number of discs that held the “Final Fantasy VII” game on PlayStation.

56 – the number of vehicles drivable in “Grand Theft Auto: III”.

3 – the number of days it took “Grand Theft Auto: V” to reach $1 billion in sales.

13 – the number of novels written on the “Halo” universe.

12,000,000 – the number of subscribers to “World Of Warcraft” in 2012.

7 – the number of players originally limited to a football team in “Madden Football” due to hardware restrictions.

92 – the number of production babies who joined the Bungie family in the game “Destiny” since 2010.

National Video Games Day Activities

Round up friends for IRL gaming

Multiplayer gaming is best done together IRL! It’s a great means of getting together with people who have the same console to connect in real life and digitally.

Hit an arcade to relive the classics

Who didn’t love growing up on PacMan? Spend some time at an old-school arcade remembering what it was like to be a kid with a quarter and a competitive spirit.

Treat yourself to a newly released game

If there’s ever a day to splurge on the newest craze in gaming, it’s today. All your friends have been talking about the new release and you’re desperate to give it a try? Go for it, then spend the rest of the day playing it with them!

5 Facts About Video Games That Will Blow Your Mind

Public libraries are in on the trend

In an attempt to get children and teens more interested in books, libraries have started adding video games to their shelves.

Gaming beefs up your brain

In one study, adults who played Super Mario 64 for 2 hours a day developed increased brain volume over time!

RPG Dreaming

According to one study, those who play video games are more likely to have lucid dreams — where they can control what’s happening.

Gaming as a national economic stimulus

After Nokia’s downfall, Finland’s economy was greatly assisted by Clash of Clans.

Gaming payout

In 2019, a boy from the US won the largest single-person eSports payout - $3,000,000!

Why We Love National Video Games Day

They can actually be good for you (Sorry, Mom!)

Though not all games offer the same educational value, many that include problem-solving and teamwork have been shown to increase the gray matter in your brain and ultimately grow it! It can also help refine learned and hardwired skills, as well as improve problem-solving and communication with others.

They inspire and push tech boundaries

The first video games were considered modern marvels, and we can’t say it’s changed much since. Who hasn’t seen some great graphics on a game, or been absolutely blown away the first time you slid on that VR headset? Many games push what’s possible for technology, and inspire generations.

They increase happiness

That rush you get when you conquer a level? Unmatched! Recent studies have shown that adults who play video games are less stressed and more relaxed than those who do not. It could be because video games offer a chance to remove yourself from everyday life stresses, or they might just be happier being more connected to their inner child!

National Today Friday August 4 International Beer Day

International Beer Day
Raise a glass to one of the oldest man-made beverages.

Beer is one of the oldest drinks the world has ever known. International Beer Day gives fans worldwide just one more excuse to have a round on the first Friday in August. Beer has a reputation as the drink of choice for the ordinary working man or woman. When it’s served up cold and frothy or strong and We celebrate International Beer Day on the first Friday in August every year – August 4, when summer’s end begins to loom large. The start of another weekend beckons us to put aside our work, set aside differences, and come together to celebrate our shared love of beer.

Beer somehow manages to do what politicians have tried to do for centuries – unite people in a common cause for good. Our insatiable thirst for beer gives us reason to pause; to stop what we’re doing, sit down and converse with one another over a pint or two. The conversation may be pleasant or not, calm or animated, but somehow beer makes it possible to agree to disagree and still walk away friends. Plenty of us have no doubt solved many of the world’s problems over a few pints of beer.

When is International Beer Day 2023?

International Beer Day is on August 4 and we’re ready to raise our glasses and drink to it!

History of International Beer Day

Celebrating mankind’s common thirst for what is likely the world’s oldest and most beloved beverage is what International Beer Day is all about. Humans have been fascinated with beer since the first grains were accidentally discovered to have fermented, producing a bubbly aromatic product that someone dared to taste then drink, did not die but instead felt a lovely little buzz, smiled and said, “Wow.” Mankind has been obsessed ever since with perfecting beer recipes and brewing processes in pursuit of the next “Wow.”

Beer has been consumed by almost every culture throughout human history. The oldest evidence of man’s obsession with brewing beer dates back to ancient Babylonia and Mesopotamia. Archaeologists have unearthed recipes for beer that were written on clay tablets in 4300 B.C., and ceramic vessels from 3400 B.C. that are still sticky with beer residue. Everyone drank beer in ancient Egypt: pharaohs, peasants, priests, even children, as part of their everyday diet.

What may be the first song about beer, “Hymn to Ninkasi”—an ode to the Sumerian goddess of beer—dates back to 1800 B.C. and includes a recipe for a beer brewed by female priestesses.

By the Middle Ages, Christian monks were brewing beers, and introduced the use of hops. Until then, beers were brewed with local additives like dates and olive oils to add flavor. Today’s beers continue to be brewed with hops, herbs, or fruits that add flavor. Macro, micro, or craft, the art of brewing beer today remains a craft that employs age-old techniques carefully perfected over centuries and millennium.

Our collective love of beer is what Jesse Avshalomov no doubt had on his mind back in August of 2007 while he and a few friends enjoyed some conversation and brews in the beach community of Santa Cruz, California. Back then his reasons for founding International Beer Day were:

Gather with friends and enjoy the taste of beer
Celebrate those responsible for brewing and serving beer
Unite the world under the banner of beer, by celebrating the beers of all nations together on a single day

In retrospect, Jesse’s LinkedIn profile reads he “…invented International Beer Day as an experiment in virality gone horribly right.”

To you, Jesse. Cheers!

International Beer Day - Survey Results

Data gathered by a top Minneapolis Marketing Agency

International Beer Day Around the World

International Beer Day is one of many beverage holidays celebrated throughout the world. Here are some other popular ones from across the globe.
International Beer Day Around the World
Country Holiday Occasion Date
Germany Germans enthusiastically celebrate and drink beer. Germans enthusiastically celebrate and drink beer. April 23
Iceland Beer Day Iceland celebrates drinking beer after it has been banned for a decade. May 1
Italy Espresso Italiano Day A day dedicated to celebrating coffee. Third Friday in April
Ireland St. Patrick’s Day The luck of the Irish and, of course, Irish Whiskey is celebrated. March 17
India National Milk Day As an agricultural country, India celebrates the many wonderful joys of milk. November 26
International Beer Day Traditions

Happy hours, chugging competitions, and enjoying someone’s company over a glass of beer; go “Bottoms up!” on International Beer Day. Most people unite and have a good time over servings of beer. Friends are convinced to buy a round of beer for the gang and, with some luck, a local bartender may offer some on the house. These memorable moments make their way to social media with popular hashtags for everyone to see.

Special deals and hours are set in pubs and breweries, with some places kicking it up a notch and presenting beer in custom-designed glasses. The bartenders and servers who work round the clock to provide great conversation and beer just the way we like it are appreciated and tipped generously.

International Beer Day By The Numbers

50 billion – the gallons of beer consumed every year all over the world.
8% – the percentage increase in brewing jobs in the U.S. since 2016.
$328.4 billion – the number of dollars contributed towards the economy by the beer industry in 2018.
2.2 million – the number of people employed by the beer industry.
$503,300 – the price of the world’s most expensive beer — Allsopp’s Arctic Ale.
$1.9 billion – the number of dollars contributed to the U.S. economy by Oregon’s beer industry.
1.6% – the percentage of gross domestic product the beer industry in the U.S. contributed in 2018.
912,092 – the number of people who work in malt-beverage retail.
7–10°C – the temperature at which lagers should be stored.
40% – the percentage decrease in the risk of developing kidney stones by drinking beer moderately.

International Beer Day Activities

Sing beer songs at Karaoke

Tune up the twang in your voice and head out to your nearest Karaoke venue to pay tribute to beer. Nobody sings about beer like American country music artists. Don’t worry about being able to carry a tune on International Beer Day. Just add a little southern drawl to that twang, and everyone will be singing along with you, celebrating your good taste in music…and beer.

Earn your wings

…with a test flight of beers, that is, at a local taproom. It’s a big beer world, so step out and try something new on International Beer Day. Better yet, why not make a day of it? Tour the brewery first to learn about the science behind brewing beer and then do some flight testing.

Be Generous

If you are a regular at your local pub, tavern or taproom, leave an extra generous tip at the bar today. Tell your bartender how much you appreciate him or her. Take their photo and post it on your social media sites with lots of kisses and hugs. And please remember to drink and post responsibly.

5 Ode To Beer Hit Country Songs

"I Like Beer"

Recorded by American country music artist Tom T. Hall and released in August 1975, this beer song peaked at #4 as a U.S. country music single.

"Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer"

Recorded by American country music artist Billy Currington and released in May 2010, this was a #1 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

"Beer in Mexico"

Written and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney and released in January 2007, this beer song was a #1 hit on U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

"Drink a Beer"

Recorded by American country music artist Luke Bryan and released in November 2013, this beer song hit #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

"Bubbles in My Beer"

This western swing song was originally recorded by “Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys” in 1947 and has been a bar room standard performed by countless country music artists ever since.

Why We Love International Beer Day

A beer for every budget

We make no judgement when it comes to your taste in beer. Whether you pick up cheap macro brews on the way home from work, or savor craft brews at the taproom, we’re just happy there is a beer for every budget to enjoy on International Beer Day.

Memories

Beer. The adult beverage of choice at reunions, backyard cookouts, and get-togethers with friends and family for centuries. Someone always offers to bring the beer. We think today is a fine day to open a cold one and enjoy reminiscing about days gone by with a toast to those whose memories we love and cherish.

Another reason to drink beer

Oh, come on! Who doesn’t love waking up and seeing today is devoted to beer? We admit we don’t need a reason to enjoy a beer today. But knowing there are millions of beer lovers all around the world bending elbows together to enjoy a brewski makes us feel like family on International Beer Day. Remember: Drink responsibly.

NATIONAL TODAY Thursday JULY 13

JULY 13

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club July_111

National French Fry Day

Did you know that the origin of French fries is likely not French at all?

National French Fry Day on July 13 is a great opportunity to take the time to sample some golden-brown potato slices. But did you know that the origin of French fries is more than likely not French at all? Potatoes were being fried in Belgium way before the French, but more on that later. When it comes to the tastiest French fries on the planet, everyone seems to have an opinion. It’s a time-consuming decision to find your favorite because no two restaurants seem to have the same recipe. French fries do have a nutritional stigma attached to them, however, due to high-caloric and fat content. But it’s tough to say no to a hot batch — even the ones at the bottom of the bag.
When is National French Fry Day 2023?

Crinkle-cut, English style, or McDonald’s famous fries, French fries are enjoyed and celebrated on National French Fry Day on July 13.
History of National French Fry Day

Estimates say Americans eat around 30 pounds of French fries per person each year. That seems like a lot, but when you think about all the ways you can eat fries, it adds up quickly. They’re easy to gobble down, whether they’re straight out of a fast-food French-fry container or whether you’re an expert at making fries at home. Add in all of the different condiments, and these simple potatoes become even more popular.

The term ‘French fries’ refers to deep-fried slices or strips of potatoes. While the precise origins are unknown, the item hit the culinary scene sometime in the 1700s. It had taken an entire century for potatoes to become widely accepted as food, arriving in Europe in the 1600s.

Like most iconic foods, the French fry has an interesting folk story about how it was created. Belgians call dibs on the origins of French fries, claiming it to be an invention of their people. According to a manuscript by Joseph Gerard, the residents of the Meuse Valley, located near Dinant in Belgium, consumed a lot of fish, since they lived near the river. During winters, when the rivers would freeze and fishing would become difficult, the idea to slice potatoes like fish fillets and fry them in hot fat was born.

But all credit does go to the French for popularizing frying foods and selling them in public on street carts called ‘frites,’ in the mid-1700s. Eventually, potatoes were cut in all sorts of shapes and fried. As to how French fries arrived in America, there are two versions of that story, too. The more popular and accepted fact is that Thomas Jefferson brought the dish to the U.S.A. While serving time as an ambassador, Jefferson spent a lot of time in France and went on to serve “potatoes served in the French manner” at a White House dinner in 1802.

The other theory is that World War I soldiers who were stationed around Dinant in Belgium took a liking to the local finger food known as ‘pommes frites’ and took the idea back with them. This is when French fries really took off and became mainstream in the U.S.

National French Fry Day Social Media Buzz

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlMRtnbFUrR/?taken-by=holidaysofginger
Happy French Fry Day!
National French Fry Day - Survey Results

NATIONALTODAY.COM FRENCH FRY SURVEY

Data gathered by a top San Francisco Marketing Agency (survey of 1,000 Americans)

AMERICA’S ULTIMATE RANKING OF FAST FOOD FRIES

#1: McDonalds (35%)
#2: Chick-fil-A (13%)
#3: Five Guys (12%)
#4: Wendys (11%)
#5: Arbys (11%)
#6: Burger King (7%)
#7: In n Out (4%)
#8: Sonic (3%)
#9: Shake Shack (3%)
#10: Carls Jr. (2%)

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE STYLE OF FRIES?

