GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY

September 23, 2026August 7, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 32 Comments

Each year on the last Sunday in September, Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day honors the mothers, fathers and families of fallen military service members. Also known as National Gold Star Mother’s Day, the day serves as a reminder of the losses suffered by military families.

The price of freedom can be measured by those who have given their full measure of devotion, and the families left behind.  It is a debt that can never be fully repaid.

Since World War I, the observance has provided a way to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter who served our country in the United States Armed Forces.

A gold star symbolizes a family member who died in the line of duty while serving the United States Armed Forces.

Gold Star mothers and families know the immeasurable cost of fighting for the ideals we believe in, and they know the pride that comes with exemplary service to America.
~ President Barack Obama ~ September 23, 2011 ~ Presidential Proclamation

GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY HISTORY

On June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day and proclaimed annually by each president. In 2011, President Barack Obama amended the day to “Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.”

Organizations around the country honor Gold Star families through ceremonies, luncheons, and teas. They give back to their communities by remembering fallen service members. Service organizations provide opportunities to remember the fallen and their families. Their ceremonies take place at military memorial sights and veteran’s cemeteries. On the local, state and national levels, representatives speak of the importance of remembering our fallen sons and daughters while continuing to care for their families.

The history of National Gold Star Mother’s Day and their families begins with a young country thrown in the midst of a great war. Army Captian Robert L. Queissner, whose two sons were serving on the front line during World War I, created what is now called the Service Flag. The flag was displayed with a blue star to represent a child serving in the military during times of war or hostilities. When a service member died, families stitched a gold star over the blue star.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was incorporated in 1929 and obtained a federal charter from the United States Congress. It began in the Washington DC area and soon expanded to include affiliated groups throughout the United States.

Membership in any one organization is not required for gold star mothers to access benefits. Please visit military.com for more information.

Explore More…

Armed Forces Day
Memorial Day
Army Birthday
Navy Birthday
Air Force Birthday
Marine Corps Birthday
Navy Day
4th of July
Independence Day
Patriot Day
V J Day
National Guard Birthday
Armistice Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Military Spouce Appreciation Day
Maritime Day
Gold Star Mothers Day
Flag Day
POW/MIA Recognition Day
National Airborne Day
Loyalty Day
Remembrance Day
Wreaths Across America Day
National PTSD Awareness Day
USO Birthday
Coast Guard Reserve Birthday
Navy Reserve Birthday
National Forget Me Not Day
Hug a G. I. Day
Seabees Birthday
Rosie the Riveter Day
Medal of Honor Day
Vietnam War Veterans Day
Gold Star Spouces Day
Former POW Recognition Day
Airforce Reserve birthday
Purple Up For Military kids Day
Army Reserve Birthday
National Military Brat’s Day
Military Appreciation Month
Silver Star Service Banner Day
Month of the Military Child
V E Day
D Day
Freedoms Ring

HOW TO OBSERVE #GoldStarMothersDay

An ocean often divided families from their deceased sons, as was the case of the founder of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. organization, Grace Darling Seibold. While waiting for confirmation of her son’s death, she visited the VA hospital almost daily and made herself useful in the process. Afterward, she continued to visit the hospital and formed the organization that unites gold star mothers still today.

We always honor our Military and First respnders.

Attend a ceremony or organize an event in your community. Remember the fallen in your family, share their stories and offer support to members of the gold star family. Use #GoldStarMothersDay to post on social media.

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NATIONAL TEAL TALK DAY

September 22, 2026September 10, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 13 Comments

Let’s talk. September 23rd is Teal Talk Day and each year, over 249,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer worldwide. So, gather your friends, wear teal for a day out together and talk.

Join a group of co-workers for lunch. Men are welcome, also. They have mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters at risk for ovarian cancer. They should have the Teal Talk, too! Since no standard screening exists for ovarian cancer, awareness gives us our best defense. The talk takes very little time. Have a Teal Talk over lunch. In that time, approximately 28 women will receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Invite your closest friends, neighbors, and sisters for drinks in the back yard. Wear your favorite teal and give the Teal Talk. Let them know early detection improves survival rates by 90%. Make sure they know the symptoms.

