NATIONAL COLLEGE COLORS DAY

On the Friday before Labor Day, National College Colors Day encourages everyone to display their team spirit. Across the United States students, parents, family, fans, and alumni will be wearing their team colors. Be sure you’re celebrating by wearing your college team’s colors and apparel.

Team spirit has long been a foundation of cheering athletes to victory. Wearing the colors of the school as well as singing the school song goes along with the energy of the day. Not only does it bring back memories, but it carries on traditions. Sometimes, these traditions run deep, too. 

Support your team and show your team spirit by wearing your college colors to the game or while watching it on TV. Rally the fans and show your team you know they will go for the win! Tailgating and pregame revelry are all part of the enjoyment of the season. Many alumni enjoy share memories of games from years past, especially the close ones, win or lose.

NATIONAL COLLEGE COLORS DAY HISTORY

The College Licensing Company founded College Colors Day in 2004.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CollegeColorsDay

Wear your college colors; share your stories. Tailgate or have a party at home before the big game. Take a tour of your alma mater. Use #CollegeColorsDay to post on social media and spread the word.

NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY

Observed annually on August 7th, National Lighthouse Day honors the beacon of light that for hundreds of years symbolized safety and security for ships and boats at sea. At one time, the beacon of light could be found across almost all of America’s shorelines.

A lighthouse is described as a tower, building or any other type of structure that is designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways. 

A lighthouse serves multiple purposes such as marking dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, and reefs providing safe entry to harbors. They also provide aerial guidance. Once lit by open fire and candles, they’re now brightly lit by electric or oil-fueled lamps. However, the number of lighthouses are declining. Maintenance is expensive and modern electrical navigation systems are replacing them. 

Lighthouse Facts
  • Their style may differ depending on the location and purpose but they have standard components.
  • The lantern room is a glassed-in housing at the top of a lighthouse tower
  • Beneath the lantern room is the Watch Room or Service Room 
  • Next to the Watch room is an open gallery.
  • Development accelerated in the 17th century with Britain’s Trinity House constructing its first in 1609.
  • In North America, St. Augustine, Florida built the first lighthouse. Printed on a 1791 map, it had been built by Menendez after his landing in 1586.
  • Boston Light built on little Brewster Island next in 1716.
  • The oldest existing lighthouse in the United States is the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in New Jersey. Built in 1764, this lighthouse is still in operation.
  • At the end of the 19th century, the United States had the most lighthouses of any nation.
  • The 9th Act of the first Congress created the US Bureau of Lighthouses in 1789, which placed lighthouses under federal control.
  • The United States Coast Guard took over on July 7, 1939.
  • Hobbyists enjoy visiting and photographing lighthouses. They also collect ceramic replicas.  

NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY HISTORY

On August 7, 1789, the United States Congress approved an act for the “establishment and support of Lighthouse, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers.”  It was two hundred years later that Congress designated August 7 as National Lighthouse Day.

Make sure you attend a tour of our Lighthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Not only is it a historical landmark, its been featured on National television as a haunted one. There seems to be a connection between the Lighthouse and their keepers that sometimes even death cannot sever. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as its a long climb to the you of the stairs.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalLighthouseDay

Tour lighthouses near you. Take a road trip. With lighthouses on every coast and the great lakes, one or more is surely worth the trip! As you celebrate, you can learn more about lighthouses, too. 

  • Read Lighthouses of North America: Beacons from Coast to Coast by Sylke Jackson.
  • Watch a documentary about lighthouses. Give A Day in the Life of a Lighthouse Keeper a view from National Geographic. Or perhaps, Behind The Light: Lighthouse Keepers will interest you.
  • Share your experiences visiting lighthouses including visits to lighthouse museums around the country. 

Share your photos of lighthouses and use #NationalLighthouseDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL COAST GUARD DAY

National Coast Guard Day on August 4th celebrates and honors the courageous work of the service members of Coast Guard. 

The United States Coast Guard is one of the five US Armed Forces. While this maritime service is a branch of the military, they are a multi-missioned service. During peacetime, it operates under the Department of Homeland Security. However, their responsibilities can be transferred to the US Navy by the President of the United States any time deemed necessary, or by Congress during war times.

