Innergize Day on the day after the Autumnal Equinox offers an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. This is a day for you!
Since fall has officially arrived, it’s time to shift gears. The fast pace of summer activities passes by now. Languid autumn days provide tranquil sunsets and peaceful moments. These are the times to focus on your personal well-being. Do things you enjoy that make you feel good about yourself. Let stress and worry fade away for the day.
The day is an excellent time to look inward. Whether you rejuvenate your spiritual connections or develop mindfulness, refocusing your energy can have huge benefits. After trying to cram every activity into a few short months, we sometimes lose focus. Fall allows us to take a deep breath and be more mindful of our bodies, spirits, and the world around us.
INNERGIZE DAY HISTORY
Michelle Porchia of Inner Dimensions created Innergize Day.
September 22 focuses on raising awareness and sharing education about all 50 states and their capitals on National States and Capitals Day.
As children, we learn about the 50 states and their capitals in the U.S. But as we get older, we tend to forget those important cities and their role in crafting policy and influencing the economy. And, while everybody knows their own state capital, many do not even remember the capital of the state next door. Today, let’s take the time to remind ourselves how important every state and capital is to our nation.
Learning about States and Capitals
Remember those paper maps we were given to learn about states and capitals? Our worksheet had blank states with star indicating where the capital was supposed to be. The agony of naming each state and capital was definitely stressful! We spent time memorizing names, where the state was and naming each capital. Not to mention spelling everything correctly. Some of us were lucky to have a teacher that would play a game to help us remember.
Typically, we learn about states and capitals between the grades 3-6, starting with the state we live in. From there, we learn our country has 50 states and 50 capitals within each state. All 50 capitals have a unique history, which means there are 50 reasons why a specific city or town was chosen to be a state capital. In addition, we eventually learn how governments operate and the vital roll each state plays in our national government.
Looking for an adventure? Take a road trip for your next vacation. Chances are you’ll find a lot more than 50 reasons to enjoy the scenery. Whether visiting family and friends or another specific spot, do some road tripping to some scenic vistas and appreciate the history, flavor and cultures along the way.
Are state capitals found in the largest cities of each states? No. The first state capitals were built according the where the majority of the population lived in a state, or near a main access hub. For example, in North Dakota the state capital is Bismarck, but was once the capital of the Dakota Territory. The Northern Pacific Railroad was built to transfer goods from eastern U.S. to the west, making Bismarck the prime location for state government. Bismarck became the official state capital only after the territory was split into 2 states–North and South Dakota.
Huh?
The letter Q is the only letter NOT found in any of the state names
Sweet Home, Alabama is a real place.
It’s illegal to bury people in San Francisco, California.
New Jersey has a volcano.
South Carolina has a place called Monkey Island, that has over 4,000 rhesus monkeys.
The state bird for Wisconsin is a plastic flamingo.
There are more chickens in Delaware than there are people.
The Empire State Building in New York has it’s own zip code.
State Capitals in Small Cities
Juneau, Alaska, population est. 32,300.
Dover, Delaware, population est. 39,400.
Frankfort, Kentucky, population est. 28,600.
Augusta, Maine, population est. 18,900.
Annapolis, Maryland, population est. 40,800.
Jefferson City, Missouri, population est. 43,230.
Helena, Montana, population est. 32,100.
Concord, New Hampshire, population est. 4,000.
Pierre, South Dakota, population est. 14,100.
Montpelier, Vermont, population est. 8,100.
BEHIND NATIONAL STATES AND CAPITALS DAY
Dick & Jane Educational Snacks receives credit for the idea to celebrate National States and Capitals Day on September 22. Not only does it raise awareness about the importance of knowing all 50 states and capitals, it reminds people to have fun while learning.
LEARN YOUR STATES AND CAPITALS
Divide learning about states into regions to learn each region before moving on to the next.
Check out a book from the library each week on a specific state to learn facts. Return the book and pick another state until all states have been covered.
Learn fun facts about states. What famous people are from there? What kind of tourist attractions might be fun to visit?
Fix a puzzle with all 50 states and capitals.
Draw a map of the United States with the states and fill in the capitals, too.
