Wed holidays
Yesterday and today Boulder celebrates holidays include National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, National Burrito Day, Children’s Picture Book Day, Autism Awareness Day, Walk to Work Day, and National Ferret Day.
History of Peanut Butter and Jelly: St. Louis World’s Fair 1904 World’s Fair to WWII Rations
The peanut butter and jelly (PB&J) sandwich, an iconic American delicacy, originated in the early 20th century. Peanut butter was introduced at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, but it wasn’t until the 1920s, when peanut butter became widely available, that the PB&J started to gain popularity. The sandwich became a staple during the Great Depression due to its affordability and nutritional value. Its popularity soared during World War II, as both peanut butter and jelly were part of U.S. soldiers’ rations. This convenient, tasty combination returned home with them, cementing the PB&J’s status as a beloved classic in American households.
National Children’s Picture Book Day, National Children’s Book Day
We are celebrating these holidays one day late today. National Children’s Book Day in the United States is celebrated on April 2nd each year, chosen to coincide with the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen, the famed Danish author of many classic fairy tales and children’s stories. Andersen, born on April 2, 1805, wrote such timeless stories as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and “The Princess and the Pea,” which have been translated into numerous languages and are beloved by children and adults around the world.
The celebration of National Children’s Book Day was established to honor Andersen’s legacy and to encourage the love of reading among children. It’s a day when schools, libraries, and families highlight the importance of children’s literature and encourage the joy of reading through various activities, storytelling sessions, and book-themed events. The day also serves as a reminder of the role that children’s books play in fostering imagination, curiosity, and a lifelong love of reading.
National Children’s Picture Book Day is a celebration aimed at encouraging the enjoyment and reading of picture books among children. While there isn’t a widely recognized single origin for this specific day, the celebration of picture books and children’s literature is a theme that many countries, libraries, schools, and literary organizations embrace through various events and dedicated days throughout the year.
One significant date in the world of children’s literature is International Children’s Book Day (ICBD), celebrated on April 2nd, the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen. Though ICBD focuses broadly on children’s books, picture books are a key component of this celebration, given their critical role in introducing young readers to the joys of reading and storytelling.
National Children’s Picture Book Day, like many themed days, likely emerged from the desire to specifically highlight picture books’ unique contribution to children’s literacy, creativity, and love of reading. Picture books, with their combination of text and illustrations, play a pivotal role in early childhood education, helping to develop vocabulary, comprehension, and narrative skills, as well as an appreciation for art.
Celebrations of picture books often involve storytelling sessions, author and illustrator talks, and activities that encourage interaction with and creation of picture books. While specific details about the founding and history of National Children’s Picture Book Day may not be well-documented, the day itself underscores the importance of picture books in fostering literacy and a lifelong love of reading from an early age.
National Ferret Day
National Ferret Day, celebrated on April 2nd, is dedicated to raising awareness about ferrets, promoting their care, and acknowledging their unique characteristics as pets. The history of National Ferret Day traces back to efforts by ferret enthusiasts and pet organizations aiming to highlight the needs, proper care, and legal status of ferrets in various regions.
Ferrets have been domesticated for thousands of years, initially used for hunting rabbits and rodents due to their slender, agile bodies. Over time, they have become popular pets, known for their playful and inquisitive nature. Despite their popularity, ferrets are still illegal or restricted in some areas due to concerns about their potential impact on native wildlife if released into the wild, and because of historical concerns about rabies.
The establishment of National Ferret Day is part of broader efforts by ferret owners, breeders, and advocates to educate the public about these animals, dispel myths, and encourage responsible ownership. It’s a day when ferret owners share information about ferret care, celebrate the joy these creatures bring, and sometimes engage in advocacy to change laws affecting ferret ownership.
The specific origins of National Ferret Day in terms of who founded it or the year it was first celebrated might not be well documented in widely available sources. However, the day reflects the growing community of ferret owners and the broader trend of recognizing and celebrating the variety of animals that enrich human lives as pets.
Lenny Lensworth Frieling
Shared Knowledge is Power!
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