#1: Regular (21%)
#2: Curly (20%)
#3: Steak-cut (14%)
#4: Crinkle (13%)
#5: Waffle (13%)
#6: Wedges (7%)

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CONDIMENT TO PUT ON FRIES?

#1: Ketchup (55%)
#2: Ranch (15%)
#3: Cheese sauce (8%)
#4: Barbecue sauce (7%)
#5: Mayo (4%)

FRIES DIPPED IN MILKSHAKES, YES OR NO?

#1: No, that’s gross (33%)
#2: Yes, I love it (21%)

Traditions

Regular, waffle, Belgian, steak, thick-cut, crinkle-cut, cottage, wedge, curly, shoestring, tornado, and of course, the smiley face, today is the day when fries are celebrated in all shapes and sizes. It is truly amazing how all these variations of fries just seem to taste different and have their own softness and crunch-factor. Try as many as you can today without worrying about your waistline.

To add to the fun, there are countless condiments and toppings that go with fries. Reach out for good ol’ ketchup, or try different sauces and obscure flavors like Nutella!

By the Numbers

165 pounds – the amount of fried potatoes consumed in Belgium annually by every person.

30 pounds – the amount of potato fries consumed by the average American every year.

⅓ – the number of the world’s fries produced by McCain Foods.

90 seconds – the time vending machines in Belgian grocery stores take to fry potatoes and push them out.

1982 – the year when John Calvi wrote an ode to French fries.

7 – the percentage of potatoes grown in the U.S. that are used by McDonald’s.

20 – the ingredients used in McDonald’s’ famous fries recipe.

2-4 – the age of children at which fried potatoes are their highest consumed vegetable.

15 – the types of French fries available.

10,000 – the attendance at the annual French Fry Feed event in the U.S.
National French Fry Day Activities

Try them with a new condiment

Although Americans usually eat their French fries with ketchup, consider experiencing another culture’s condiment on National French Fry Day. Folks in Great Britain eat fries with malt and vinegar. You’d use melted butter and sugar on your fries in Vietnam. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a new favorite.

Try a new seasoning with your fries

Most people cook their French fries in salt, and leave it at that. But you can sprinkle all kinds of seasonings on French fries, giving them a unique taste. Some people like to use a Cajun seasoning with fries, for example. Find the right seasoning, and, as blasphemous as it sounds, you might even decide to skip dunking them in ketchup.

Consider making your own fries at home

It’s going to be tough to outdo your favorite restaurant’s French fries, but you can use National French Fry Day as an excuse to try to make some fries at home. This can be a messy process, especially the frying step, but you can try a few different variations and seasonings this way. And even if you don’t succeed, you’ll have a much greater appreciation for the fry cook at your favorite local restaurant.

5 Delectable Facts About French Fries

Original name

French fries were originally known as ‘French fried potatoes’ in the U.S. — by the 1930s, the ‘potatoes’ was dropped.

It’s in the skin

The skin of potatoes has important nutrients and vitamins that are at times not peeled when making French fries.

Higher fat content

Steak fries have lower fat than regular cut French fries.

Love me some spuds

The slang term for potato, ‘spud,’ comes from the spade-like tool that is used to harvest the potatoes.

Burning off the calories

To burn off calories from consuming a medium-sized order of McDonald’s French fries, one will have to bowl for 90 minutes, bicycle for 58 minutes, or engage in high-impact aerobics for 50 minutes.

Why We Love National French Fry Day

Some restaurants provide free French fries

The best way to find some free French fries on National French Fry Day is to follow the social media accounts of restaurants. A few different places offer free fries with a meal purchase or by using a digital coupon. We’re not sure people need an excuse to eat more, but free certainly works.

French fries go great with almost anything

Sure, the pairing of French fries and hamburgers is ingrained in the American diet. But fries taste great with many different kinds of food, including sandwiches, steak, and even eggs. And although most people will dip their French fries in ketchup, you’ll find people also dipping fries in plenty of other condiments, including ranch-flavored salad dressing, mustard, and even milkshakes. Heck, as strange as it sounds, some people even eat them plain.

There are so many variations

The thin French fry sticks, often called shoestring fries, that are popular with fast food restaurants are the most common type of fry variation, but you can’t stop there. There are waffle fries, steak fries, curly fries, crinkle-cut fries, home fries, and wedge fries. We wouldn’t recommend trying every variation on National French Fry Day, but we won’t discourage those of you who like a challenge.

PUBLIC CITIZEN how little we seem to have learned is itself an emergency

I post these PUBLIC CITIZEN announcements . Solely as a source for information we may not otherwise get a chance to hear . While I most often agree with many of their causes . I post these as more informational than political .

how little we seem to have learned is itself an emergency .

As of today, the United States government is formally ending its classification of COVID-19 as an emergency.

We are a different country than we were before.

We have lost more than a million people to the disease. With hundreds more dying each week.

Many others are struggling with Long COVID.

Many businesses shuttered.

Children had to live through major disruptions to school and daily life.

Our geography changed with the rise of remote work.

The entire health care profession has been depleted by burnout, despair, illness, and death.

Vaccine technology made sudden and impressive leaps forward.

Large-scale government programs averted recession, prevented people from being evicted from their homes, reduced poverty, and improved nutrition.

From all this experience came important lessons about how we can make our nation healthier and more just. Unfortunately, many of these appear to be lessons not learned.

UNLEARNED LESSON #1

Vaccines and drugs invented with government funds must be reasonably priced.

Operation Warp Speed was a great success in speeding the development of lifesaving vaccines and getting them to market. But even though taxpayers provided almost all of the financing for the vaccine sold by Moderna, Moderna gouged taxpayers, with its executives becoming billionaires. Now Moderna plans to quadruple COVID vaccine prices, ripping off patients and the public even more, and inevitably leading to needless rationing due to high prices.

Going forward, the government must impose contractual terms requiring recipients of federal biomedical research and development support to price their products reasonably and affordably.

UNLEARNED LESSON #2

American health in a pandemic depends on global health.

The failure to share and scale up mRNA vaccine technology and production, and to speed global vaccination, likely cost hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of lives around the world. It also made it more likely that new variants would emerge and that COVID would evolve into an endemic disease, which has in fact occurred.

Going forward, the U.S. should fund and commit to sharing mRNA technology with the World Health Organization’s mRNA Technology Transfer Program.

UNLEARNED LESSON #3

We can expand health coverage.

During the pandemic, federal government rules required states to keep people on Medicaid. This led to a significant increase in people receiving Medicaid and access to health care. Medicaid’s “continuous enrollment” rule ended in March, and experts project that will mean up to 24 million Medicaid-eligible people will be dropped and millions of them will become uninsured altogether.

Going forward, Medicaid should require states to adopt measures to keep eligible Medicaid persons enrolled. Beyond that, the United States should recognize that health care is a right and that everyone should be guaranteed quality health care through enacting Medicare for All.

UNLEARNED LESSON #4

We can cut child poverty.

During the pandemic, the American Rescue Plan extended and fixed gaps in the Child Tax Credit. This program led to sharp reductions in U.S. child poverty, which fell to the lowest level on record. There were especially large reductions in child poverty in Black and Latino families. Unfortunately, the expanded Child Tax Credit was allowed to lapse.

Going forward, we have proof positive that we can slash child poverty, if we choose. The United States should reinstitute and build upon the success of the American Rescue Plan’s expanded Child Tax Credit.

Amid the devastation wreaked by COVID, we saw — from positive and negative examples — that We the People have the power to end rip offs, ensure health care for all, share the benefits of innovation globally, proactively prevent the spread of disease, and eliminate poverty.

We have to stay vigilant and active to avoid unlearning the lessons of COVID.

Let’s start with Moderna.

Last week — at the invitation of Senator Bernie Sanders — I testified at a Senate hearing on the exorbitant price of prescription drugs in America.

I highlighted how a handful of Moderna executives have become billionaires by marketing a vaccine that was developed almost entirely by funding from American taxpayers.

And how those same billionaire executives are planning to quadruple the price they charge us for that vaccine — which we paid for in the first place!

Tell Congress:

Before the next pandemic — which experts tell us is a matter of when, not if — pass legislation requiring companies that get federal support for biomedical research and development to price their products reasonably and affordably. The American people should never again be subject to the price-gouging, double-dipping, and extortionate profiteering of Big Pharma — especially not during or after a pandemic and not for treatments developed with public funding.

Click now to add your name.

Thanks for taking action.

For progress,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

* THIS WEEK ON NATIONAL TODAY * MAY 1 - MAY 7

SATURDAY MAY 6

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NATIONAL NURSES DAY

We celebrate Florence Nightingale and recognize the important role nurses play in our lives.

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At the end of the 19th century, “The Lady With the Lamp” — or as she is more widely known, Florence Nightingale — founded modern nursing. Thanks to her strict use of hand-washing and hygiene practices while caring for wounded soldiers in the Crimean War, Nightingale and her helpers reduced the death rate from 42% to 2% — ushering in nursing as we know it today. On May 6, we recognize the important role nurses play in our lives by celebrating National Nurses Day.

When is National Nurses Day 2023?

The heart of the healthcare sector is celebrated on National Nurses Day on May 6. Often the first and last person a patient sees during a hospital visit, nurses are truly the rockstars!

History of National Nurses Day

National Nurses Day is the first day of National Nursing Week, which concludes on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Yet the week was first observed in the US in October 1954 to mark the 100th anniversary of Nightingale’s pioneering work in Crimea.
In 1953, Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare sent a proposal to President Eisenhower asking him to proclaim a “Nurse Day” in October of the following year to coincide with the anniversary. Although the President didn’t act, the celebration was observed thanks to a bill sponsored by Representative Frances P. Bolton, and the following year a new bill was introduced to Congress lobbying for official recognition of the celebration.
Twenty years later, in February of 1974, President Nixon proclaimed a National Nurse Week to be celebrated annually in May. Over the next eight years, various nursing organizations including the American Nurses Association (ANA) rallied to support calls for a “National Recognition Day for Nurses” on May 6, which was eventually proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1982.
With over 3 million working nurses in the US today, nurses make up the highest percentage of the US healthcare workforce. Although you might not imagine it, nurses are more likely to sustain a back injury on a shift than construction workers, and they walk an average of 5 kilometers per shift, as caring for others’ health is such an active job!
If you think nurses are only found in hospitals, then think again! The majority of registered nurses (59%) practice elsewhere, such as in a nursing home or on home visits. They work across communities to keep people worldwide happy and healthy, and National Nurses Day is the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation for their important work!

National Nurses Day timeline

268 B.C.
The First Hospitals
Buddhist Indian ruler Ashoka ordered hospitals to be built along the routes of travelers.

October, 1853
Britain’s Secret Weapon
The Crimean War begins, where Florence Nightingale would create the blueprint for modern day nursing.

1873
Nursing Arrives Stateside
The Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing is set up in New York, becoming the first school in the United States founded on Nightingale’s principles.

May 6, 1982
A Day to Remember
The first official celebration of National Nurses Day takes place in the United States.

National Nurses Day Around the World

National Nurses Day Around the World

[th]Country[/th][th]Holiday[/th][th]Occasion[/th][th]Date[/th]

Traditions of the Day

Always playing a big role in hospitals, the nursing staff is loved and appreciated on National Nurses Day. The most common tradition for expressing gratitude to registered nurses is throwing them a party — inclusive of all shifts. The celebration is hosted by the medical faculty and staff, with some even having fun decorations and nurse-themed cookies and cupcakes.
Volunteers are also active today, putting themselves in a nurse’s shoes to truly appreciate their work. Nurses spend a lot of grueling hours at the hospital, so their stories and encounters are also brought into the spotlight and documented by social media bloggers and storytellers.
The hospital staff and patients generously give gifts and donations to nurses as a token of gratitude for all their hard work. On a larger level, management and leaders within the healthcare sector present nurses with awards and certificates as a symbol of recognition.

By the Numbers

300 A.D. – the earliest date of the first recorded mentions of nurses.
4–5 – the number of miles nurses walk in every shift.
50% – the percentage of nursing students among the total number of healthcare students.
#4 – the ranking of nurse practitioners on a list of ‘25 best jobs of 2019.’
3 million – the number of nurses in the U.S. as of 2016.
19 million – the number of nurses in the world.
41% – the percentage of registered nurses working in hospitals.
10% – the percentage of male registered nurses in the total workforce.
3.24 million – the anticipated increase in the number of registered nurses by 2022.
$35.24 – the median pay of a nurse per hour.

