NATIONAL CELL PHONE COURTESY MONTH

June 30, 2026June 22, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

National Cell Phone Courtesy Month during July encourages us to evaluate our cellular habits and consider others before we reach for our phone.

Our phones have become an integral part of our lives. We schedule events, organize shopping lists, order birthday presents and communicate all from this one, small device. Do we even make a phone call any more?

Phone courtesy has always been in fashion, but when they became smart, it seems we lost a few brain cells. National Cell Phone Courtesy Month strives to bring polite phone usage back in style.

Dos and Don’ts

Silent the phone whenever you’re spending time with anyone. That includes work, a meal, meeting or with family. If you are attending a performance of any kind, turn the phone off. There are exceptions to this rule for medical professionals or other expectant emergency situations.
Rude Do not expect to be waited on if you are on your phone. There is nothing as rude as being on your phone and pointing at people to come wait on you.
Hidden phones are forgotten phones. We pay attention to the people in the room, the performance, or the meeting. It’s also a signal to the people we are with that they are important to us.
Step away if you do need to take a call. No one needs to hear your conversation while trying to enjoy a meal for two.
Shhh. Monitor the volume of your voice. Even when you step away, voices carry.
Pause before sending emails, texts or social media posts. Consider the content, especially if it is posted in haste. Ask yourself the following questions. Sometimes just the need to ask will be all the answer you need before deleting the comment or text.
- Will I regret sending this later?
- Am I angry?
- Will this hurt someone?
- Is this appropriate?
- Will this affect my job or relationship?
Don’t use your phone and drive. Many states prohibit cellular use or limit it to hands-free only. Any message can wait until you arrive at your destination. If it truly is urgent, pull to a safe stopping area to receive the message or call.
Don’t let your mobile device become a social hindrance. We often look to our phone for social engagement when we don’t know what else to do. Meet new people when you are in a new circle of people and begin networking with the people near you. Expand your social circle face to face and broaden the world around you.

HISTORY

In 2002, Jacqueline Whitmore, a Palm Beach, Florida manners expert, created National Cell Phone Courtesy Month with the help of Sprint to increase phone etiquette.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Our phones are tools. They shouldn’t replace every social context in our lives. Practice a little courtesy and gain improved relationships everywhere you go. Encourage your friends and families to join you throughout the month. Use #CellPhoneCourtesyMonth to share on social media.

NATIONAL TELEPHONE DAY

April 24, 2026March 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

On April 25th, we observe National Telephone Day. Around the world, there are 9.82 billion mobile phones. And while some predicted the landline to be obsolete by 2020, there are still about 931 million landlines around the world.

Obtaining a Patent

The correct answer to a trivia question like “Who invented the telephone?” is the name on the patent. In this case, the whole world knows the answer is Alexander Graham Bell. Had his attorney been delayed by foul weather or poor planning, the answer may be a different name.

On February 14, 1876, Marcellus Bailey, one of Bell’s attorneys, rushed into the U.S. Patent office in Boston to file the patent for what would be the telephone.

Later the same day, Elisha Gray filed a patent caveat for a similar device. A caveat is an intent to file for a patent.

There was also a third contender. Antonio Meucci filed a caveat in November of 1871 for a talking telegraph but failed to renew the caveat due to hardships.

Because Bell submitted his record first, the patent office awarded Bell the patent on March 7, 1876. Gray contested this decision in court, but without success.

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Alexander Graham Bell

Born March 3, 1847, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Bell taught at a boys’ boarding school. The sounds of speech were an integral part of his life. His father developed a “Visible Speech” system for deaf students to communicate. Bell would later become a friend and benefactor of Helen Keller.

Three days after the patent was approved, Bell spoke the first words by telephone to his assistant. “Mr.Watson, come here! I want to see you!”

By May, Bell and his team stood prepared for a public demonstration. And there would be no better place than the grand stage of the World’s Fair in Philadelphia. On May 10, 1876, in a crowded Machinery Hall, a man’s voice transmitted from a small horn and carried out through a speaker to the audience.

One year later, the White House installed its first phone. The telephone revolution began.

Bell Telephone Company was founded on July 9, 1877, and they installed the first public telephone lines from Boston to Sommerville, Massachusetts, the same year. By the end of the decade, nearly 50,000 phones existed in the United States. In May of 1967, phone companies across the country installed the one-millionth telephone.

NATIONAL TELEPHONE DAY HISTORY

In May of 1967, the 100 millionth telephone line was installed in the United States. On May 11th, governors and dignitaries for U.S. territories joined President Lyndon Johnson on the largest conference call ever held up to that date. Each governor, dignitary, and the President were issued gold phones to commemorate the day. At the same time, a proclamation was issued declaring May 12th as National Telephone Day.

More to Explore…

National Telephone Day
National Cell Phone Courtesy Month
National Common Courtesy Day
National Courtesy Month
Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day
National Radio Day
National Receptionists’ Day
Push Button Phone Day

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalTelephoneDay

Celebrate by calling someone and telling them Happy National Telephone Day! Share your vintage telephone pictures on social media using #NationalTelephoneDay to show the different phones that have been used!

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NATIONAL HUG A G.I. DAY

March 3, 2026March 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

As the only day on the calendar that is mnemonically a military command, March 4th recognizes National Hug a G.I. Day.

Gather around your servicemen and women to give them a hug. It’s simply a way to show your support. With either a pat on the back or a hearty handshake, be sure to give both past and present G.I.s your appreciation. While G.I.s refer to Army personnel, the day encompasses all those who have served in the military. So, hug those Jarheads, Wingnuts, Squids, and Coasties, too!

Today the term G.I. is fairly commonly known to refer to those serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. How that came to be is a little less military protocol and more the American story.