As the air turns crisp and leaves transition into vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, it’s the perfect time to snuggle up with a cozy blanket and immerse yourself in movies that capture the essence of fall. Our “Feelings of Fall” movie list brings you a delightful assortment of films that evoke the cozy and nostalgic atmosphere of the season. From heartwarming stories set against the backdrop of autumn landscapes to thrilling football games that celebrate the spirit of school pride, these movies offer a perfect escape into the world of fall festivities.
In addition to cozy scenes and football excitement, our selection includes school-themed movies that bring back memories of new beginnings, friendships, and the excitement of a new academic year. And with fall also being a significant time for elections, we’ve included films that delve into the political arena, capturing the drama, humor, and intensity of election campaigns. Whether you’re in the mood for a sentimental journey or a thrilling adventure, our curated list of fall-themed movies promises to bring warmth and joy to your autumn days.
On the Sunday following Labor Day, National Grandparents Day, honors the love only grandparents can provide.
Grandparents and their grandchildren share a special bond. These hugging, caring and patient people in the lives of children offer more than a generous dose of love. Grandparents provide an abundance of wisdom. They also offer guidance and stability.
When grandchildren need a story, grandparents tell the best. A grandparent’s wealth of family history and lore offers lessons of their own. Through humorous stories and some serious ones, grandparents gently point grandchildren in the right direction.
In 2004, the National Grandparents Day Council of Chula Vista, California announced a song for the day. A Song for Grandma and Grandpa by Johnny Prill became the official song of the United States National Grandparents Day holiday. The Council presented Prill with the National Songwriter’s Award for his song, too.
The forget-me-not is the official flower for National Grandparents Day.
As the number of grandparents grows from 65 million in 2011 to 80 million in 2020, expect the observance to increase in significance, too.
NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS DAY HISTORY
Celebrated in the United States since 1978, the United States Senate and President Jimmy Carter nationally recognized Marian McQuade of Oak Hill, West Virginia as the founder of National Grandparents Day. McQuade made it her goal to educate the youth in the community about the significant contributions that seniors have made throughout history. It was also her hope to have the youth “adopt” a grandparent, not just for one day or a year, but rather for a lifetime.
The Joint Resolution
In February of 1977, Senator Randolph along with the concurrence of other senators introduced a joint resolution to the Senate. The resolution requested the president to “issue annually a proclamation designating the first Sunday of September after Labor Day of each year as National Grandparents Day.” After Congress passed the resolution, on August 3, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation. The statute cites the day’s purpose: “…to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”
Other Claims
Others claim the origin of this holiday resides with the efforts of Hermine Beckett Hanna of North Syracuse, New York. She recognized seniors and their importance as early as 1961. New York Congressman James T. Walsh awarded her efforts on February 21, 1990, in front of the United States House of Representatives. He also thanked Hermine Beckett Hanna “for her important role in the establishment of Grandparents Day.”
While we have our grandparents in our lives, it is important to cherish them. Spend time with your grandparents. Learn about their life and ask questions to keep the stories coming. Do the things they enjoy doing. Sometimes, they only want to spend time with you.
How else can you celebrate the day?
Pick up the phone! Surprise your grandparents with a much-awaited phone conversation.
Take your grandparents on an adventure. Plan a day doing their favorite things – one of which is probably spending time with you.
Write a letter to your grandparents. Share with them the things you’ve been doing. They will read your letter over and over.
Learn something from a grandparent. Have you always wanted to know how to make Grandma’s pecan pie or catch a whopper from the river? Grandma or Grandpa will probably show you how. You only need to ask.
Help them out. Clean out a flower bed. Take out the trash. Mow the lawn. Paint a room. Fix the internet. Run an errand. The list goes on.
Take a photo. Sometimes we forget to capture moments with the people we love the most. Take a photo with your grandparent and make sure they get a copy.
Speaking of photos, spend some time looking through old photos with your grandparents. Ask them questions about the people in them and record the information.
Adopt a grandparent. As surprising as it may seem, there are some of our older generations who have no grandchildren. However, they still have love and wisdom to share.
If you no longer have living grandparents, share a fond memory of them. Remember something each of them taught you or one of the fun things you used to do. You can also write down your memories to share with future generations.
Use #NationalGrandparentsDay to post on social media.