National Nurses Day FAQs

What day is Nurses Appreciation Day?

On May 6, we recognize the important role nurses play in our lives by celebrating National Nurses Day.

What week is National Nurses Week?

National Nurses Week is from May 6 to May 12 every year. The week-long celebration ends on Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

Is it National Nurses Day in Canada?

National Nurses Week celebrations will begin on May 6 and end on May 12. The theme for 2021 is #WeAnswerTheCall.

National Nurses Day Activities

[list="holiday-list holiday-list-celebrate"][*]

Thank the nurses in your life

Nursing is known for being a "behind-the-scenes" profession. A simple "thank you for all you do" could make a nurse's day by showing that you notice their hard work. With more than 3 million registered nurses in the USA, chances are there is at least one nurse out there who would be thrilled to be the object of your gratitude.
[*]

Give the gift of caffeine

Nurses often work long, thankless shifts — standing on their feet for 12 or more hours a day. For a nurse on the run, there's nothing better than a boost of caffeine in the middle of a shift. Head over to your local clinic or hospital with copious amounts of coffee in tow, and tell the receptionist you're there to honor the nurses for National Nurses Day.
[*]

Learn about the woman responsible for it all

We've all heard the name Florence Nightingale. But do you know what made her famous? In honor of National Nurses Day, educate yourself about this groundbreaking woman who paved the way for modern nursing. Read an article — or better yet, watch a documentary — about "The Lady with the Lamp." Bonus points if you can recite the Florence Nightingale Pledge afterward!
[/list]

5 Facts About Florence Nightingale

[list=holiday-listicle__list][*]

She knew six languages

Florence was fluent in English, French, German and Italian, with good knowledge of Latin and Ancient Greek too.
[*]

She trained America’s first nurse

Linda Richards attended Bellevue Training School before traveling to London to train under Nightingale at her School of Nursing.
[*]

She was named after her birthplace

Just like her older sister, Parthenope, Nightingale’s parents christened Florence with the name of the Italian town she was born in.
[*]

Her parents objected to nursing

Back then, it was considered a professional for the lower classes, and was linked to prostitution, so Mom and Dad took some convincing.
[*]

She owned a stuffed owl

Nightingale rescued her beloved owl from a group of youths playing in the street, and had her feathery friend stuffed when it died.
[/list]

Why We Love National Nurses Day

[list="holiday-list holiday-list-loveit"][*]

Nurses are the backbone of medical care

Doctors may diagnose us, prescribe our medicines, and perform our surgeries, but without nurses, their jobs would be impossible. Nurses are on the front lines every day — administering shots, performing physical exams, nursing wounds, and in many cases, caring for dying patients when the doctor is away. Nurses are there for us during our most vulnerable moments.
[*]

Nurses are repeatedly ranked the most trusted profession

Chances are, nurses know more about you than anyone else in your life. They know your weight (and keep it a secret!), they've seen you naked, and they know all your vitals. But you can trust them. According to polls, more than 80% of Americans think nurses have either "high" or "very high" ethical standards.
[*]

Even when they're not working, they're nursing friends and family

If you're lucky enough to have a nurse in the family, you never have to worry about your health. Even when they're off the clock, nurses are always ready to give medical advice, administer medication, and fix us right up when something is wrong — even if that happens to be in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner.
[/list]

10 One-Hit Wonders of the ‘60s and ‘70s

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10 One-Hit Wonders of the ‘60s and ‘70s

09 | 21 | 2021
One-hit wonders may have found commercial success fleeting, but they’ve certainly succeeded in staying on the airwaves and in our heads for decades. Check out the stories behind these 10 singular sensations.

“Spirit in the Sky,” Norman Greenbaum

Norman Greenbaum may have been a one-hit wonder with his “spiritual” guitar licks, but the song has been good to him over the years. He has said it took him just 15 minutes to pen the song in 1968 after seeing gospel singer Porter Wagoner on TV. “I thought, ‘Yeah, I could do that,’” he told the New York Times in 2006. He was right — and the song has been a mainstay ever since, even if the rest of Greenbaum’s career didn’t make quite the same splash. Because “Spirit” has been featured in countless movies and commercials over the years, Greenbaum’s 15-minute songwriting session more than paid off.

“Afternoon Delight,” Starland Vocal Band

The song that quickly became synonymous with hanky-panky had fairly innocuous origins: In 1974, band member Bill Danoff was enjoying Happy Hour at Clyde’s restaurant in Georgetown when he noticed their menu referred to the specials as “afternoon delights.” He filed the phrase away and later built it into the one-hit wonder everyone (including Ron Burgandy) knows and loves today. Starland Vocal Band never found the same smash-hit success, but they’ve made peace with it. "We didn't sustain a career but we lived the average life span of any band - five years,” said lead singer Taffy Nivert. "But because we were a one-hit wonder, we got our name on the wall at the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame," she added. "If we had another hit, that would never have happened."

“Hooked on a Feeling,” Blue Swede

It may be famous for its “Ooga-Chaka” opening lyrics, but “Hooked on a Feeling” was around for three years before the catchy intro was added. The song was originally recorded by singer B.J. Thomas, known for the ballad “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” British musician Jonathan King added the “Ooga-Chaka”s when he covered the song in 1971, and Blue Swede picked it up when they released their version in 1974. It was this version that found its way into 8-track players across the nation — and, eventually, movies like Reservoir Dogs and Guardians of the Galaxy. The Swedish band (yes, they really were) was only active for two years - 1973-1975 - but the impact they made has lasted a lifetime.

“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” Looking Glass

Had Looking Glass’s lead singer Elliot Lurie gone a more literal direction with the lyrics to this one-hit wonder, we’d be singing, “Randye, you’re a fine girl.” Randye was the name of his high school girlfriend; Lurie sang her name over the chords of a song he was working on. Eventually he created a story to go along with the tune and changed the name to better fit the story: “In my mind, it was a 19th century port with sailors and barmaids and things like that,” Lurie told The Hollywood Reporter. “So, the name is borrowed from my high school girlfriend and then changed to Brandy because obviously that makes a lot more sense when you are a barmaid.” Looking Glass did have one other Top 40 hit, “Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne,” but it lacked the timelessness of “Brandy.”

“Black Betty,” Ram Jam

It’s hard to tell from the hard-rocking version that was a hit for Ram Jam in 1977, but “Black Betty” was originally a folk song sometimes credited to Lead Belly. Lead Belly’s version was just 59 seconds, but when Ram Jam expanded it to nearly 4 minutes, they had a #18 hit on their hands - their only hit. The true meaning of “Black Betty” has never fully been explained, but theories include that it refers to a bottle of moonshine, a musket, or a whip used in a prison yard.

“Wipe Out,” The Surfaris

The surf-rock band The Surfaris really only had two songs — and “Wipe Out” was made up in mere minutes just so the song “Surfer Joe” would have a B-side Bob Berryhill, co-writer of the song, said the base was a marching band cadence made up by drummer Ronnie Wilson, who — surprise, surprise — was in his high school marching band. The whole song came together in about 15 minutes, with manager Dale Smallen providing what they called “the witch’s laugh.” The instrumental song became a national hit, charting at #2 in 1963. Though The Surfaris released many other albums and singles, none even came close to the popularity of “Wipe Out.”

“Stuck in the Middle With You,” Stealers Wheel

If you ever confused “Stuck in the Middle With You” with a Bob Dylan song, then mission accomplished: The tune was meant as a Dylan parody. The lyrics themselves - think, “Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right” - were intended to represent an industry cocktail party. Though the Scottish band had three studio albums and lead singer Gerry Rafferty went on to have solo hits like “Baker Street,” “Stuck in the Middle With You” has become particularly cemented in music history thanks to its placement in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs and, in more recent years, as the theme song to the Netflix show Grace and Frankie.

“Escape (The Pina Colada Song),” Rupert Holmes

This one-hit wonder has the distinction of being the last song to chart in the 1970s. Surprisingly, Holmes had a hit bigger than “Escape” - “Him,” which charted at #4 in 1980. But today, he’s definitely more well known for the pina coladas — which, as of 2019, he still doesn’t drink. And although he may not be so well-known for the rest of the music he sang, Holmes is famous among industry insiders and musicians, writing songs for Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Barry Manilow and Judy Collins, among others.

“Harper Valley P.T.A.,” Jeannie Riley

Released in 1968, this sassy song about a mom singled out by her daughter’s straight-laced PTA apparently resonated with a lot of people. The tune hit number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs charts (a feat not matched until Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” in 1981) and Riley won a Grammy for her vocals. She never had a mainstream hit afterward, but that’s likely due to her career change – in 1972, she became a born-again Christian and switched to singing gospel instead.

“Hey! Baby,” Bruce Channel

For a song that only held the #1 position on the Billboard charts for three weeks in 1962, it’s sure had a lasting impact - pep bands and sports arenas still play it nearly 60 years later. The song was written by Channel and his acquaintance Margaret Combs when they were teenagers trying to create hits like they heard on the radio. Channel’s only other commercial success was a song called “Keep On,” which made the Top 40 in the U.K., but didn’t do much in the States.

CHAMBERS BAY REDUX - OFFICIAL POSTABLES pg 1

CHAMBERS BAY REDUX - OFFICIAL POSTABLES FULL WGT THREAD

pg 1 of 55 .

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YancyCan
3,023 Posts

Wed, Feb 28 2018 2:24 PM

[b]THE CHAMBERS BAY REDUX -- REVEAL THE REVEALABLES[/b]
[b]TOMORRROW AT 1PM PST USA --- LIVE ANNOUNCEMENT VIA TWITTER
ALL ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO JOIN IN THE BROADCAST. THIS IS AN EVENT THAT WILL DWARF ALL OTHERS BEFORE. THEIR IS LOTS OF ENERGY BEHIND THIS FROM THE GOLFERS ON THE COURSE TO WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE "OTHER-WORLDLY". I HAVE NOT THE ANSWERS HERE NOR HAVE I EXPERIENCED THE END - WHICH WILL BE WITH MUCH POSTIVITIABLES[/b]
[b]I WILL STAY LIVE AS LONG AS YOU GOT QUESTIONS -- ABOUT ANYTHING, THINK OF TWO WORDS: FILIBUSTER. THIS IS NOT A YANCY EVENT - MY DUTY HERE IS TO YOU AS THE MESSENGER AND TO THEM AS THEIR RETAINER.[/b]
I AM TOTALLY CEREAL.
[b]SINCERELY, I AM YANCY[/b]
www.twitter.com/teamyancy

THE CONFUSION BOTH ENDS AND BEGINS AGAIN IN THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND SEARCH OF CHAMBERS BAY FOR A SERIES OF THINGS THAT WILL REVEAL AN ENDING THAT IS LIKE NONE OTHER BEFORE -- THIS IS MUCH MORE THAN A SASQUATCH HUNT OR CHASING AFTER RABBITS ON PINEHURST. WILL BE TAKING QUESTIONS LIVE & GIVING THE ESSENTIAL PREMISE OF THIS WGT COMMUNITY WIDE MISSION
opyeuclid
6,667 Posts Wed, Feb 28 2018 2:30 PM

Team Yancy .
YancyCan
3,023 Posts Thu, Mar 1 2018 11:12 AM

EARLY ARRIVABLERS GET EARLY DISCLOSURABLES:

Come join the coversation & learn the details of this Uber-Grande WGT Mission
No login required --- simply go to link below & refresh page at 1pm PST (app. 2 hours) until live viewer appears via Twitter ---- Sincerely, My name is Yancy
www.twitter.com/teamyancy
YancyCan
3,023 Posts Fri, Mar 2 2018 1:32 AM

Good Morning/Evening Whatnots
--- I rushed this out maybe too fast. My recent time-travels & living as a USB Flashdrive past couple weeks has me acting a little unusuabling strange & sleep has been in shifts for few months. Thanks to Ryan (our intern) for keeping things together (allegedly).

Let me please prepare the official event sheets for you alls and I will lay out in a much more coherentable fashion what this epic WGT Community Event is all abouts & such.The 35m video link below will show you that I was not of sound mind & body when it was filmed yesterday - today? - doesnt matter in big picture.

Apologies for the delays and snafus that have got this off to a fractured start. However, as I do like to say "Stay With Me Now" - you will not be disappointed by the mission & epic endgame that you can experience participating in this golf experience.

Please remember, this is NOT a Yancy Event, it was enacted by the powers that be all up on this WGT - I am simply your messenger & their retainer.

