NATIONAL PUNCH DAY

While one perspective suggests honoring tools used to make holes, another points to a day created to throw a few punches at a punching bag. However, we will direct you toward the thirst-quenching version instead. Besides, this delicious, refreshing drink sparkles with celebration.
A wide assortment of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, fall into the category of punch.

A combination of fruit juice and a carbonated beverage, the colorful, bubbly drink sparkles with party personality. In fact, parties, weddings, and other celebrations serve punch as part of the centerpiece at the beverage table. Large wide bowls known as punch bowls provide a beautiful vessel for serving punch.

The word punch is a loanword from Hindi panch (meaning five). Originally, punch was made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices. It was called paantsch.


Soft drink manufacturers today distribute many types of “fruit punch” beverages. Most punch mixes are red in color. However, despite the name, they contain a small fraction of fruit juice. Sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, and artificial flavors make up the main ingredients.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL PUNCH DAY

Make some punch and make a toast! Thousands of punch recipes make the beverage versatile and easy to make. Check recipe books and online. Be sure to share your favorites, too! Use #NationalPunchDay to post on social media. 

NATIONAL BEVERAGE DAY

National Beverage Day on May 6th encourages us to sit back, relax, and enjoy our favorite beverages.  

Beverages come in many forms. And whether you prefer a hot beverage or a cold one, the choice is yours. Serve up a caffeinated drink poured over over ice. Make it carbonated or mix it up as a cocktail or a mocktail as the case may be. Beverages may be freshly squeezed, frozen, blended, or creamy. They can even be sweet, sour, bitter, smooth, or dry.  

We drink them to cool off and to warm up. We also drink them to chill out and serve them to add sparkle to a celebration. Although, some months celebrate more than others. While January is quite busy and raises a glass to milk, green juice, and the bloody Mary, February only celebrates Kahlua. While July is busy, May doesn’t shy away from beverage celebrations, either. We just celebrated lemonade and America’s favorite beverage, orange juice, and will celebrate several more in May, too!

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBeverageDay

Observe National Beverage Day by singing to a “beverage” inspired song while enjoying your tasty beverage!  Post photos of your favorite beverage on social media using #NationalBeverageDay

NATIONAL LEMONADE DAY

National Lemonade Day on the first Sunday in May encourages the entrepreneurial spirit in young people all across the country. 

Not only is the celebration a time to enjoy a refreshing glass of lemonade, but more importantly, it is a day to give youth an opportunity to experience the taste of success.

Through LemonadeDay.org, millions of kids around the nation learn what it takes to run a business in a fun and constructive way.

The days leading up to Lemonade Day are full of preparation by small but budding entrepreneurs. They attend workshops, check their stock, and scout out their locations. On Lemonade Day, they will be ready to set up shop and sell the freshest, coolest lemonade their side of the block!

NATIONAL LEMONADE DAY HISTORY

Michael Holthouse founded National Lemonade Day in 2007 in his hometown of Houston, Texas to allow youth to sample running small businesses – like a lemonade stand. Today he and LemonadeDay.org are partnered with Google to continue to bring the entrepreneurial spirit to the youth of America.

Explore more…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalLemonadeDay

What better way for kids to learn about running a small business than by starting one? For ages, children have set up small stands on the sidewalk. But now, we need to take them seriously. Cash in hand, consumers, come to the counter, and get your lemonade by the glassful.

Businesses face challenges, too. If they’re given lemons, well they make a different sort of lemonade. Use the ledger to create other business scenarios around your home. You can also find more ideas at www.lemonadeday.org. Frequent your favorite lemonade stand and use #NationalLemonadeDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH

National Black History Month, also known as National African American History Month, during February is a time for all Americans to celebrate the achievements of African Americans. In addition, the month recognizes the central role of Black Americans in history.

Other countries, including Canada and Great Britain, have also set aside months to honor Black History. February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and noted civil rights advocate Frederick Douglass. A privateer ship named the White Lion records the first Africans brought to the colonies in 1619. Captained by John Colyn Jope, the White Lion landed at Point Comfort, Virginia, now modern-day Hampton, Virginia. There, Jope traded the Africans as slaves in exchange for provisions.