Patriot Day on September 11th honors the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent victims who died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Each year Americans dedicate this day to remembering those who died and to the first responders who risked their own lives to save others.
We Remember
For many, September 11, 2001, began like any other weekday. We made our way to work. Children attended school. We shopped, had coffee, waited in line at a drive-thru. Those of us who weren’t in New York City heard the first reports on the radio or television. A friend or neighbor alerted us to a plane flying into one of the Twin Towers. We felt disbelief. An accident, perhaps, a miscalculation. Then, a second plane flew into the second tower. Our disbelief turned into uncertainty and concern.
I can clearly remember everything from that morning. As most of us know some memories are more clear than others, this is often because events like 9 – 11, Kennedy Assassination, Princess Diana’s death, are tied to strong emotions.
I can remember hearing about the first plane on the radio alarm. I stumbled into the livingroom telling my fiance to turn on the news. We watched in stunned disbelief as the second and third planes crashed. With everything in disarray we still had to go into work at the mall even if it was very short lived.
Upon returning home we were glued to the news as events continued to unfold. In our lifetimes there had not been an attack of this magnitude on American soil. I cannot say how many emotions we went through that day. Ours could never compare to the families and first responders directly involved.
As we step into yet another remembrance of this tragedy, I reflect on missing September 12th. On September 12, this country was unified like I have not seen in years. Especially in light of today’s climate in our country. The senseless bickering, blaming and destruction, are what did not exist on September 12. We were proud to be Americans. While our country is not perfect, we do not live with those events as a daily occurrence.
Those on the ground faced terror and obstacles they had never known. As a set of coordinated suicide attacks organized by the militant group Al Qaeda targeted the World Trade Center, the rest of the nation witnessed the unbelievable. And then a third plane crashed into The Pentagon. And yet another crashed into a field in Shanksville, PA.
As the recent turmoil in regard to Afghanistan persists, I sincerely hope we remember this tragedy was the catalyst that got us there.
Memorial
Every year since that fateful day, the United States comes together to remember the fallen. We remember the first responders and those who made difficult decisions. Since that day, memorials have risen from the ashes.
PATRIOT DAY HISTORY
HOW TO OBSERVE #PatriotDay #NeverForget
Attend Patriot Day ceremonies.
Observe moments of silence:
8:46 AM EDT – American Airlines Flight #11 collides into the World Trade Center
9:03 AM EDT – United Airlines Flight #175 collides into the World Trade Center South Tower
9:37 AM EDT – American Airlines Flight #77 crashes into the Pentagon
9:59 AM EDT – World Trade Center South Tower Collapses
10:03 AM EDT – United Airlines Flight #93 crashes in Shanksville, PA
10:28 AM EDT – World Trade Center North Tower Collapses
Volunteer – While remembering the day, help an organization with meaning to you. Improve the lives of others and the world around you. Spread kindness. Offer them hope. Share your skills with those who need them most.
Remember – Remember those killed in the attacks. Remember to stand united as a Nation. Join others in prayer vigils or memorial events.
September 13, 2001 – In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush proclaimed Friday, September 14, 2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001.
August 31, 2002 – President George W. Bush proclaimed Friday, September 6, through Sunday, September 8, 2002, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance.
September 4, 2002 – President Bush proclaimed September 11, 2002, as the first Patriot Day.
September 9, 2016 – President Barack Obama proclaimed September 11th as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.
In 2017 and 2018, President Donald Trump declared September 8–10 as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance and proclaimed September 11 as Patriot Day. “During the National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we pause to honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent people who were murdered by radical Islamist terrorists in the brutal attacks of September 11, 2001. We come together to pray for those whose lives were forever changed by the loss of a loved one. We strengthen our resolve to stand together as one Nation.”
One day I hope we will return to the ideals of September 12th. I come from a community who bands together to help each other in the wake of things like hurricanes. Soon I hope that spirit prevails to all situations.
This year while we morn the loss of September 11th, I implore those both in government and citizens to strive once again to return to a September 12th. For the good of our children, our nation and humanity.
The road there starts with each of us. We have to decide to strive for it. If not for the future of our country for our children and grandchildren. We must teach both our children and grandchildren what this future should be.
Use #PatriotDay or #NeverForget to post on social media and show your support.