Have not the strength to narrate anymore to Intern Ryan at this time - and this mission for us is much too complex to give a simple version of & whatnots. Must rest, when awoken the "Chambers Bay Redux - The Revealables" will be task #1 till done.
10 WORD QUICK SUMMARY:
-- 9 hidden wooden/tree limb signs with golf course names and the miles each one is away from Chambers Bay are needed to be found on the frontside. These signs, when reserachabled together, will reveal where to go for the epic reveleable. As of now, there have been 3 of us trying to get a couple so we could explain this in an understandables manner for you alls.

FOUND: TORREY PINES -- HOLE #1
FOUND: CHERRY HILLS -- HOLE #4
FOUND: BALTUSTROL -- HOLE #5

6 more on the loose and fancy-free --- Prizes will be awarded to the finders on these remaining holes (undetermined yet - but will be decent enuff

Game on - Press Conference Video Link Below:
https://twitter.com/TeamYancy/status/969315633681715201

Goodnight --- Your Host, My name is Yancy
While I sleep --- DrMoose has the Co-Host Duties for this and can field your inquiries
drmoose
3,509 Posts Fri, Mar 2 2018 4:12 AM

Doc
YancyCan
3,023 Posts Fri, Mar 2 2018 12:23 PM

drmoose:

Doc
YancyCan
3,023 Posts Fri, Mar 2 2018 12:24 PM
YancyCan
3,023 Posts Fri, Mar 2 2018 12:26 PM
YancyCan
3,023 Posts Fri, Mar 2 2018 12:26 PM
TopShelf2010
10,642 Posts Fri, Mar 2 2018 7:41 PM

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WGT National Enquirer - Top 10 Toy List NOV 2011

Top 10 Toy List

PAGES 1 - 3

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andyson
6,415 Posts

Tue, Nov 22 2011 11:10 AM

My wife just got this in an email............

With the biggest shopping day of the year just around the corner, the WGT National Enquirer staff has scoured the local toy stores to make it easier to shop for your WGT addicted loved ones. After days and weeks of hair pulling and heart wrenching decision making, here are the top 10 WGT-related toys to gift.

#10 Mr. Potato Head - WGT Edition

Our own loveable WGTIcon comes to life as Mr. Potato Head in this special WGT edition of a classic for all ages!!
#9 Red Rider BolloxinBruges BB Gun

One of the all-time greatest young boy's Christmas gifts is a Red Ryder BB gun! The new BolloxinBruges Special edition will teach your youngster to be a straight shooter just like Bollie!
#8 Dr. Jedi's Medical Kit

The perfect role model for your children, Dr. Jedi has helped thousands with their problems on wgt.com. What better way to teach your kids how to give a shot?
#7 Tickle Me Esssy
This WGT Special Edition features lots of lols lol, Tickle his ribs and he'll say the most amazing things only he can understand! lol
#6 MrWGT's Monopoly

Be an entrepreneur like MrWGT! Play the new (coming soon) Monopoly Challenge on wgt.com using your credits not Monopoly money. Of course, WGT gets a 20% rake on all credit transactions.
#5 YANCYCAN'S WHAC-A-MOLE!

Bop them moles!! Help our good friend and fellow WGTer Yancy clear those pesky moles out of his Par 2 & 1/2 golf course with this WGT Special Edition Whac-A-Mole game!
#4 LizzieRossetti's Silly Putting Ball

Great stocking stuffers!! If you've seen Lizzie putt you know how hysterical it can be (it isn't her fault)! Now you can "Putt Like Lizzie" with this goofy ball made from the amazing world renown substance known to everyone as Silly Putty.
#3 Gift Certificates to WGT's New Driving Range

Gift certificates for a bucket of balls at the new WGT Driving range (coming soon in December, 2018!) are a welcome gift for any WGTer! Watch them practice hitting balls into Lake Tibbets and hear the squeals of laughter that it wasn't their own Callaway. (Add the YankeeJim blindfold from the WGT pro shop and they can learn how to hit by feel!)
#2 Plush Toy renniw52

We've all played with Ren on wgt.com, now we can play with him at home! This 8" tall squirrel plush toy is handcrafted by artisans and has amazing attention to detail. Nuts are included.
And the Number One WGT National Enquirer recommended gift is!!
#1 WGT Transformers - Legend to Master

Our most popular game. Use your Legend skills from the Master tees in WGT.com challenge and ready go competitions and amass millions in credits. Up to 10 accounts are available. Also available in Legend to Pro and Legend to Tour Pro.
Happy shopping everyone!
opyeuclid
6,660 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 11:19 AM

I have been a good boy this year ,, I want them ALL
duffer66
700 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 11:21 AM

LMAO Andy, great edition, maybe the best yet.
MioKontic
4,152 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 11:41 AM

I smashed my piggy bank in which I've been saving for the last 15 years and have £7.93 exactly. Hope that will be enough for all these great treats.
[Running through front door and shouting back towards microphone] I'M OFF OUT TO GET THOSE BABIES BEFORE THEY ALL GET SNAPPED UP.
( photo not available }
tiffer67
1,764 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 12:03 PM

Andyson you are a living genius, endless quality, fantastic....
hpurey
11,505 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 12:19 PM

Great post, yet again Andy....very funny stuff.....
Found this on the world wide webby thing, couldn't not share it. It's a gift for Multi accounters.........If you want to have more than one account then everything in the proshop costs double, and you must use the required credit card for the purchase.......
SgtDoodles
3,112 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 12:21 PM

ROFL!! Another Classic andyson ;-)
renniw52
5,385 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 12:24 PM

Wow my friend, awesome is an under statement. What a wish list. I relent all profits from the renniw52 plush toy to future Andyson posts. You made my day. Hope you and yours, as well as all WGT members have a very safe, and enjoyable Holiday season.
LizzieRossetti
1,545 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 2:09 PM

I remain undecided who I should thank most, Andyson, or the kind anonymous donor who bought all of these items for me already in exchange for just one or two pictures taken whilst I was working through University and needed the money. Many thanks Chad, I love them all.

Lizzie xx
renniw52
5,385 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 2:20 PM

Pictures?????

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PRIESTESS
10,558 Posts

Tue, Nov 22 2011 2:36 PM

Very cool Andy as usual.
gsoup
2,929 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 3:27 PM

renniw52:
Pictures?????

yeah what he said

on a lighter note, good one Andy!!
even remembered to swallow and put down the Pepsi can
before i look a looksie
Greg
YancyCan
3,023 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 9:45 PM

Nice work. As always.
Is my subscription on the auto-renew and whatnots?
THX
My name is Yancy
birdwell
561 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 9:58 PM

Brilliant!
Lashe
824 Posts Wed, Nov 23 2011 9:32 AM

Brilliant as always Andy! lol Now I actually want to go shopping this year. :-)
andyson
6,415 Posts Wed, Nov 23 2011 3:51 PM

This Chad fella Lizzie? Do we all know him?
Cuz I saw this ad today....
( photo not available }
MioKontic
4,152 Posts Thu, Nov 24 2011 2:59 PM

andyson:
This Chad fella Lizzie? Do we all know him?

Well, I ain't gonna be the one to tell, but when StrangeMagic comes back he's gonna be real mad that someone has stolen his Lizzie. A man turns his head and some guy named Chad pulls a nelson on him! I mean, he's only been gone a few months, no time at all really.
LizzieRossetti
1,545 Posts Thu, Nov 24 2011 5:40 PM

He is in my cellar. Tell no one.
MioKontic
4,152 Posts Thu, Nov 24 2011 7:22 PM

LizzieRossetti:

He is in my cellar. Tell no one.
( photo not available }
Mum's the word.
I bet he's all tied up too, and dressed in... ah, forget it!
Speaking of SM, when's he gonna be back? I'm missing my daily ration of beans like only he knows how to cook 'em. Burnt mostly, but food nonetheless. Sort of.
gsoup
2,929 Posts Thu, Nov 24 2011 8:56 PM

MioKontic:
like only he knows how to cook 'em

they are flavored by the southbound end of a north bound mule, hes held me to secrecy but I just had to tell someone. being hes not here and such

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MioKontic
4,152 Posts

Fri, Nov 25 2011 2:41 AM

gsoup:
they are flavored by the southbound end of a north bound mule

Maybe that explains this sign I saw whilst travelling through the desert a while back...
( photo not available }
But, I can assure you G that my plate of beans was always kosher. Just sayin'.
SGTBilko
1,686 Posts Fri, Nov 25 2011 4:02 AM

THANKS ALOT! Now I have to clean the coffee off my laptop screen for the 2nd time this week! LMAO
#2 Plush Toy renniw52

We've all played with Ren on wgt.com, now we can play with him at home! This 8" tall squirrel plush toy is handcrafted by artisans and has amazing attention to detail. Nuts are included.
And the Number One WGT National Enquirer recommended gift is!!
gsoup
2,929 Posts Fri, Nov 25 2011 4:36 PM

shoop:
Cellar?

thats that room they have under some peoples house, in the old day they used it to store canned food
IvaThongon
932 Posts Mon, Nov 28 2011 8:44 PM

Stellar work as always andyson! I've had a trying couple weeks, the smile is very appreciated!
navigater
1,319 Posts Mon, Nov 28 2011 9:02 PM

gsoup:

renniw52:
Pictures?????

yeah what he said

pictures
hpurey
11,505 Posts Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:12 AM

Hey,

When is the next issue coming out?
drmoose
3,507 Posts Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:41 AM

Don't know how I missed this the first go 'round, absolute genius andyson, Thx for bringin' it back up hpurey.
Doc
sixkiller
1,147 Posts Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:52 AM

Yeah Andy, I some how missed the beginning of this post, great fun!
SgtDoodles
3,112 Posts Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:59 AM

Folks that are new to this... CLICK HERE and be prepared to rofl!

MORE GR8 CLASSICS FROM ANDYSON & MORE

FROM THE WGT THREAD WGT National Enquirer - Top 10 Toy List

andyson
6,415 Posts

Tue, Nov 22 2011 11:10 AM

My wife just got this in an email............

With the biggest shopping day of the year just around the corner, the WGT National Enquirer staff has scoured the local toy stores to make it easier to shop for your WGT addicted loved ones. After days and weeks of hair pulling and heart wrenching decision making, here are the top 10 WGT-related toys to gift.

#10 Mr. Potato Head - WGT Edition

Our own loveable WGTIcon comes to life as Mr. Potato Head in this special WGT edition of a classic for all ages!!
#9 Red Rider BolloxinBruges BB Gun

One of the all-time greatest young boy's Christmas gifts is a Red Ryder BB gun! The new BolloxinBruges Special edition will teach your youngster to be a straight shooter just like Bollie!
#8 Dr. Jedi's Medical Kit

The perfect role model for your children, Dr. Jedi has helped thousands with their problems on wgt.com. What better way to teach your kids how to give a shot?
#7 Tickle Me Esssy
This WGT Special Edition features lots of lols lol, Tickle his ribs and he'll say the most amazing things only he can understand! lol
#6 MrWGT's Monopoly

Be an entrepreneur like MrWGT! Play the new (coming soon) Monopoly Challenge on wgt.com using your credits not Monopoly money. Of course, WGT gets a 20% rake on all credit transactions.
#5 YANCYCAN'S WHAC-A-MOLE!

Bop them moles!! Help our good friend and fellow WGTer Yancy clear those pesky moles out of his Par 2 & 1/2 golf course with this WGT Special Edition Whac-A-Mole game!
#4 LizzieRossetti's Silly Putting Ball

Great stocking stuffers!! If you've seen Lizzie putt you know how hysterical it can be (it isn't her fault)! Now you can "Putt Like Lizzie" with this goofy ball made from the amazing world renown substance known to everyone as Silly Putty.
#3 Gift Certificates to WGT's New Driving Range

Gift certificates for a bucket of balls at the new WGT Driving range (coming soon in December, 2018!) are a welcome gift for any WGTer! Watch them practice hitting balls into Lake Tibbets and hear the squeals of laughter that it wasn't their own Callaway. (Add the YankeeJim blindfold from the WGT pro shop and they can learn how to hit by feel!)
#2 Plush Toy renniw52

We've all played with Ren on wgt.com, now we can play with him at home! This 8" tall squirrel plush toy is handcrafted by artisans and has amazing attention to detail. Nuts are included.
And the Number One WGT National Enquirer recommended gift is!!
#1 WGT Transformers - Legend to Master

Our most popular game. Use your Legend skills from the Master tees in WGT.com challenge and ready go competitions and amass millions in credits. Up to 10 accounts are available. Also available in Legend to Pro and Legend to Tour Pro.
Happy shopping everyone!
opyeuclid
6,660 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 11:19 AM

I have been a good boy this year ,, I want them ALL
duffer66
700 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 11:21 AM

LMAO Andy, great edition, maybe the best yet.
MioKontic
4,152 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 11:41 AM

I smashed my piggy bank in which I've been saving for the last 15 years and have £7.93 exactly. Hope that will be enough for all these great treats.
[Running through front door and shouting back towards microphone] I'M OFF OUT TO GET THOSE BABIES BEFORE THEY ALL GET SNAPPED UP.
( photo not available }
tiffer67
1,764 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 12:03 PM

Andyson you are a living genius, endless quality, fantastic....
hpurey
11,505 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 12:19 PM

Great post, yet again Andy....very funny stuff.....
Found this on the world wide webby thing, couldn't not share it. It's a gift for Multi accounters.........If you want to have more than one account then everything in the proshop costs double, and you must use the required credit card for the purchase.......
SgtDoodles
3,112 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 12:21 PM

ROFL!! Another Classic andyson ;-)
renniw52
5,385 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 12:24 PM

Wow my friend, awesome is an under statement. What a wish list. I relent all profits from the renniw52 plush toy to future Andyson posts. You made my day. Hope you and yours, as well as all WGT members have a very safe, and enjoyable Holiday season.
LizzieRossetti
1,545 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 2:09 PM

I remain undecided who I should thank most, Andyson, or the kind anonymous donor who bought all of these items for me already in exchange for just one or two pictures taken whilst I was working through University and needed the money. Many thanks Chad, I love them all.