Persistent bloating
Lack of energy
Loss of appetite
Feeling fuller sooner.

During your Teal Talk, find more signs at Ovarcome.org.

Go for a walk with your mom and her friends. Even a short walk will be long enough for a Teal Talk. Ask them about family history and encourage them to share it with their daughters and granddaughters. Urge them to see their gynecologist to review family history for inherited risk factors. Families with a strong history of ovarian or breast cancer have a 15-40% lifetime risk when compared to the general population, according to the National Cancer Institute.

TEAL TALK DAY HISTORY

Ovarcome founded Teal Talk Day to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and to encourage everyone to talk about it. With no screening currently available, Ovarcome wants you to be on top of symptoms – be empowered. You can help save a life!

Ovarcome was founded on February 23, 2012. In 2017, Ovarcome celebrated five years of service to the ovarian cancer community by starting this national and global movement. Ovarian cancer is a Silent Disease – but Ovarcome encourages you to be VOCAL about it! In the absence of a screening test, knowledge and awareness empower women and families to overcome the disease. Teal Talk Day brings that knowledge and awareness to you.

Explore More…

World Stroke Day
World Diabetes Day
National Wear Red Day
National Teal Talk Day
Epilepsy Awareness Day
American Diabetes Association Alert Day
Anosmia Awareness Day
National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month
American Hearth Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Blood Pressure Month
National Trisomy Awareness Month
National Brain Injury Awareness Month
National Nephrology Nurses Week
National Kidney Health Month
National Nutrition Month
National Donor Day
National Blood Pressure Education Month
Nation Nutrition Month
National Heart Month
National Mental Health Month
National Fasting Month
National Blood Donor Month
National COPD Awareness Month

HOW TO OBSERVE #TealTalkDay

Celebrate Teal Talk Day in honor of all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, too. Ovarcome encourages you to talk about ovarian cancer, especially on September 23rd, but also every day. Every day is a good day to talk about ovarian cancer. Follow Ovarcome on FB, Twitter, and Instagram for information, education, updates, and Teal celebrations! Together, we can Ovarcome!

Discuss the symptoms. Don’t hesitate to see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms.
Encourage the women in your life to maintain their routine exams.
Learn more about ovarian cancer.
Support organizations researching treatments, a cure, and advanced screening methods.
Support those who receive the diagnosis.
Share your story to help inform others.

Find out more information at Ovarcome.org and have the Teal Talk with the people in your lives. Use #TealTalkDay to share on social media.

Hummingbird Holding Teal Ribbon Ovarian Cancer Awareness T-Shirt

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NATIONAL WHITE CHOCOLATE DAY

September 21, 2026September 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 20 Comments

Satisfy your sweet tooth on National White Chocolate Day on September 22nd. Enjoy it with pretzels or drizzled on pastries. It’s a versatile confection with many ways to celebrate!

Ghirardelli Sweet Ground White Chocolate Flavor Powder, 3.12 lbs.

Ghirardelli White Chocolate Flavored Sauce Squeeze Bottle, 16 oz — Ghirardelli Sweet Ground White Chocolate Flavor Powder, 3.12 lbs.

Since white chocolate does not contain cocoa solids, it is not chocolate in the strictest sense. During the process of manufacturing chocolate, the dark-colored solids of the cocoa bean separates from the fatty content. But unlike milk or dark chocolate, the solids are not reincorporated. As a result, white chocolate also does not contain as much caffeine or antioxidants as its darker counterparts.

That’s right, white chocolate loses some of the health benefits when it is processed. Nestlé launched the first white chocolate bar in Europe. Known by the names Milkybar and Galak, Nestlé first produced the candy bar in the 1930s. Besides candy bars and fudge, white chocolate also comes in liqueurs, chips, ganache, truffles, and liquid forms. .

More chicolate?

