According to a 1973 Sesame Street calendar, Rubber Duckie’s Birthday is January 13th so around the country it’s National Rubber Ducky Day! A friend of Ernie and Big Bird, Duckie made his debut in a February 1970 episode.
The rubber ducky (also spelled duckie) has come a long way from his first concept as a chew toy for children. While the origin of the first rubber ducky is uncertain, many rubber molded toys came about when rubber manufacturing developed in the late 1800s. They produced a variety of toys from dolls and various animal shapes, including the rubber duck.
In 1928, Landon Smart Lawrence received the earliest patent fora rubber duck toy. His clever design weighted the toy so that when it tipped it returned to an upright position. The sketch included with the patent was that of a duck.
During World Wars I and II, rubber was a valuable commodity. Rationing became mandatory and by the 1940s with the advent of plastic, the rubber ducky began being produced in vinyl and plastic.
Russian Sculptor Peter Ganine sculpted many animal figures. One, a duck, he later designed and patented into a floating toy which closely resembles the rubber ducky we have become familiar with today.
Sales of the iconic yellow rubber ducky we’ve come to know today soared in Britain in 2001. Why? A British Tabloid, The Sun, reported Queen Elizabeth II had a rubber duck in her bathroom that wore an inflatable crown.
The rubber ducky became a Toy Hall of Fame inductee in 2013. Founded in 1998, the Hall of Fame has only inducted 52 other toys.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRubberDuckyDay
Spend time with your favorite rubber ducky. Share photos of your rubber ducky collection. Discover all the different kinds of rubber duckies available. Use #NationalRubberDuckyDay to post on social media. Do you still have yours?
On September 22nd, Car Free Day encourages motorists around the world to give up their vehicles for a day. The observance is also known as World Car Free Day.
Many people around the world consider their car a necessity. Without it, they wouldn’t be able to zip to their destination conveniently. Today, an estimated 1.4 billion cars travel the roads throughout the world. At one time, the United States had the most car owners. Now China claims that prize. Volkswagen and Toyota manufacture more cars than other companies.
Cars offer a convenient way to get around. However, cars hurt the environment. Besides causing air pollution, scientists point to cars as contributing to global warming.
Car Free Day aims to see what life would be like without cars on the road. The observance encourages motorists to walk or bicycle instead. The day promotes the use of mass transit for those who need to travel long distances. It’s also a day for cities to use their roadways in different ways. For example, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, horses are ridden on the streets.
In other cities, street picnics and a variety of fun events are scheduled to take place in the streets. In Budapest, there are races for alternative-energy-powered vehicles. Many cities promote the idea that biking and walking are safer than driving a car.
WORLD CAR FREE DAY HISTORY
Since the 1950s, various groups have protested the use of cars. At that time, they considered cars an intrusion into their cities and neighborhoods. From 1956 to 1957, the Netherlands and Belgium held car-free Sundays.
Through the years, research began to reveal the negative impact of cars on the environment. At an international conference in 1994, a paper discussing a strategy for reducing dependence on cars was distributed. In the late 1990s, car-free projects were planned and implemented in various European cities. In 1997, the British Environmental Transport Association coordinated three annual car-free days. Spain, Italy, and France followed suit with similar projects.
Car Free Days made its way to South America in 2000 with the most extensive Car Free Program held in Bogota, Columbia. On September 22, 2000, the European Car Free Day was held. It has since been an annual event for 46 countries and 2,000 cities all over the world.
The best way to observe World Car Free Day is to simply not use your vehicle. If you need to go somewhere, walk or ride your bike. You may consider using a skateboard or electric scooter instead. Educate yourself on the role that cars play in our environment’s future. Research alternative energy sources for cars.
Find ways in your community to get around without your car. Can you take advantage of public transportation? Organize a carpool with co-workers. Spend time with your children while walking to school. Discover the benefits of using your car less often.
Reduced wear and tear on your vehicle
Increased savings
Lower maintenance costs
Decreased carbon footprint
Physical exercise
You may decide that going car-free isn’t so bad after all!
If you decide to go car-free, share your experience on social media using #CarFreeDay.
On April 26th each year, National Audubon Day honors the birth of John James Audubon (April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851).
Audubon was a French-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter noted for his extensive studies of American birds and his detailed illustrations of the birds in their natural habitats. Audubon’s greatest work wasThe Birds of America which is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed. His work in this book contains more than 700 North American bird species with 435 hand-colored, life-size prints of 497 bird species.
Spring is an excellent time to observe the birds John Audubon described and painted. As they migrate across the country, set out feeders to welcome them along their journey. Watch them from your window or while strolling on a path.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at last count approximately 45 million people watch birds. They bird watch while they travel or all year long from their homes. Many trek around the country to see a bird for the first time in its natural habitat. So can you. Learn about their habitats and migration patterns. Or simply watch them for their color and song.