Lizzie xx
renniw52
5,385 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 2:20 PM

Pictures?????

PRIESTESS
10,558 Posts

Tue, Nov 22 2011 2:36 PM

Very cool Andy as usual.
gsoup
2,929 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 3:27 PM

renniw52:
Pictures?????

yeah what he said

on a lighter note, good one Andy!!
even remembered to swallow and put down the Pepsi can
before i look a looksie
Greg
YancyCan
3,023 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 9:45 PM

Nice work. As always.
Is my subscription on the auto-renew and whatnots?
THX
My name is Yancy
birdwell
561 Posts Tue, Nov 22 2011 9:58 PM

Brilliant!
Lashe
824 Posts Wed, Nov 23 2011 9:32 AM

Brilliant as always Andy! lol Now I actually want to go shopping this year. :-)
andyson
6,415 Posts Wed, Nov 23 2011 3:51 PM

This Chad fella Lizzie? Do we all know him?
Cuz I saw this ad today....
( photo not available }
MioKontic
4,152 Posts Thu, Nov 24 2011 2:59 PM

andyson:
This Chad fella Lizzie? Do we all know him?

Well, I ain't gonna be the one to tell, but when StrangeMagic comes back he's gonna be real mad that someone has stolen his Lizzie. A man turns his head and some guy named Chad pulls a nelson on him! I mean, he's only been gone a few months, no time at all really.
LizzieRossetti
1,545 Posts Thu, Nov 24 2011 5:40 PM

He is in my cellar. Tell no one.
MioKontic
4,152 Posts Thu, Nov 24 2011 7:22 PM

LizzieRossetti:

He is in my cellar. Tell no one.
( photo not available }
Mum's the word.
I bet he's all tied up too, and dressed in... ah, forget it!
Speaking of SM, when's he gonna be back? I'm missing my daily ration of beans like only he knows how to cook 'em. Burnt mostly, but food nonetheless. Sort of.
gsoup
2,929 Posts Thu, Nov 24 2011 8:56 PM

MioKontic:
like only he knows how to cook 'em

they are flavored by the southbound end of a north bound mule, hes held me to secrecy but I just had to tell someone. being hes not here and such

MioKontic
4,152 Posts

Fri, Nov 25 2011 2:41 AM

gsoup:
they are flavored by the southbound end of a north bound mule

Maybe that explains this sign I saw whilst travelling through the desert a while back...
( photo not available }
But, I can assure you G that my plate of beans was always kosher. Just sayin'.
SGTBilko
1,686 Posts Fri, Nov 25 2011 4:02 AM

THANKS ALOT! Now I have to clean the coffee off my laptop screen for the 2nd time this week! LMAO
#2 Plush Toy renniw52

We've all played with Ren on wgt.com, now we can play with him at home! This 8" tall squirrel plush toy is handcrafted by artisans and has amazing attention to detail. Nuts are included.
And the Number One WGT National Enquirer recommended gift is!!
gsoup
2,929 Posts Fri, Nov 25 2011 4:36 PM

shoop:
Cellar?

thats that room they have under some peoples house, in the old day they used it to store canned food
IvaThongon
932 Posts Mon, Nov 28 2011 8:44 PM

Stellar work as always andyson! I've had a trying couple weeks, the smile is very appreciated!
navigater
1,319 Posts Mon, Nov 28 2011 9:02 PM

gsoup:

renniw52:
Pictures?????

yeah what he said

pictures
hpurey
11,505 Posts Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:12 AM

Hey,

When is the next issue coming out?
drmoose
3,507 Posts Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:41 AM

Don't know how I missed this the first go 'round, absolute genius andyson, Thx for bringin' it back up hpurey.
Doc
sixkiller
1,147 Posts Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:52 AM

Yeah Andy, I some how missed the beginning of this post, great fun!
SgtDoodles
3,112 Posts Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:59 AM

Folks that are new to this... CLICK HERE and be prepared to rofl!

MEET THE BOT FAMILY

I want to create a bot for posting on forums

Cain_Nuke

Aug '16 #1

Hi,
I would like to create a bot but since its my first time I dont know where to begin from. Like for example what language can I use. I have experience with PHP and some python but thats about it I need a bot that does the following: check every 1 minute or so whether there is a new comment from a given user and then immediately post a reply to it. I want to upload it to a webserver and have it work full time.
Could you please put me in the right direction so I have something to start with?
Thank you.

Erik_Jpossible is a state of mind
Aug '16 #2

I assume that the forum is your own.
Then you can use serverside to respond to that given user when a post is made. (But I wouldn’t call that a “bot”.)
I suggest you use PHP to accomplish this.
(Maybe you can ask to move the thread to the PHP forum?)

GandalfIrregular
Aug '16 #3

(Maybe you can ask to move the thread to the PHP forum?)

Done!

colshrapnel
Aug '16 #4

I want to create a bot for posting on forums

How many forums you need to post on?

MittineagueFormer Community Award Winner
Aug '16 #5

Maybe taking a look at HUBOT could help some?
HUBOT

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club Dangerroom-full

HUBOT 1.4k

Hubot is your friendly robot sidekick. Install him in your company to dramatically improve employee efficiency.

Cain_Nuke

Erik_J
Aug '16 #6

It doesnt have to be on PHP. I will take the option that better meets my needs. And no, the forum is not mine so it has to be something that works externally. Is PHP the best option then? Because please keep in mind that it the script, program, bot or whatever is called should work automatically without operator.
I only need to post on one forum. The bot should check every minute or so whether there is a new comment from a certain user and reply immediately. I guess that if this is done on PHP I would require to set a cronjob for my server to run the script automatically, right?

MittineagueFormer Community Award Winner
Aug '16 #7

the forum is not mine so it has to be something that works externally

I guess the first step is to determine the API the other forum has for posting replies to a particular member.
Knowing that may influence the decision about what the best language to use might be.
Has the site given you an API key for you to experiment with during development yet?

Cain_Nuke
Aug '16 #8

No, but I wrote a script myself that does something similar. If you access it on your browser it tells you how many posts that user has. My idea is to have the bot access that and whenever the number there changes make it run.

TO CONTINUE GO TO : https://www.sitepoint.com/community/t/i-want-to-create-a-bot-for-posting-on-forums/235061/7

ICONIAN's TIPS

WGT FORUM THREAD How to properly use chip and pitch clubs: A guide V2.0

W

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club U80340_20210302_144625.jpg?0.157

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club USA.gif?0.157

iconian
599 Posts

Sun, Jan 3 2010 4:34 PM

*This has been fairly popular. I finally have some free time to properly update it with more readable language and better formatting. A special thank you goes to drivnchaos for his help with the wording.*
I know many of you have trouble figuring exactly how the chip and pitch shots work. Since all clubs have different distances, when using the chip or pitch shot, this will be a general guide. If you use this as a guideline, and practice a bit, you should be able to improve your short game.
During the first section of this guide we'll be using the standard clubs, standard green speed and standard ball. Later on the different green speeds and balls will be covered. Due to green speed changes, at the end of this guide, I will update with the details on how to adjust it.
If you do not read the last paragraph if this guide, then you might as well close the window now!
I'll start with the chip shot:
The chip shot gives about 25% air travel, the rest is time spent rolling on the green. Chip shot is most important when a person in on a fringe and has a putt with major break and/or elevation change. It allows you to carry few yards in the air, bypass all the nasty elevation/break and then land on green and roll in the roll. This means an accurate read of the green is needed when using this. Since the air time is so short, the distance from the green is also a big factor. If you are more than 2yds off the green, do not use the chip shot. The pitch shot is the better option.

Most often the chip is played using a wedge, but can be played with any iron. Remember that the ball spends alot of time on the green when chipping so the right/left break must be read accurately. It is probably best not to go any higher than a 9 or 8 iron for this reason. ie:
You're trying to chip a 35yd shot. Your ball will land about 9 yrds away, and roll another 26 yds. That's a 78 ft roll where the break of the green will influence your shot.
The distance of each club is the distance when playing from the fairway, to a level target. If You are standing on the fairway, the hole is 17yds away, and the elevation is 0, your shot should go about 17yds. Since this is usually not the given lie, here are a few things to factor into your shot.

1) What is your lie in the rough and how far away is the green. Remember if you are more than 2yds from the green, don't use the chip.
2)What is the elevation difference.
3)What is the break of the green where your shot will first hit the green. The break may be slight near the hole, but remember that the ball rolls for 75% of the shot. Try dragging the aim arrow to where you think the ball will touchdown, and check the break there also.
4)Always practice using 1 type of chip. I always use backspin, very rarely using topspin or no spin, so all distances givin are using backspin.

With these things in mind, here are a couple of examples. For these I'll be using a 17yd chip shot
A) You have a 13yd chip from 40/50 rough and the hole is 1ft below you. Your ball is on the edge of the rough, so there should be no problem using the chip shot. Now since you're in the 40/50 rough, more power is needed, but the hole is downhill so there is more run involved. That's the tricky part.
In general the 40/50 rough requires 40% more power to get the distance you want.That means in order to go 13yds, A shot with 19yds of power is needed. Remember this is with 0 elevation change.
The hole being 1ft lower than the ball means that a full 17yd chip shot from the fairway, would run to about 20yds. This is where practice is needed.
Knowing that the ball will go 20yds due to the downslope, and knowing more power is needed to release the ball from the rough, you need to find the midpoint of the 2 shots. From experience I've found that hitting with 15yds of power, and full backspin, I can drop it within 3ft 8 out of 10 times. Remember that this is a shot with no left/right break.
B) This one you're on the fairway chipping to an uphill green with a break to the right. A good example of this is Bethpage hole #11.
You're about 19yds short and the hole is 2ft uphill. The green breaks hard left to right. Remember that hitting uphill will require more power, but since you're on the fairway, not alot more. Also, the break will add distance to the shot. 1yd per foot uphill, and since I'm aiming about 1yd to the left, I'll add an extra yd. Thats 3yds extra power, aiming to the left about a yard. Usually this gets me up close to the hole. The best thing here is practice.
The thing to think about with chipping is this. It is a recovery shot. You have missed the green with your first, second, or third shot, and now you just want to save par. Getting it close to the hole, for an easy putt, is the important part. Course management and effective use of the chip, will save you at least 1-2 shots per round. As you will be consistently getting close to the hole, the chips will start to fall in.
Now I'll move on to the pitch shot.

The pitch shot gives about 50% air travel before hitting the green. This means less time rolling, and less influence from the break.
The pitch shot works well when you're to far away to chip. This is most often on Bethpage where the rough stops the ball quickly. The use of the pitch shot is essential on Bethpage.
Here are a few rules to follow for the pitch shot:

1) From the fairway subtract 4 to 5 yards
2) From 30/40 rough add 0 yard
3) From 40/50 rough add 2 yards
4) from 10/20 sand subtract 1 yards

The same rules apply to pitching as they do on chipping when an uphill/downhill approach is encountered. Also take into account the right/left break of the green. As I said earlier, the break has less influence because the ball is not spending as much time on the green.
The pitch shot is very useful when you are short of the green on Bethpage #10. When I am in the rough or sand 22-28 yds out, I just follow the above rules, and I am within 5ft 90% of the time. There are some greens that have a large incline between the rough/sand and the hole. #5 and #6 on Bethpage are good examples of this. This is where being 2yds off your power can mean being stuck in the rough or being 10-12ft past the hole. The best advice I can give you is to keep notes on the trouble spots. That way when you are there again, and you will be lol, you can adust your shots for a better result.