It seems at the turn of the 20th century, G.I. was a notation used in supply records for galvanized iron. It was later used during World War I for German artillery shells made from galvanized iron.

Sometime during the war soldiers started interpreting the initials as “Government Issue” or “General Issue”. By the time World War II came around it was starting to gain meaning as the generic enlisted man.

Not surprisingly, sarcastic usage among many servicemen was common, feeling they were just like any other Government Issued supply being mass-produced for Uncle Sam.

About that time G.I. Joe was born. His creator, comic strip artist, and former Army Sergeant David Breger, issued his first G.I. Joe cartoon series in Yank magazine on June 17, 1942.

The term G.I. became more permanently etched in the American language when in 1944 President Franklin Roosevelt signed the bill that became known as the G.I. Bill; Servicemen’s Readjustment Act.

And then there was no going back when Hasbro trademarked their G.I. Joe as an action figure in 1964.

NATIONAL HUG A G.I. DAY HISTORY

In 1996, Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith created Hug A G.I. Day. She selected the only day on the calendar that was also a military command to salute and celebrate the men and women who risk their lives for our country and freedoms. We have included the link to the original page for you.

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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 #HugAGIDay

Find a G.I. you know and give them a hug. Is your G.I. too far away to give a hug? Send him or her a virtual one via text, e-mail, phone or even snail mail. Use #HugAGIDay to post on social media.

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NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER LOVER’S DAY

February 28, 2026February 10, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

March 1st was made for National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day. Ah, peanut butter. One day is not enough to recognize peanut butter. The goober has been paired, blended, and added with many tasty results!

The creamy, nutty goodness known as peanut butter is so amazingly delicious that when we pair it with creamy and dreamy chocolate, we almost have bacon.

We digress. Another great love is peanut butter ice cream. Blended smooth with a few chopped nuts and a drizzle of peanut butter syrup is a peanut butter lover’s dream come true.

The slang term for peanut butter in World War II was “monkey butter.”

A monkey visited the lab at Kellogg’s one day and dipped his banana in a jar of peanut butter, and he’s been ape over the combination ever since. Actually, banana slices with peanut butter sandwiched between them and dipped in chocolate make a terrific snack.

Peanut butter and bananas were a combination even fit for a king. Elvis Presley loved a peanut butter and banana sandwich or two.

Then peanut butter got its passport and traveled the world. It paired up with some shrimp and got a little saucy. The result is a Thai peanut butter shrimp that is so yummy it had to be true love.

Things heated up a little when peanut butter jumped into the stew pot to sweat it out with a spring chick seasoned with some cayenne. African Chicken Peanut Stew tastes better than ever.

One of the best times peanut butter has ever had is with marshmallows. Fudge enjoys a satisfying dessert status to be envied.

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Fun Peanut Butter Facts:

It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
C.H. Sumner first sold peanut butter in the United States at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis. He sold $705.11 of the “new treat” at his concession stand.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup was introduced to America in 1928.
The oldest operating manufacturer and seller of peanut butter has been selling peanut butter since 1898.
Mr. Ed TV’s used peanut butter as a secret ingredient to get a horse talking.
Americans spend almost $800 million a year on peanut butter.
January 24th is National Peanut Butter Day.

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER LOVER’S DAY HISTORY

National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day first made its appearance in 1990 commemorating the anniversary of when peanut butter made its commercial debut in the United States. Promoted by both the Adult Peanut Butter Lovers Fan Club and the National Peanut Board, the day found full cover peanut butter spreads in newspapers across the country. An un-named doctor was given credit for first providing peanut butter to his patients. In March of 1890, he began providing the spread to those patients who had difficulty chewing. More than 100 years later, we continue to celebrate the benefits of peanut butter, and its history, too.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #PeanutButterLoversDay

Fall in love with some peanut butter or a new peanut butter combination.
Try peanut butter and apples.
Or maybe fried peaches and peanut butter.
Try one of the recipes above.
Or how about peanut butter and bacon.
Share your favorite peanut butter combos.
Use #PeanutButterLoversDay to post on social media.

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NATIONAL DARK CHOCOLATE DAY

January 31, 2026January 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 6 Comments

On February 1st, National Dark Chocolate Day reminds us to indulge a little. Many tout dark chocolate as the healthier chocolate. However, for some, it can be an acquired taste.

Also known as bittersweet chocolate, dark chocolate is different from milk chocolate. Candy makers add milk or butter to milk chocolate, giving it a creamier consistency. Dark chocolate includes no added milk or butter. Instead, the percentage of cocoa solids remaining in the chocolate determines how dark the chocolate is. The higher the ratio, the darker the chocolate. It may also have a slightly bitter taste.

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Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. We have been cultivating cacao for at least three millennia, and the plant grows in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. Our earliest known documentation of using cacao seeds dates to around 1100 BC.

Fermentation helps develop the flavor of the cacao seeds. Otherwise, the seeds are too bitter to eat. Once fermented, the beans are dried, cleaned, and roasted. After roasting, the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. Processors then ground the cocoa nips into cocoa mass, pure chocolate in rough form. Next, they usually liquefy the cocoa mass and mold it with or without other ingredients. At this point in the process, it is called chocolate liquor. The chocolate liquor may then be processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter.

Besides being lower in calories and fat, dark chocolate has many other health benefits. It also serves as a decadent ingredient in many desserts and sauces.

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HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL DARK CHOCOLATE DAY

Eat some dark chocolate. Bake with dark chocolate. Add dark chocolate to a savory dish. Share dark chocolate recipes. Host a dark chocolate tasting. Learn about the health benefits of dark chocolate. Use #NationalDarkChocolateDay on social media.