HOW TO OBSERVE #WhiteChocolateDay

White chocolate pairs well with salty and sweet flavors. Mix it in with some peanuts or pretzels. Bake up some white chocolate macadamia nut cookies or indulge in a delicious cocktail. Enjoy your favorite white chocolate. Share yours using #WhiteChocolateDay to post on social media..

Starbucks Frappuccino Coffee Drink, White Chocolate Mocha 13.7 fl oz Bottles (12 Pack)

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NATIONAL NEW YORK DAY

September 20, 2026August 21, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 14 Comments

As we continue our tour of the states, September 21 brings us to the perfect time to honor National New York Day.

People & Places

The Lenape people populated the land now known as New York. They’re also known as the Delaware Indians. Their settlements also spread across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and parts of Delaware and Connecticut. However, the Dutch were the first Europeans to settle the area and named it New Netherland.

Settlements and trading posts developed up and down the Hudson River. Albany, the state capital, was once called Beverwijck and the center of the fur trade. In 1624, the Dutch established a settlement on Nutten Island named New Amsterdam. Two years later, they would move to Manhattan Island, and the colony flourished.

Over time, the settlement exchanged hands between the Dutch and British several times, each without bloodshed. The first exchange, in 1664, would name it New York.

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Independence & Influence

After delcaring independence, the colonies later created the Articles of Confederation. Soon they discovered a stronger governing document was needed.

While New York sent three delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, only Alexander Hamilton remained to sign the final document. A Federalist, Hamilton held strong opinions that could potentially influence the framing of the young nation’s new governing document. For one, Hamilton supported a life term of service for the President.

Hidden Treasures

Bannerman’s Castle, Beacon

Museum of the American Gangster, New York

Old Dutch Church at Sleepy Hollow, Sleepy Hollow

Buffalo Central Terminal, Buffalo

Abandoned Girl Scout Camp, Sodusuffalo

From the timeless halls of Ellis Island to the epic beauty of Niagara Falls and breathtaking Adirondacks, New York is infused with grand vistas and endless historical paths to retrace. With New York City as the epitome of a melting pot long before the term was coined, the state is full of inspiration for artists, sparks intelligent debate and philosophical discussion.

New York Symbols

State Capital – Albany
State Nickname – The Empire State
State Motto – Excelsior
State Slogan – I Love NY
State Bird – Eastern Blue Bird
State Reptile – Snapping Turtle
State Flower – Rose
State Fruit – Apple State Shell – Bay Scallop
State Tree – Sugar Maple
State Gemstone – Garnet
State Insect – Nine – Spotted Ladybug

NEW YORK FLAVOR

Nailing down New York food is like trying to see all the important sites in one long weekend. It’s just not possible. So, we’ll just name a few and you’ll just have to graze your way through the state tasting the rest.

Buffalo Wings
Peppermint Pig
Tomato Pie
Waldorf Salad
Salt Potatoes
Chicken Riggies
Melba Sauce
Sponge Candy
Utica Greens
Grape Pie
Mini Dogs

Explore More….

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.

MARTIN VAN BUREN (December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862)
MILLARD FILLMORE (January 7, 1800 – March 8, 1874)
THEODORE ROOSEVELT (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919)
FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945)
DONALD TRUMP (June 14, 1946 -)

Notable People

Clement Clarke Moore – Poet – (July 15, 1779 – July 10, 1863)

The Poet of Christmas Eve, a Life of Clement Clarke Moore, 1779-1863

Norman Rockwell – Painter Illustrator – (February 3, 1894 – November 8, 1978)

My Adventures as an Illustrator: The Definitive Edition — Norman Rockwell

Walt Whitman – Poet – (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892)

Walt Whitman Poetry Collection: Leaves of Grass, Various Works and Poems, and A Complete Biography of Walt Whitman

Soiumlct I Exist As I Am That Is Enough Poetry Wall Art Walt Whitman Inspirational Quote Poster Ready to Hang for living Room Bedroom Office Home Wall Decor Artwork (Wood Frame Stretched 12"*15") — Walt Whitman Poetry Collection: Leaves of Grass, Various Works and Poems, and A Complete Biography of Walt Whitman