As a final note on chipping and pitching. These 2 shots are probably the most consistent parts of this game. Being able to use them properly will easily shave 2-3 strokes off your game on Bethpage.

Just a few words on the punch option. I like to call this an advanced option
This shot works well on Bethpage to get yourself out a tough situation. The rough on that course is deep in most spots, and the punch shot can really save your round. I find that when punch is used, from the rough, the distance of the club travel is closer than that of a full shot. This also works when you are facing a headwind, from the fairway. A good example of this is Bethpage #1. A 188yd punch shot into a 9 headwind will go about 185yds. A 185yd full shot will only go about 177yds.

The punch has a few more fairway uses on Kiawah though. I regularly use it on holes #13, #15, and #16 for 2 reasons.
The first is those holes usually play a short by 3-4yds, and any kind of wind, along with deviations can cause havoc.
I once hit a perfect 128yd club with a 5 tailwind only to land at 115yds on Kiawah #16. By hitting the punch shot ther I can be sure it will get there.
The punch shot does take more practice, and a gentle touch, so I will not go into much more detail. You will have to try it out, first by getting yourself out of trouble, then by experimenting with it in different situations. There are some shots where punch will easily save you par where ANY other shots will result in a bogey or worse!
The flop shot:
This has changed the most of all 3 shots. The key as always is to know the speed and slope of the green. For example, If you're in the bunker on Bethpage # 4, you have about 18yds to the hole. My flop is 15yds, but if I hit it full power, with full backspin, I will always land within 3ft of the hole. This is because it lands on a downhill slope. Flop is hard to aim, generaly rule is about 6-8 ft left of the hole but because flop is 75% air 25% run, wind highly influences it.
On the same #4 BP if you are left of the flag with about 25 yards left from the fairway, 4 types of wind on a fast grene will result in 4 different aim options and 4 different power settings. With 10mph tail wind, hitting as 21yards of power is enough, with 10 head wind, hitting with 24 yards of power is good. With 10mph right wind, aiming 2-3ft closer to the flag will do the trick. Since winds are rarely straight tail or head, practice will be required to adjust properly aim and power of the shot accordinly
Flop will probably be the lesser of the 3 shots you will hole out, but in some situations, because of it's flying tragectory, it will be the difference between par and bogey while utilizing any other shots.
Now the clubs :
You need to practice with them to understand the carry and roll. With the basic set you could count on a certain distance in the air and on the ground. The chip was always 25% air 75% roll, and the pitch was always 50% air 50%roll. The new clubs all seem to have their own distances so trial and error is the way there. Some clubs have the 50/50 split while others have a 75/25 split. Practice, again, will be the best thing.

The thing to remember is since the green speeds have increased, your short game must become more percise. Where 3ft long before was good, now it has become 10ft. I still recommend taking notes as to how each hole plays from each distance. Your notes, in combination with these tips, will have you rattling the flagsticks !
Lastly, there are VERY FEW places, where in my opinion any of the 3 shots can be used interchangibly (excluding punch). General rule is, always use same shot from same spot (that is, if you gotten close before). By far THE MOST IMPORTANT point of this guide, is to keep notes. If you do not keep notes about what you hit from what spot, how hard, and how far it was aimed as well as the result of the shot executed, then you will simply forget the shot you executed and will be frazzled the next time you get there.
Update 1/04/10

With the introduction of new clubs, balls , and green speeds, I thought the guide needed updating to reflect the lastest changes. The basics in the guide are still the same, there are just a few adjustments that need to be made.
I'll address the new balls first.
What is important here is extra distance and extra spin. Overall I think they make little difference on the chip/pitch/flop shots, but when combined with the new clubs and green speeds there is a noticeable change. Practice is the tip here. You just need to learn the new distances while applying the basic tips in the sections above.
The biggest difference, for chipping and pitching, are the green speeds. Adding in the slope and break of the green can mean the difference of being close before, and being 10ft past now.
The chip shot:
The same principle applies here. Know the lie percentage, the elevation change, and the right/left break of the green. The key here is the greens are faster, therefore the run will be further.
Lets look at that 13yd chip shot mentioned above. In the 40/50 rough a 40% power increase is needed. With a standard green speed this means 19yds is needed to go 13yds, on a flat surface. Now with a fast green speed, a power reduction is needed. I'd say reduce the power by 1yd on a fast green, and more on a very fast green.
The pitch shot:
The same principle applies again, but there is something to be added in. You must know where you are in relation to the hole. The best example of this is Kiawah #2. If you are 20yds long it will show the hole being 1ft up, but in reality once you are on the green, the hole is downhill 1ft. This type of misread will ruin your round. With this shot being from the fairway at 20 yds, with a flat surface you would want to hit about a 16yd pitch shot. Now when you factor in the green speed with a 1ft downhill green you're looking at a 14yd shot.
Another example would be the 40/50 rough pitch shot. Before it would have been a 27yd shot, now with faster greens and a downhill slope, you have a 25yd shot or less.

Lastly, there are VERY FEW places, where in my opinion any of the 3 shots can be used interchangibly (excluding punch). General rule is, always use same shot from same spot (that is, if you gotten close before).
By far THE MOST IMPORTANT point of this guide, is to keep notes. If you do not keep notes about what you hit from what spot, how hard, and how far it was aimed as well as the result of the shot executed, then you will simply forget the shot you executed and will be frazzled the next time you get there.

NOT TRYING TO FIND ALL OF THEM ( Is this WGT's oldest active player?)

PAGE 16 FULL VERSION

pdb1
20,790 Posts Thu, Oct 1 2020 3:18 PM

SaskGopher:
Thank you sir.

You're quite welcome sir . Well deserved .
DaTurk
15 Posts Tue, Oct 13 2020 8:59 AM

I like it!
pdb1
20,790 Posts Tue, Oct 13 2020 2:51 PM

DaTurk:
I like it!

And I like this. Lol . Having a little fun are you ?
October 13, 2020
- DaTurk replied to Is this WGT's oldest active player? in Announcements & News.
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #4 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #2 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #1 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
October 10, 2020
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #3 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #2 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #1 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #4 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
- DaTurk made an ea
- le on hole #2 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
October 09, 2020
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #4 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #3 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #2 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
- DaTurk made an eagle on hole #1 on PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS.
- Very cool . Very impressive .
11/16/2020 7:22 P.M.
In response to Henry and DFMG .
- ___________________
- If what people are saying is true and all of my posts have been deleted . Then no one will see this edit .
DuFussMcGoo:
You have 16 players that PREDATE the opening! Wow!
- Of the active players
- tigerwee
- and
- MikeNJ
- Are the only 2 active players ( per my criteria ) . That haven't received trophy's yet .
- But in gathering the almost 500 active players . I viewed nearly 5000 profiles . I saw over 3000 players with pre 2010 start dates . Easily 1000 from 2007 . All but the ones I list plus tigerwee and MikeNJ are inactive .
- Over 100 " TRAILBLAZERS " have 2007 start dates
phipster
1,759 Posts Mon, Oct 19 2020 3:03 PM

Another couple of players who have been on WGT a long time pdb1...
https://www.wgt.com/players/vpc1sgt/default.aspx
https://www.wgt.com/players/tholomew/default.aspx

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club U5850577_20201010_084151.jpg?0.134

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club CAN.gif?0.134

HenryKawa
1,301 Posts

Mon, Nov 16 2020 2:35 PM

I did some research on this a few years ago. I didn't update the active vs. non-active for the complete list. I limited my search on anyone who signed up before April 1, 2008. I just found that after that date, there were HUNDREDS of sign-ups. Before April 1, 2008, I could only find 44. Here they are. If I missed anyone, let me know. Thanks.

	First WGT Members
1	Cuber	May 24, 2007	Left 2017
2	bonz	May 2007	Still Active
3	Srellim234	June 9, 2007	Pops in and out
4	Thunderbird	June 2007	Still Active
5	Jdoggbowler	June 2007	left years ago
6	LBCGolf	June 2007	Left 2009
7	Tigerwee	June 2007	Still Active
8	Fuzzygazz	June 2007	Still Active
9	Theo	June 2007	Left 2015
10	Irishking1916	June 2007	Still Active
11	Putter2eyes	June 2007	Still Active?
12	2DWN	June 2007	Still Active
13	Jayew	Aug 2007
13	dschom5	Sept 2007
14	Spozz1	Oct 2007
15	MikenJ	Nov 2007
16	Pauls	Dec 2007	Still Active
17	Vabighack	Jan 22, 2008	Still Active
18	Kennyperry	Jan 18, 2008	Still Active
19	Tibbets	Jan 2008
20	Sooner7	Jan 2008
21	Badaboom	Jan 2008
22	Blackwood	Jan 2008
23	Scottswgt	Jan 2008
24	Vardon	Jan 2008
25	Mike_Misza	Jan 2008
26	Marioh	Jan 2008
27	BobLarsen	Jan 2008
28	Yuconn	Jan 2008
29	Kmanfromga	Jan 2008
30	Monzard	Jan 2008
31	Xdrox	Jan 2008
32	Tonyturbo78	Jan 2008
33	Colflanders	Jan 2008
34	Hawkeye9	Jan 2008
35	Iowankid	Jan 2008
36	Diego902	Jan 2008
37	Zippy-pivot	Jan 2008
38	Claremoreblue	Jan 2008
39	Bulfrog2004	Jan 2008
40	Portsd	Feb 2008
41	TooLinit	Feb 2008
42	Daturk	March 2008
43	Fatdan	March 2008
44	Caddie74	March 2008

Kenher01
996 Posts Mon, Nov 16 2020 2:50 PM

Missed one,
Travis June 2007
default.aspx
giraldin
3,458 Posts Mon, Nov 16 2020 3:01 PM

TECHI13
DuFussMcGoo
2,488 Posts Mon, Nov 16 2020 3:13 PM

Back in 2007, WGT was just a demo site! Didn't really have official opening until October 2008.
You have 16 players that PREDATE the opening! Wow!
I see Tigerwee is still active but I can't find Bonzz as active.
SUPER DISCOVERY JOB!
HenryKawa
1,301 Posts Mon, Nov 16 2020 5:26 PM

Kenher01:
Missed one,
Travis June 2007
default.aspx

Yes, I did miss Thunderbird. And he is still very much active. I added him to the list above and to my official Spreadsheet. Thank you for that input.
As for Travis, yes there was a Travis from June 2007 but I'm not sure he even played a single game. There is no evidence that he did anything other than signing up. But I will ad him to the list. Thank you.
Cotton949
376 Posts Tue, Nov 17 2020 7:11 AM

Amazing work!

CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR INTRODUCTION TO THE OTHERS

What’s up everyone!

First off thanks for the acceptance as I am very new to the game. Been a member for about 3 weeks now and still grinding and learning.

The name is Patrick, I’m a Marine Veteran from NC and I’m a full time Caddie at Pinehurst. Yes I Caddie all 9 course, well 8 while they remodel #4. Absolutely love it. I play a lot in real life as well, I am a 6 handicap so if anyone’s in the NC region I’d love to link up and get a round in.

I am engaged and have one son who is 4 years old. We play golf a lot together but right now gymnastics runs his life haha. Good for his balance right? Haha.

Hope to learn a lot from the members and club, this games tough. Courses play a lot harder than they do in real life haha.

Semper Fi!

WGT National Enquirer - Top 10 Toy List Fri, Dec 13 2013 4:02 PM

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club N4xwjt

With the biggest shopping day of the year just around the corner, the WGT National Enquirer staff has scoured the local toy stores to make it easier to shop for your WGT addicted loved ones. After days and weeks of hair pulling and heart wrenching decision making, here are the top 10 WGT-related toys to gift.

#10 Mr. Potato Head - WGT Edition

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club 2nkmf86

Our own loveable WGTIcon comes to life as Mr. Potato Head in this special WGT edition of a classic for all ages!!

#9 Red Rider BolloxinBruges BB Gun

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club 258zfpd

One of the all-time greatest young boy's Christmas gifts is a Red Ryder BB gun! The new BolloxinBruges Special edition will teach your youngster to be a straight shooter just like Bollie!

#8 Dr. Jedi's Medical Kit

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club Evc3ec

The perfect role model for your children, Dr. Jedi has helped thousands with their problems on wgt.com. What better way to teach your kids how to give a shot?

#7 Tickle Me Esssy

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This WGT Special Edition features lots of lols lol, Tickle his ribs and he'll say the most amazing things only he can understand! lol

#6 MrWGT's Monopoly

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club Vg30h5

Be an entrepreneur like MrWGT! Play the new (coming soon) Monopoly Challenge on wgt.com using your credits not Monopoly money. Of course, WGT gets a 20% rake on all credit transactions.

