As kids head back to school, there’s no better time for them to discover the treasures awaiting them in the local library. September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month!
A library card can be a rite of passage for your child, giving them a sense of obligation and responsibility. As a library patron, children learn the importance of caring for things that belong to others. Children take the essential early step in their development when they obtain their library card and become a conscientious member of the community.
Visiting your local library also encourages your child to read. Reading helps brain development and provides a solid foundation of the language and literacy skills. Opening a book encourages children to travel to far away places and let their imagination sore. Develop reading as a hobby early and young for every child.
Libraries of the World
The world’s oldest running library is the St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai, Egypt. It was built in the mid-6th century C.E. And, the Vatican houses the most extensive collection of religious material in the world. When the Great Library of Alexandria burned down (circa 640 C.E.) among the great works believed to have been lost was the private collection of Aristotle.
The U.S. Library of Congress houses over 150 million items as the world’s largest library. This accomplishment takes up to 830 miles of shelves. In contrast, only one person at a time fits in the world’s smallest library on the streets of New York. The reader can choose from just 40 books.
National Astronaut Day on May 5th each year celebrates Astronauts as true heroes. The day’s mission is to inspire ALL to “reach for the stars” by sharing “out of this world” Astronaut stories and experiences.On May 5th, 1961, Astronaut Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. became the first American in space aboard the Freedom 7 Space capsule. The brief suborbital flight lasted 15 minutes and reached a height of 116 miles into the atmosphere. It was a milestone achievement and a trailblazing example of heroic bravery. This adventurous spirit is the essence of what National Astronaut Day is all about.
By sharing the incredible stories, experiences, and perspectives of actual Astronauts, the mission of National Astronaut Day inspires us ALL to follow our dreams. The day includes both future Astronauts and those who seek to keep their feet on the ground!
NATIONAL ASTRONAUT DAY HISTORY
uniphi space agency, a division of uniphi good LLC founded National Astronaut Day in 2016 to inspire everyone to reach for the stars!
Put on your space suit and practice your moonwalk. Are you ready for zero gravity? If not, just experience a little of the excitement of space. Learn about the history of space flight. Read about astronaut training or the biographies of astronauts. Some biographies to read include:
Also, watch a documentary or learn more about the International Space Station. While you are being inspired, be sure to invite someone to share the experience with you!
Visit the Official Website: www.NationalAstronautDay.comShare your favorite Astronaut stories. Use #WeBelieveInAstronauts & #NationalAstronautDay to post on social media.
Each year on April 8th, National Zoo Lovers Day encourages us to explore our local zoos. Each year millions of people visit zoos and learn about the many animals that live there. Also known as zoological parks, many of them serve as breeding centers. These facilities are relied upon when species are endangered or at risk of becoming endangered. They also provide education to the public about a broad variety of animals and their habitats.
Enjoy seeing your favorite animals swinging from the trees or splashing in the water and have a fun-filled day.
A few zoo facts:
The Vienna Zoo is the oldest existing zoo and was opened to the public in 1765.
The United State’s first zoo open to the public, Central Park Zoo, opened in 1864 in New York.
Philadelphia Zoo holds the oldest zoo charter, formed in 1859. It officially opened to the public in 1874.
There are 350 zoos in the United States
Approximately 175 million people visit a zoo each year.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has had more than 9.8 million annual visitors.
More than 3.2 million people visit the San Diego Zoo each year.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL ZOO LOVERS DAY
Visit your local zoo.
Make a donation to a zoo program.
Share your zoo experiences with others.
Take a virtual tour of a zoo. There are many different kinds of zoos. Take a virtual tour of this reptile zoo and learn about the reptiles that live there.
Use #NationalZooLoversDay to post on social media.
National Florida Day on January 25 recognizes the 27th state to join the United States.
The Sunshine State is home to the oldest established city in the country. With over 400 years of history, St. Augustine’s streets and colonial architecture have stories to tell. Founded by Spanish explorers in 1565, visit the city and walk in the same footsteps as 16th-century bishops, ponder the escapades of pirates and the whereabouts of lost gold and learn about the lives of European settlers.
East and West Florida became the 14th and 15th British Colonies after the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. However, in 1783, after the end of the American Revolutionary War, The Treaty of Paris returned Florida to Spain.
The present-day borders of Florida were absorbed through two transactions: The Louisianna Purchase in 1803 brought East Florida with it (but not without dispute from the French) and through a U.S. intervention in an uprising in West Florida in 1812 causing West Florida to join the Mississippi Territory.
With an average high temperature of 79.5°F, it should be no surprise that Floridian John Gorrie brought refrigeration and air conditioning to the world in 1851.