Elizabeth Jennings Graham – Activist – (1830 – June 5, 1901)

America's First Freedom Rider: Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the Early Fight for Civil Rights — America’s First Freedom Rider: Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the Early Fight for Civil Rights

Eleanor Roosevelt – First Lady – (October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962)

You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life — The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt

Louis Bouche’ – Artist – (March 18, 1896 – August 7, 1969)

Louis Bouché : Arrangement : 1930 : Archival Art Print

Shirley Chisholm – Congresswoman – ( November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005)

Shirley Chisholm: First Black Congresswoman

Vince Lombardi – Football Coach – (June 11, 1913 – September 3, 1970)

Run to Daylight!: A Week in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers

What It Takes To Be Number #1: Vince Lombardi on Leadership — Run to Daylight!: A Week in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalNewYorkDay

Celebrate New York’s impressive spaces, historic places, and iconic personalities. Explore all New York has to offer! Use #NationalNewYorkDay to share on social media.

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Mini Statue of Liberty Figurine with Copper Tint; Statue of Liberty Souvenir — Baseball Hat New-York Distressed-Adjustable-Strapback – Washed Twill Dad Hat Unisex

Biuteawal - New York City Canvas Wall Art Manhattan Skyline at Night Picture Prints Modern Home Office Wall Decoration Stretched Ready to Hang#NationalNewYorkDay — Biuteawal – New York City Canvas Wall Art Manhattan Skyline at Night Picture Prints Modern Home Office Wall Decoration Stretched Ready to Hang

NATIONAL CHAI DAY

September 20, 2026August 20, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

On September 21st, the aroma filling the room comes from ancient spices, perfectly steeped into a cup of delicious tea. National Chai Day celebrates the strong, satisfying tea that is ordered at cafes across the country.

While the Indian beverage dates back nearly 5,000 years, the chai served in homes and coffee shops today comes in many forms. For traditional chai, steep it with black tea leaves. Add whole milk for the richest flavor. Some even prefer almond or coconut milk. The most common spice in chai is cardamom. Though blends will vary from place to place, other spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, and fennel. Finally, sweeten the tea with pure sugar.

This time of year, we can’t resist the creamy, sweet combination, either! So, wrap your hands around a warm cup and let the aromatic steam permeate your senses. One sip will tell you how enjoyable National Chai Day is going to be!

NATIONAL CHAI DAY HISTORY

SomruS founded National Chai Day on September 21, 2018, to celebrate the flavorful drink spreading its leaves across the country by the cupful.

ABOUT SOMRUS

SomruS is the World’s First Line of Indian Liqueurs. Our flagship product, SomruS Original, is an artisanal Chai liqueur made with cardamom and other eastern spices, nuts, real Wisconsin dairy and Caribbean Rum. Created by an Indian American couple in their kitchen in Burr Ridge, IL just 4 years ago, SomruS Original Indian Cream Liqueur is now the most awarded cream liqueur on the planet (www.proof66.com). SomruS is the first liqueur that can be used to create authentic chai adult beverages from a Chaitini to a Hard Chai to a Hot Chai Latte. Our liqueur is next generation in terms of quality and is low ABV and gluten-free with no preservatives or artificial flavors.

TAZO Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Tea Concentrate, 32 oz

Explore More…

Caffeine Awareness Month
Gourmet Coffee Day
International Coffee Day
Irish Coffee Day
Café Au Lait Day
Coffee Cake Day
National Coffee Day
National Coffee Milkshake Day
National Pumpkin Spice Day
National Frappe Day
National Latte Day
Coffee Ice Cream Day
National Cappachino Day
National Espresso Day
Peppermint Latte Day
Gingerbread Latte Day

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHAI DAY

Visit a local tea shop or cafe and order a cup of chai. Choose from a variety of blends. While chai is customarily steeped with black tea, green chai is available, too. Try both! Introduce a friend to the love of chai, too! When you do, give a shout out to your favorite cafe. Take a selfie as you enjoy and use #NationalChaiDay to share on social media.

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GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY

GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY HISTORY

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.