#5 YANCYCAN'S WHAC-A-MOLE!

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club 141lg1x

Bop them moles!! Help our good friend and fellow WGTer Yancy clear those pesky moles out of his Par 2 & 1/2 golf course with this WGT Special Edition Whac-A-Mole game!

#4 LizzieRossetti's Silly Putting Ball

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club 15yer03

Great stocking stuffers!! If you've seen Lizzie putt you know how hysterical it can be (it isn't her fault)! Now you can "Putt Like Lizzie" with this goofy ball made from the amazing world renown substance known to everyone as Silly Putty.

#3 Gift Certificates to WGT's New Driving Range

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club 214uvdd

Gift certificates for a bucket of balls at the new WGT Driving range (coming soon in December, 2018!) are a welcome gift for any WGTer! Watch them practice hitting balls into Lake Tibbets and hear the squeals of laughter that it wasn't their own Callaway. (Add the YankeeJim blindfold from the WGT pro shop and they can learn how to hit by feel!)

#2 Plush Toy renniw52

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club 30rtgsl

We've all played with Ren on wgt.com, now we can play with him at home! This 8" tall squirrel plush toy is handcrafted by artisans and has amazing attention to detail. Nuts are included.

And the Number One WGT National Enquirer recommended gift is!!

#1 WGT Transformers - Legend to Master

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Our most popular game. Use your Legend skills from the Master tees in WGT.com challenge and ready go competitions and amass millions in credits. Up to 10 accounts are available. Also available in Legend to Pro and Legend to Tour Pro.

Happy shopping everyone!

CLICK HERE AND CLICK THE LAST PAGE . TO POST YOUR BLITZ SCORES

Week #4 + Updated Season Standings

Beren won the week and Rob won the Mystery Score. Well done guys :D

Both win 50 Cr. their bank!

I will be posting everyone's bank balance at the end of every season, but feel free to PM me if you need to know your balance.

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club Season11

Topics tagged under 4 on Valley of the Sun Casual Club Season12

JC SNEED SAYS PUTTING BY NUMBERS UPDATE

Updates in bold below

I 've read a lot of these tutorials and watched some of the videos attached to them and I have to shake my head and wonder how these people make putts with any consistency.

They miss the ding (and badly) most of the time.

Their methods of aiming are as much witchcraft as anything else (aim from the tip of your avatar's nose - align to the heel on your left foot - switch to chipping mode and aim using the chipping grid, although the chipping grid doesn't tell you anything more than the putting grid).

They fail to tell you how to adjust ball/swing speed.

They fail to tell you how to accurately account for the differing speeds of breaks or how elevation changes affect speed.

They fail to accurately describe how they arrived at their magical method.

Most of the videos show them dropping 30 footers that result more from luck than any method (if you can find any meJust like putting in real life, putting is this game is not a hard thing if you follow a set routine using the same method everytime and making the tiny adjustments the daily conditions of the course dictate you make. For instance, some days the results for the formula for putting speed presented below needs to be adjusted slightly, JUST SLIGHTLY, by adding to or subtracting one foot or less from it to nail the right speed. Take a couple of practice holes and figure out whether you need to add a foot or take away a half-foot. But trusting in the method is the key.

The Method:

   1. Calculate the speed
2. Adjust that calculation based on daily conditions (add or take away).
3A. Read the break.
3B. Adjust the aiming point based on the distance to the hole and speed of the break determined by the dots moving horizontally on the Putting Grid, not the Chipping Grid. If you need to use the Chipping Grid to read multiple breaks because you're so far away from the hole to read the Putting Grid accurately, then you should chip the ball instead of putting it.

    4. Make your swing and hit the ding.


If you have done the 4 steps above each and every time you putt, you'll be amazed how accurate your putting will improve. There is no Magic to it. Only numbers. Just have faith in the numbers presented to you by the game (but don't completely trust them - See #4 below "Catching the Game Messing With You"), make the necessary adjustments to them using the formulae provided below and watch your average drop

Now, go ahead a take your time and read the details of this method below and put them into practice. They will only help you.

1. Make your own Putter Pal and use it to set up your swing stren

If you aren't a Country Club member, or if you are a member of a Country Club that hasn't earned a Putter/Swing Pal, or you are too cheap to waste credits buying a Putter/Swing Pal and would rather spend your credits on those sweet, accurate MAX Slow Meter Balls (600 credits per sleeve), then take out a ruler and measure the length of the swing meter on your monitor when you have the putter chosen as your club. The swing meter varies its location on your monitor for clubs other than the putter, but not by much. Still, you want to set up your own "putter pal" calibrated to the putter rather than calibrated to the other clubs. You can always offset your swing strength the slight difference needed for the other clubs once you've used your new homemade putter pal a little bit and see the difference between where 80% is for, say, your driver, and 80% for your putter is on your monitor. You'll see what I mean after you've followed these instructions. If your monitor doesn't show any difference in location or length between the swing meter for the putter and the swing meter for the other clubs, Bully for you!)

Once you know the exact length of your putter swing meter, draw your own swing meter on a piece of paper. Using your ruler, set a mark at the middle of your new meter and label below it "50%". Now, divide each half of the meter in half again, set a mark at each and label these (25% and 75%). Keep splitting these sections of your meter in half and marking them accordingly until you have a meter that will be helpful to you when setting your swing speeds. If you can do the math and choose to make your meter like mine, set up 5% and 10% markings from 0 thru 100%. (It's more accurate using a 5% and 10% meter). After you have your new meter drawn and labeled, carefully cut it out and place it on your monitor just below the actual putter swing meter and tape it into place using cellophane tape. You now have a pretty accurate putter pal and it didn't cost you any credits and it will never expire.

2. Calculating the Required Putting Speed: NO CHANGES TO THESE NUMBRS IN THIS UPDATE KEEP USING THIS FORMULA

This Putting Speed calculation was provided by a player named Lornar long ago, so I take no credit for it. Lornar, whoever and wherever you, God bless you, my son/daughter. But it is still accurate.

To calculate the speed (amount of power you need to set on your swing meter) of a putt use the following formula:

Putting Speed = Distance to Hole + (Distance to Hole * Green Speed Factor) + or – Elevation Change

Distance to Hole is in feet. Elevation Change is in inches. (So watch out for those elevation changes that show up in feet on the greens! Convert them into inches before calculating.)

Green Speed Factors are:

+0.1 for Slow,
0 for Standard,
0.1 for Fast,
- 0.15 for Very Fast,
0.2 for Tournament and
- 0.3 for Championship.

So for a putt 14 feet from the hole on a Tournament speed green with an elevation change of up 2 inches, the putting speed needs to be:

14 + ((14*(-.2) + 2) = 13.2.

Therefore, using a putting meter for 25 feet you need to use a little bit more than 50% power on your swing meter to putt for a 13.2 foot distance. (The more divisions you can mark on your homemade putter pal, the better your accuracy will be in setting swing speed. And not just for your putter, but for all your clubs.)

This works well for me on greens of all speeds. I usually add an extra 1/2 foot to a one foot for short putts to avoid the "never up, never in" issue.

Also, I take about 5% to 10% off the calculated speed on tournament/championship greens for putts over 25 feet. These tend to keep rolling beyond the hole if you strictly follow the above formula. In those cases, the formula is just a starting point, then subtract the 5 to 10% off the putt the farther away you are. A little practice will give the feel for it that you nee

I have this formula calculated on an Excel spreadsheet for each green type, from 1 foot up to 400 feet, that I leave running in the background so I can calculate the speed (swing meter setting) quickly for each putt. All I have to do is enter the elevation change into the required distance.

3. Reading the Breaks: HEART OF THE UPDATE.

The dots on the grid give it away.

To make it clearer for everyone, I've revised my description below on how to read the breaks.

For each p

Reverse the view to behind the hole looking back at your player avatar. Notice where the closest to the hole dot on the closest to the hole horizontal grid line begins moving. It's always at the center point of the grid closest (left or right) to the hole on the horizontal gridline running through the hole, right? This dot location is equal to 10 feet of putting length for average speed breaks. Or, you could also say the center point between the first vertical gridline and the hole running along the horizontal gridline closest to the hole or through the hole is equal to 10 feet of putting length for average speed breaks. The first VERTICAL grid line away from the hole equals 15 feet putting length for average speed breaks. So, the center of the next grid over is equal to 20 feet of putting length for average speed breaks. And, the center of the next grid over is equal to 30 feet of putting length for average speed breaks. Etc...

If you have a 22 foot putt with average speed break, you would move your aiming point on the horizontal gridline running through the hole (or on an imaginary horizontal gridline running through the hole, if there isn't a horizontal gridline running through the hole) to the middle of the second grid away from the hole (20 feet), then move it a little bit further away from the hole (22 feet). Since the center of the grid is 20 feet, then the next VERTICAL grid line away from the hole equals 25 feet, so the distance for a 22 foot putt would be just less than halfway between the 20 foot spot and the second VERTICAL grid line (=25 feet putting of length for average speed breaks) away from the hole.

For a 33 foot putt with average speed break, go the third grid away from the hole aim a little closer to the third VERTICAL grid line (=35 feet of putting length for average speed breaks) away from the

Knowing this, now you simply move your aiming triangle on the same horizontal plane as the hole (on an imaginary HORIZONTAL grid line that runs through the center of the hole, if there isn't a horizontal gridline running through the hole) to the number of feet your putt needs to travel to go in (the putting length the game says, not the adjusted putting speed you calculated using the putting speed formula detailed above).

Some breaks are slower and some are faster. A little trial and error and practice will fix this. Some slower breaks are only 1/2 the speed of average speed breaks, so you cut your putting length in half (the putting length the game says, not the adjusted length you calculated using the above putting speed formula) and use it as the target to aim at. So, using the first example above, if you have a 22 foot putt with 1/2 the average speed break, you would move your aiming point to the middle of the first grid away from the hole (10 feet), the move it a little bit further away from the hole (11 feet). Then putt using the speed you calculated using the putting speed formula above. Sometime it's only 1/4 the average speed break, so you would aim 5 to 6 feet away for that 22 foot putt. Get it?

For faster breaks, guess what? Yeah, you double the distance and move your aiming point to that amount.

Or sometimes it's a fraction:

For some fast breaks instead of doubling the distance, sometimes it's 1.5 or 1.25 or 1.75 times the distance, even triple or quadruple in rare cases.

You have to watch the speed of the dots and get a feel for what average speed looks like, what double speed looks like, what 1/2 speed looks like, etc...

Does this work 100% of the time? I honestly don't know. It hasn't failed me yet. You will be amazed how accurate it really is, though. it works well enough to improve your putting game to get you to start getting a feel for putting, drop some lllloooooonnnggg rainbows, and start cutting back on the dreaded 3 putt. For the 100 plus foot snakes, you're on your own.

4. Catching the Game Messing With You:

Sometimes, the game will try to mess with you by not accurately telling you the exact distance and elevation change. To avoid this, always reverse the view to behind the hole looking at your player avatar, and move the aiming triangle in a circle around the hole about one foot away from the hole. You will notice, more often than not, what the game said was a 12 ft. putt with -2 inch elevation change was actually a 12.8 ft putt with -2.9 inch elevation change. That slight difference is enough to throw your putt off a 1/2 foot left or right or leave you short by inches. So ALWAYS move that aiming triangle around the hole to make sure the game isn't messing with you.

Also, if you end up on the fringe 8 feet from the hole, the game automatically sets your putter to the 100 foot putter meter. So ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS make sure you have the correct length putter meter you will need to be successful. This is also true for putts that are in the transition lengths between meters. e.g. game says 28 foot putt, but calculated to the putting speed formula offered above it is only a 19.5 foot putting speed. The game will automatically set your putter to the 50 foot putter meter, so be careful and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS check that club meter length to ensure you have the right distance meter. Otherwise your putts will rocket off into the bunkers or worse because the % for 19.5 feet on a 25 foot putter meter is 39 feet on the 50 foot putter meter. And finally, add one foot to your calculated putting speed to clear the fringe.

Like anything else, practice make

So, that's all I've got for now. I hope this helps you. I know it's made a big difference for myself.

Keep it in the short stuff!

VERY GOOD PUTTING TIPS

.

