In 2012, Metro Trains Melbourne (Australia) created an ad campaign to promote rail safety.  A little song became the theme of the campaign:  Dumb Ways To Die.  In the song, several dumb ways to die are suggested like: Set fire to your hair Poke a stick at a grizzly bear Eat medicine that’s out of… Read More »

Today is a National Day Calendar celebration that is needed after the historical events of yesterday.  This is National Encouragement Day, instituted in 2007 by the Encouragement Foundation at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.  “Mayor Belinda LaForce of Searcy, Arkansas, made the first proclamation for Day of Encouragement on August 22, 2007. The following month,… Read More »

9/11.  Those two numbers say it all.  Twenty-four years ago, an act of Islamic terrorism was perpetrated on American soil.  It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a quarter of a century ago.  For those of us who were teens or adults at the time, it’s hard for us not to feel as if… Read More »

Yesterday, September 9, 1776 is a day that ought to be celebrated in our country but, to my knowledge, doesn’t receive any acknowledgement.  Prior to this day, historical documents said used a particular phrase:  United Colonies. John Adams wrote Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies at the end of 1775. … Read More »

One historical event tanked an individual’s political career.  They made a decision, an act of grace and mercy that many did not agree with nor understand.  Knowing full well that this could be the result, the individual moved forward, willing to fall on his own sword for the greater good. Here is an abbreviated timeline… Read More »

Space.  The final frontier.  Those opening words were first heard on this day in 1966 as the voyages of the starship Enterprise began.  Their mission was to explore strange new worlds, to seek out life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no man has gone before.  I admit it.  Call me a geek,… Read More »

Anna Mary Robertson Moses is a name I haven’t thought of in years!  Maybe you’ve never heard of her by this full name.  Today is a National Day Calendar celebration of her, marking her birthday.  She is better known as Grandma Moses. Born in 1860, she started a career that made her famous when she… Read More »

My wife and oldest daughter are in a fierce competition.  They’ve been in this competition since January 1.  They are trying to see who can read the most books by the end of the year.  At the moment of this writing (8/16/25), they are essentially tied at about 72 books per person.  I’m in their… Read More »

Today is a National Day Calendar Celebration that some people celebrate daily.  This is National Be Late For Something Day.  The purpose of the day is supposed to be a release and relief for those who are uptight, schedule bound, and punctual to a fault.  This gives them “permission” to relax and not be so… Read More »

In a day when communication with a person on the other side of the globe is nearly instantaneous, it’s hard to imagine the events that generated great excitement in the United States 74 years ago on this day in 1951. It was a post-WWII era.  America had occupied Japan once they were defeated in the… Read More »