Always ready, The United States Coast Guard’s official motto in Latin reads Semper Paratus.

Since 1790, the Coast Guard’s missions have changed. As the nation and the military services grew, maritime needs evolved. In 1917, the first Coast Guard aviators graduated from Pensacola Naval Aviation Training School. Today, aviation is a large part of the Coast Guard’s security, enforcement, and defense readiness.

Always ready to protect our shores and waterways, the Coast Guard provides more than search and rescue. They are a large part of the nation’s navigation system and Marine Environmental Protection.

When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of America, the US Coast Guard saved over 33,500 lives. Their maritime efforts rescued an estimated 24,000 lives from peril in severely dangerous conditions.

Since 1790, service members have been at the ready to provide support whatever the mission. Their commitment continues today. 

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NATIONAL COAST GUARD HISTORY

The United States Coast Guard traces its founding to an act of Congress on August 4, 1790.  The Coast Guard consisted of 10 vessels that carried out the enforcement of various trade and humanitarian duties.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCoastGuardDay

In America, thousands of events nationwide honor the Coast Guard. Get involved and show your support. Other ways to celebrate the day include:

  • Taking a tour of one of the many Coast Guard museums in the country.
  • Share stories of Coast Guard experiences.
  • Listen to the U.S. Coast Guard Band.
  • Watch movies featuring the Coast Guard. Find a complete list here.
  • Read about the Coast Guard in The Coast Guard by José Hanson and Tom Beard or So Others May Live: Coast Guard’s Rescue Swimmers: Saving Lives, Defying Death by Marth J. Laguardia-Kotite and Tome Ridge

Post on social media using #NationalCoastGuardDay.

NATIONAL MUSTARD DAY

National Mustard Day on the first Saturday in August recognizes a versatile condiment. Used in many different cuisines, mustard comes from the seeds of the mustard plant.

Depending on the kind of mustard, flavors and color will vary. For example, white or yellow mustard comes from a mustard known as Sinapis hirta. Brown or Indian mustard come from Brassica juncea. And black mustard comes from Brassica nigra. 

The mustard seed may be used whole, ground, cracked or bruised in cooking, too. When mixed with liquids such as water, lemon juice or broth, mustard produces different textures and flavors. At times, cooks use the paste as a sauce or even a marinade. Try mixing mustard with other seasonings to create a dry rub for roasts, chicken or chops.

Since some mustards are zestier than others, the spice pairs well with meats and cheeses. Pile up slices of ham, turkey, and Munster between your favorite crusty bread. Next, add some creamy mustard and fresh veggies. That’s how you build a sandwich with zing. The same can be done with salads, hamburgers and hot dogs, too. 

Once you’ve mastered the sandwich move on to dressings, glazes, and soups. Around the world, the spice is used in many forms beyond the seed. For example, in India, the entire plant is used from the sprouts to the mature greens. Expressing the oil of the seed is beneficial for both cooking and medicinal uses. Try a Mediterranean recipe by making creamy tahini or aioli and make your dishes sing. Similar recipes can be found in northern and southeastern Europe, too.

And don’t forget Asia, the Americas, and Africa. Because of mustard’s diversity, cooks reach for the spice and condiment more often than almost any other spice in the world. 

NATIONAL MUSTARD DAY HISTORY

The Mustard Museum began sponsoring National Mustard Day in 1991. In 2010, the event moved to the current home of the Museum in Downtown Middleton, Wisconsin. With more than 6,000 enthusiastic mustard lovers in attendance annually, this event has raised thousands of dollars for local charity.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NATIONALMUSTARDDAY

If you’re in Middleton, Wisconsin, head down to the Mustard Museum for a festive day of mustard sampling and events. Everywhere else, try tasting a variety of mustards at home or in a local spice store. Find one that makes your tongue happy and add it to your cooking. An even easier way to celebrate is by inviting friends over for a cookout of hot dogs and burgers. Top one off with your favorite kind of mustard and enjoy!

Experiment and try new recipes with mustard as the spotlight ingredient. Post photos on social media using #NationalMustardDay.