Notable Black Americans

African-Americans impacted our society throughout history and in numerous ways.

  • Thurgood Marshall – The jurist was the first African-American appointed to the Supreme Court. We recognize Thurgood Marshall every year on National Maryland Day.
  • George Washington Carver – As a man of science, Carver developed over 300 products from peanuts. Celebrate George Washington Carver and his contributions to the peanut industry on National Peanut Day.
  • Shirley Chisholm – In 1968, New York’s 12th congressional district elected Chisholm as the first Black woman in Congress. She served seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • Rosa Parks – The Civil Rights advocate helped initiate the Civil Rights Movement by refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Celebrate Rosa Parks and learn more about her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Louis Armstrong – As a talented musician and performer, Armstrong became a pioneer in jazz. Satchmo Summerfest honors his contributions to music for a week each year in August.
  • Colin Powell – The 4-star General became Secretary of State. Colin Powell dedicated the Buffalo Soldier Monument at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, establishing the first Buffalo Soldiers Day.
  • Barack Obama – Americans elected Obama as the first Black President of the United States in 2009. He served two terms.

NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH HISTORY

Carter Woodson, the twentieth-century historian, created Black History Month. He believed Black Americans were not adequately represented in the study of American history. Carter Woodson also hoped for the day when Americans would accept Black history as a part of American history. President Gerald Ford declared Black History Month (formerly Negro History Week) in 1976.

More Heritage to explore….

HOW TO OBSERVE #BlackHistoryMonth

Learn more about African-American history. Here are a few books we suggest reading during Black History Month:

Use #BlackHistoryMonth on social media and start a book discussion.

AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE DAY

Every year on May 5th, African World Heritage Day offers an opportunity for people around the world to celebrate Africa.

Africa is the world’s second-largest continent. Some of the biggest threats facing Africa include climate change, uncontrolled development, disease, civil unrest, and poaching. Unfortunately, many of Africa’s cultural and natural wonders are at risk of losing universal value. Because of the threats facing this diverse continent, it’s more important than ever to protect and preserve their heritage.

In honor of this day, explore some interesting facts about Africa:

  • The continent consists of 54 countries and one non-self-governing country.
  • Ancient Egypt’s Pharaonic civilization is one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
  • There are over 2,000 recognized languages on the continent.
  • The most spoken language is Arabic, followed by English, Swahili, and French.
  • Africa has 1.1 billion people, and over half of them are under the age of 25.
  • By 2050, Africa’s population is expected to double.
  • About 90% of malaria cases in the world take place in Africa.

The continent is home to the largest reserves of precious metals in the world. One more amazing fact about Africa is that it contains the world’s largest hot desert, the Sahara. This desert is 3.6 million square miles, which is comparable to China or the continental United States.

AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE DAY HISTORY

In November 2015, The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed May 5th as African World Heritage Day. They chose May 5th as it marked the anniversary of the African World Heritage Fund. This initiative was launched in 2006 to support the conservation and protection of Africa’s natural and cultural heritage.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #AfricanWorldHeritageDay

People around the world, especially those in Africa, celebrate this day in various ways. Events include the African World Heritage Youth Forum, cultural presentations, and an Instagram photo contest.

To participate:

  • Read about famous historic sites in Africa, including the Isimila Stone Age Site in Tanzania, Robben Island in South Africa, Luxor Temple in Egypt, and Elmina Castle in Ghana.
  • Learn about African heroes, including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Chinua Achebe.
  • Commit to taking a trip to Africa someday.
  • Watch a movie set in Africa, such as Hotel Rwanda, Out of Africa, Goodbye Bafana, and Beat the Drum.

Share this day on social media with #AfricanWorldHeritageDay.

Large Artwork African Tree Sunset Landscape Bedroom Wall Art Panoramic Natural Animals Poster for Living Room Wall Decor Framed Canvas Print Kitchen Home Décor Direct Hang 24x48inch#AfricanWorldHeritageDay
Large Artwork African Tree Sunset Landscape Bedroom Wall Art Panoramic Natural Animals Poster for Living Room Wall Decor Framed Canvas Print Kitchen Home Décor Direct Hang 24x48inch