JCSneed
42 Posts 11-07-2014 4:31 PM

Updates in bold below
I've read a lot of these tutorials and watched some of the videos attached to them and I have to shake my head and wonder how these people make putts with any consistency.
They miss the ding (and badly) most of the time.
Their methods of aiming are as much witchcraft as anything else (aim from the tip of your avatar's nose - align to the heel on your left foot - switch to chipping mode and aim using the chipping grid, although the chipping grid doesn't tell you anything more than the putting grid).
They fail to tell you how to adjust ball/swing speed.
They fail to tell you how to accurately account for the differing speeds of breaks or how elevation changes affect speed.
They fail to accurately describe how they arrived at their magical method.
Most of the videos show them dropping 30 footers that result more from luck than any method (if you can find any method).
Just like putting in real life, putting is this game is not a hard thing if you follow a set routine using the same method everytime and making the tiny adjustments the daily conditions of the course dictate you make. For instance, some days the results for the formula for putting speed presented below needs to be adjusted slightly, JUST SLIGHTLY, by adding to or subtracting one foot or less from it to nail the right speed. Take a couple of practice holes and figure out whether you need to add a foot or take away a half-foot. But trusting in the method is the key.
The Method:
1. Calculate the speed
2. Adjust that calculation based on daily conditions (add or take away).
3A. Read the break.
3B. Adjust the aiming point based on the distance to the hole and speed of the break determined by the dots moving horizontally on the Putting Grid, not the Chipping Grid. If you need to use the Chipping Grid to read multiple breaks because you're so far away from the hole to read the Putting Grid accurately, then you should chip the ball instead of putting it.
4. Make your swing and hit the ding.
If you have done the 4 steps above each and every time you putt, you'll be amazed how accurate your putting will improve. There is no Magic to it. Only numbers. Just have faith in the numbers presented to you by the game (but don't completely trust them - See #4 below "Catching the Game Messing With You"), make the necessary adjustments to them using the formulae provided below and watch your average drop.
Now, go ahead a take your time and read the details of this method below and put them into practice. They will only help you.

1. Make your own Putter Pal and use it to set up your swing strength for your clubs:
If you aren't a Country Club member, or if you are a member of a Country Club that hasn't earned a Putter/Swing Pal, or you are too cheap to waste credits buying a Putter/Swing Pal and would rather spend your credits on those sweet, accurate MAX Slow Meter Balls (600 credits per sleeve), then take out a ruler and measure the length of the swing meter on your monitor when you have the putter chosen as your club. The swing meter varies its location on your monitor for clubs other than the putter, but not by much. Still, you want to set up your own "putter pal" calibrated to the putter rather than calibrated to the other clubs. You can always offset your swing strength the slight difference needed for the other clubs once you've used your new homemade putter pal a little bit and see the difference between where 80% is for, say, your driver, and 80% for your putter is on your monitor. You'll see what I mean after you've followed these instructions. If your monitor doesn't show any difference in location or length between the swing meter for the putter and the swing meter for the other clubs, Bully for you!)
Once you know the exact length of your putter swing meter, draw your own swing meter on a piece of paper. Using your ruler, set a mark at the middle of your new meter and label below it "50%". Now, divide each half of the meter in half again, set a mark at each and label these (25% and 75%). Keep splitting these sections of your meter in half and marking them accordingly until you have a meter that will be helpful to you when setting your swing speeds. If you can do the math and choose to make your meter like mine, set up 5% and 10% markings from 0 thru 100%. (It's more accurate using a 5% and 10% meter). After you have your new meter drawn and labeled, carefully cut it out and place it on your monitor just below the actual putter swing meter and tape it into place using cellophane tape. You now have a pretty accurate putter pal and it didn't cost you any credits and it will never expire.

2. Calculating the Required Putting Speed: NO CHANGES TO THESE NUMBRS IN THIS UPDATE KEEP USING THIS FORMULA
This Putting Speed calculation was provided by a player named Lornar long ago, so I take no credit for it. Lornar, whoever and wherever you, God bless you, my son/daughter. But it is still accurate.

To calculate the speed (amount of power you need to set on your swing meter) of a putt use the following formula:
Putting Speed = Distance to Hole + (Distance to Hole * Green Speed Factor) + or – Elevation Change
Distance to Hole is in feet. Elevation Change is in inches. (So watch out for those elevation changes that show up in feet on the greens! Convert them into inches before calculating.)
Green Speed Factors are:

+0.1 for Slow,
0 for Standard,
-0.1 for Fast,
-0.15 for Very Fast,
-0.2 for Tournament and
-0.3 for Championship.
So for a putt 14 feet from the hole on a Tournament speed green with an elevation change of up 2 inches, the putting speed needs to be:
14 + ((14*(-.2) + 2) = 13.2.
Therefore, using a putting meter for 25 feet you need to use a little bit more than 50% power on your swing meter to putt for a 13.2 foot distance. (The more divisions you can mark on your homemade putter pal, the better your accuracy will be in setting swing speed. And not just for your putter, but for all your clubs.)
This works well for me on greens of all speeds. I usually add an extra 1/2 foot to a one foot for short putts to avoid the "never up, never in" issue.
Also, I take about 5% to 10% off the calculated speed on tournament/championship greens for putts over 25 feet. These tend to keep rolling beyond the hole if you strictly follow the above formula. In those cases, the formula is just a starting point, then subtract the 5 to 10% off the putt the farther away you are. A little practice will give the feel for it that you need.
I have this formula calculated on an Excel spreadsheet for each green type, from 1 foot up to 400 feet, that I leave running in the background so I can calculate the speed (swing meter setting) quickly for each putt. All I have to do is enter the elevation change into the required distance.

3. Reading the Breaks: HEART OF THE UPDATE.
The dots on the grid give it away.
To make it clearer for everyone, I've revised my description below on how to read the breaks.
For each putt -

Reverse the view to behind the hole looking back at your player avatar. Notice where the closest to the hole dot on the closest to the hole horizontal grid line begins moving. It's always at the center point of the grid closest (left or right) to the hole on the horizontal gridline running through the hole, right? This dot location is equal to 10 feet of putting length for average speed breaks. Or, you could also say the center point between the first vertical gridline and the hole running along the horizontal gridline closest to the hole or through the hole is equal to 10 feet of putting length for average speed breaks. The first VERTICAL grid line away from the hole equals 15 feet putting length for average speed breaks. So, the center of the next grid over is equal to 20 feet of putting length for average speed breaks. And, the center of the next grid over is equal to 30 feet of putting length for average speed breaks. Etc...
If you have a 22 foot putt with average speed break, you would move your aiming point on the horizontal gridline running through the hole (or on an imaginary horizontal gridline running through the hole, if there isn't a horizontal gridline running through the hole) to the middle of the second grid away from the hole (20 feet), then move it a little bit further away from the hole (22 feet). Since the center of the grid is 20 feet, then the next VERTICAL grid line away from the hole equals 25 feet, so the distance for a 22 foot putt would be just less than halfway between the 20 foot spot and the second VERTICAL grid line (=25 feet putting of length for average speed breaks) away from the hole.
For a 33 foot putt with average speed break, go the third grid away from the hole aim a little closer to the third VERTICAL grid line (=35 feet of putting length for average speed breaks) away from the hole.
Knowing this, now you simply move your aiming triangle on the same horizontal plane as the hole (on an imaginary HORIZONTAL grid line that runs through the center of the hole, if there isn't a horizontal gridline running through the hole) to the number of feet your putt needs to travel to go in (the putting length the game says, not the adjusted putting speed you calculated using the putting speed formula detailed above).
Some breaks are slower and some are faster. A little trial and error and practice will fix this. Some slower breaks are only 1/2 the speed of average speed breaks, so you cut your putting length in half (the putting length the game says, not the adjusted length you calculated using the above putting speed formula) and use it as the target to aim at. So, using the first example above, if you have a 22 foot putt with 1/2 the average speed break, you would move your aiming point to the middle of the first grid away from the hole (10 feet), the move it a little bit further away from the hole (11 feet). Then putt using the speed you calculated using the putting speed formula above. Sometime it's only 1/4 the average speed break, so you would aim 5 to 6 feet away for that 22 foot putt. Get it?
For faster breaks, guess what? Yeah, you double the distance and move your aiming point to that amount.
Or sometimes it's a fraction:
For some fast breaks instead of doubling the distance, sometimes it's 1.5 or 1.25 or 1.75 times the distance, even triple or quadruple in rare cases.
You have to watch the speed of the dots and get a feel for what average speed looks like, what double speed looks like, what 1/2 speed looks like, etc...

Does this work 100% of the time? I honestly don't know. It hasn't failed me yet. You will be amazed how accurate it really is, though. it works well enough to improve your putting game to get you to start getting a feel for putting, drop some lllloooooonnnggg rainbows, and start cutting back on the dreaded 3 putt. For the 100 plus foot snakes, you're on your own.

4. Catching the Game Messing With You:
Sometimes, the game will try to mess with you by not accurately telling you the exact distance and elevation change. To avoid this, always reverse the view to behind the hole looking at your player avatar, and move the aiming triangle in a circle around the hole about one foot away from the hole. You will notice, more often than not, what the game said was a 12 ft. putt with -2 inch elevation change was actually a 12.8 ft putt with -2.9 inch elevation change. That slight difference is enough to throw your putt off a 1/2 foot left or right or leave you short by inches. So ALWAYS move that aiming triangle around the hole to make sure the game isn't messing with you.
Also, if you end up on the fringe 8 feet from the hole, the game automatically sets your putter to the 100 foot putter meter. So ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS make sure you have the correct length putter meter you will need to be successful. This is also true for putts that are in the transition lengths between meters. e.g. game says 28 foot putt, but calculated to the putting speed formula offered above it is only a 19.5 foot putting speed. The game will automatically set your putter to the 50 foot putter meter, so be careful and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS check that club meter length to ensure you have the right distance meter. Otherwise your putts will rocket off into the bunkers or worse because the % for 19.5 feet on a 25 foot putter meter is 39 feet on the 50 foot putter meter. And finally, add one foot to your calculated putting speed to clear the fringe.

5. Practice:
Like anything else, practice makes perfect.

So, that's all I've got for now. I hope this helps you. I know it's made a big difference for myself.
Keep it in the short stuff!

TIME MAGAZINE ......

This is Time Magazines top ten list of nude Mag covers
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Japan	Cat Day	Japan celebrates its feline friends.	February 22
Thailand	National Elephant Day	The native elephants of this region are celebrated on this day.	March 13
Latvia	Zirgu Diena	Latvia celebrates Horses on this day.	January 17
Italy	Hedgehog Day	Similar to Groundhog Day, Italy has its own Hedgehog Day.	February 2
Poland	Day of help to forest animals	The importance of forest animals and the impact of the changing environment is observed on this day.	February 11

France	Poisson d’Avril	The same as April Fools’ Day, but is known as ‘April Fish’ due to the popular prank of sticking a paper fish onto someone’s back.	April 1
Scotland	Huntigowk Day	In Scotland, to ‘hunt the gowk’ is to find a gullible person or a ‘cuckoo’, and prank them!	April 1
Scotland	Taily Day	In some parts of Scotland, the pranking lasts two days, with day two pranks being focused on the posterior.	April 2
Denmark	Maj-kat	An identical holiday to April Fools’ Day is celebrated a month later, with more practical jokes and gags.	May 1
Spain	Childermas	Although the holiday has grim origins, the holiday is now much celebrated like April Fools’ Day.	December 28

Latvia	Zirgu Diena	Latvia celebrates Horses on this day.	January 17
Italy	Hedgehog Day	Similar to Groundhog Day, Italy has its own Hedgehog Day.	February 2
Poland	Day of help to forest animals	The importance of forest animals and the impact of the changing environment is observed on this day.	February 11
Japan	Cat Day	Japan celebrates its feline friends.	February 22
Thailand	National Elephant Day	The native elephants of this region are celebrated on this day.	March 13

Sweden	Våffeldagen	A chance for the Swedish to celebrate their beloved waffles.	May 11
New Zealand	National Chocolate Fish Day	That sacred day when New Zealanders eat a chocolate fish. Yep, it's really a thing.	May 11
Turkmenistan	Melon Day	Melon Day is annually celebrated in Turkmenistan - known as the homeland of the best melons in the world.	Second Sunday in August
United Kingdom	National Burger Day	Great discounts and deals are offered on burgers across the UK.	August 27
Japan	National Gyoza Day	Japan’s favorite dish is celebrated on this day.	September 20

Russia	International Day of the Doctor	One of the oldest and revered professions in the world is celebrated in Russia.	First Monday of October
Canada	FND Awareness Day	A day for raising awareness of Functional Neurological Disorder.	April 13
South Africa	Pregnancy Awareness Week	This observance aims to strengthen pregnancy education and stress important issues that promote a healthy pregnancy and safe motherhood.	February 10–16
Vietnam	Doctors’ Day	Celebrating doctors and their valuable services.	February 27
India	National Deworming Day	The day aims at eradicating intestinal worms also known as Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH), among children in the age group of 1-19 years.	February 10

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