Add to that, more than half the year with partly cloudy to sunny days, the invention of sunblock would be a necessity, too. Hungary born pharmacist, Benjamin Green, invented a sunscreen in 1944 which later became a tanning lotion known as Coppertone.
Launching astronauts into space, Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard Country, is a fun and unique visit. While Disney, Universal, and others have rides, themes, and shows. This place makes both history and the future a tangible experience. We just happened to be there on a day they launched a new satellite!
Cape Canaveral and the home of the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County has come a long way from its first launch in 1950. From Appollo missions to Hubble Telescopes and Mars Rovers, Cape Canaveral continues missions well into the future. Missions include commercial ventures including SpaceX launches.
Florida offers more than enough to do and see. From man-made worlds and relaxing beaches to long, colorful and intricate history, the Sunshine State’s open spaces and sunny faces require more than one visit.
Official Florida
State Capital – Tallahassee State Nickname – The Sunshine State State Motto – In God We Trust State Song – Old Folks at Home State Bird – Mockingbird State Reptile – American Alligator State Flower – Orange Blossom State Wildflower – Coreopsis State Animal – Florida Panther State Fish – Largemouth bass State Beverage – Orange Juice State Stone – Agatized coral State Shell – Horse Conch State Tree – Sabal Palm State Song – Swanee River, Old Folks at Home State Gemstone – Moonstone State Butterfly – Zebra Longwing Butterfly
Florida is also home of the oldest noncontinuous settlement in America. The City of five flags know as Pensacola is actually older than St Augustine. The original settlement was wiped out by a hurricane. So St Augustine claims the oldest continuous city.
For a complete list of Florida State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.floridastateparks.org and www.nps.gov. Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below.
Cuban Sandwhich Conch Fritters Stone Crab Key Lime Pie Strawberry Shortcake Apalachicola Oysters Craft Beer Gator Bites Orange Juice Kumquats
HOW TO OBSERVE
Join a local as we dig into Florida’s sunny beaches and rich history. Seek buried treasures and explore all Florida’s fascinating culture! Look to the past or look to the future and use #NationalFloridaDay to share on social media.
January is National Hobby Month, the perfect time of year to pick up a new hobby, or get back into an old one that you haven’t thought about in a while! The great thing about having a hobby is that it can take your mind off the pressure of work or other daily stresses. Sit down and think about what you really love to do. What are you passionate about in life? What sparks your interest the most? What are you curious about? What are your goals? Finding a good hobby and giving yourself time to take part in it on a daily or weekly basis is sure to make you happier, and maybe even healthier.
“It can be coins or sports or politics or horses or music or faith… the saddest people I’ve ever met in life are the ones who don’t care deeply about anything at all. Passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary, because there’s nothing to make it last.” -Nicholas Sparks, Dear John
Use #NationalHobbyMonth to post on social media. Talk about a new hobby you’ve picked up or better yet, post a photo or video of you doing it to get others inspired to do the same! If you’re having trouble thinking of a hobby to get into, we’ve put together a list of some healthy activities for you to consider.
Get to the gym 5 days a week. Running on a treadmill, lifting weights, or taking workout classes are great hobbies to take up because they are sure to improve your quality of life, both physically and mentally.
Try gardening. It stimulates your mind, involves a little physical activity, and it’s rewarding. Research shows gardening can even help improve your mood almost instantly, can lower your risk of dementia, and relieves stress.
Start cooking at home more often. If you can learn to cook wholesome, nutritious meals for yourself and your family, you’ll save money and have a healthier lifestyle. Cooking can also be therapeutic in itself, and will allow you some alone time to create beautiful dishes!
Take up yoga. No matter your age, gender, or level of physical fitness, yoga will increase your strength and flexibility. It also gives people clarity, peace of mind, and is overall a big stress reliever for anybody.
If you have the time, money, and are willing to add a responsibility to your life… Buy a pet! Animals have been proven to improve mental health for many people. Research shows owning and bonding with a pet decreases the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Volunteer. Being a part of your community and lending a hand without getting paid in return has shown to incredibly improve mental health and give people a sense of fulfillment.
Give reading and/or writing a try. Picking up a good book, journaling, and blogging are all great ways to help clear your mind. They can temporarily take you to another place or time, allow you to express your thoughts freely, and even improve your vocabulary.
Finally… Travel! Take a week or two off work and go experience another culture. Whether you go on a tropical vacation and spend days on the beach, or head to the cold snowy mountains to hit the slopes, traveling helps to shift your perspective, and can even help you discover yourself.
…And if you’re really lucky, you can find what you love to do and turn it into your career. You know what they say. If you make your hobby your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
