June 1 Say Something Nice Day

June 1 is Say Something Nice Day observed every year. Say Something Nice Day began in Charleston, South Carolina, when the Mayors of North Charleston and Charleston came together with members of the Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery and the South Carolina.

The purpose of this holiday is to counteract bullying and the lack of civility and common courtesy that is growing among people in today’s world. Hopefully the practice of “saying something nice today” will continue onto all tomorrows.

The message of the day is that positivity goes a long way in spreading happiness and joy. When we are kind in our interactions with others, we receive positivity and kindness back. This enriches our lives, makes us happy and keeps us healthy - studies have shown that happy people are healthier and live longer. 

June 1 Go Barefoot Day

Go Barefoot Day is observed on June 1. The real purpose behind this quirky holiday is to encourage people to donate new and used shoes to the victims of natural disasters.

Go Barefoot Day was launched by a non-profit organization calledSoles4Souls. Take a moment to do a little spring cleaning and give away the shoes you no longer need. You can even organize a shoe drive in your community.

The holiday got its start after the Tsunami disaster in 2004 to support those affected by the event. However, donations have continued to come in and over 19 millions of pairs of shoes have been donated worldwide since 2005.

Now is a good time to donate a pair or two of gently used shoes to a charitable organization in your area. 

June 1 Hazelnut Cake Day

June 1st is The Hazelnut Cake Day. Hazelnuts give any cake perfect nutty flavor, these nuts are underestimated. Worldwide there are over 100 varieties of hazelnuts grown and 70% of those come from Turkey. However, in the U.S. 99% of our hazelnuts are grown in Oregon instead of being imported.

There are several kinds of hazelnut cakes you can make. Use hazelnuts in any form that you like. Add whole or chopped nuts to the batter or use grounded hazelnuts to substitute some part of flour. No matter what kind you prefer, the distinctive and rich nutty flavor is a winner.

Cadbury-Schweppes company in Australia imports over 2,000 tons of hazelnuts annually. The nuts are used for chocolate, but some amount undergoes pressure to produce strongly flavored hazelnut oil. 

Hazelnut Cake Recipe 

Spend some time in the kitchen baking up a delicious hazelnut cake as you take part in National Hazelnut Cake Day.

May 31 Save Your Hearing Day

Each May 31st, Save Your Hearing Day is observed. Our hearing is vital, and there are ways that hearing loss can be avoidable.

There are various reasons from which hearing loss can be the result, some of which include:

Age, Noise, Genetic, Illness, Neurological Disorders, Medications, Chemicals, Physical Trauma, Neurobiological Factors

For more information,

visit

http://www.betterhearing.org/

or

http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss_prevention/index.cfm

Save Your Hearing Day is best celebrated in peaceful environments, with earmuffs, if need be. There’s a 60:60 rule that everybody should abide by on this day, which says you should listen to your MP3 at 60% of volume capacity for less than 60 minutes a day. It is estimated half of the cases of hearing impairment and deafness are preventable. 

May 31 Macaroon Day

On May 31 Macaroon Day is observed each year. Macaroons are small unleavened cakes with a crispy outer layer and a moist, chewy center. Although they are the same size as cookies, macaroons do not contain any flour and therefore do not fall into that classification.

The coconut macaroon is most commonly found in the United States. Most varieties of coconut macaroons are dipped in milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate. Almonds, pecans, cashews or other nuts are sometimes added to the cookie.

Culinary historians believe that macaroons originated in Italy. In fact, the word “macaroon” comes from the Italian word for paste: “maccarone.” In 1533, Italian monks and nuns introduced macaroons to France. Two Benedictine nuns, Sister Marguerite and Sister Marie-Elisabeth, began baking and selling these small sweets to help pay for their housing. They became known as the “Macaroon Sisters,” and their baking became famous throughout Europe. 

Following are two macaroon recipes for you to try and enjoy.

Coconut Macaroons

French Macaroons

May 31 No Tobacco Day

People also observed No Tobacco Day on Each May 31st. No Tobacco Day is a day to draw attention to the negative effects of tobacco and smoking, where each year the WHO awards individuals and organizations who make an exceptional contribution to the reduction of smoking and tobacco consumption.

It speeds up our heart rate, raises the blood pressure and makes us feel more energetic for a temporary amount of time. As we know the lasting effects are much more dangerous...

Medical research made it clear during the 1900s that tobacco use increased the likelihood of many illnesses including heart attacks, strokes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema and many forms of cancer.

People, non-governmental organizations and governments unite on World No Tobacco Day to draw attention to the health problems that tobacco use can cause. 

May 30 Mint Julep Day

Mint Julep Day is observed annually on May 30. This drink was introduced at the Kentucky Derby in the 1930s and since then it has become the event's official drink. A classic mint julep is made with a mint leaf, bourbon, sugar and water. In the Southern states, where mint julep is more associated with the cuisine, spearmint is the mint of choice. Preparation of the drink may vary from one bartender to another.

Were you desperately hoping for a refreshing bourbon cocktail but frustrated that you didn’t have a good enough excuse? Thankfully for you, Mint Julep Day is here to pander to your wildest fantasies… just as long as those fantasies involved sipping this classic cocktail.

Invite your friends over for a party with homemade mint julep. Enjoy this unique drink even when Kentucky Derby is over. The refreshing taste of mint julep is perfect for any hot summer day. 

May 30 Water a Flower Day

Recognized each year on May 30 is National Water a Flower Day. To keep your flowers alive, you have to water them. Water a Flower Day remembers you to water your flowers and is an opportunity to give them an extra sip of water to thank for their wonderful colors.

To celebrate Water a Flower Day you can use a watering can or watering pot. If you don't own such a thing, simply use a bottle or maybe even a cooking pot or a mug. You could also take smaller plants or flowers directly to the sink and water them with tap water. The only important thing is to take good care of your flowers that day, so don't forget to celebrate the day and tell everyone about it.

This is a fun day; a day to enjoy the happiness that flowers bring to people. It is possible that you know someone who is home-bound, hospitalized, needs some cheering up or that you want to say “thank you to” or just to “make someone’s day. If so, then It would be a great day to take them a bouquet of flowers, but remember to “water the flowers” before you deliver them. 

May 29 Coq Au Vin Day

Celebrated annually on May 29 is National Coq Au Vin Day. Coq au vin is French for “rooster with wine”. Indeed, rooster is slowly cooked in a rich sauce, made from wine, mushrooms, garlic and lardons (salted pork). In the USA the dish was slightly changed – chicken is used instead of rooster and ham replaced lardons.

Different legends tell of Coq au vin back in the days of Gaul and Julius Caesar. However, the first documented recipe was in the early 20th century. There was a somewhat similar recipe, poulet au vin blanc, that appeared in an 1864 cookbook. 

Enjoy this Coq Au Vin recipe.

By the way, the older the rooster, the better the dish. Old roosters have more connective tissues that create a richer broth.

May 29 Paperclip Day

Paperclip Day is observed each year on May 29. Yes, even the paper clip should have its own holiday. The paper clip as we know it was most likely designed by Norwegian inventor Johan Vaaler. In fact, an enormous paper clip over a meter wide and five meters tall was erected in Sandvika, Norway, to remind people about the role this tiny object played in the nation’s history.

The first patent for a bent wire paper clip was awarded in the Samuel B. Fay in 1867 in the United States. Originally, the paper clip was designed for attaching tickets to fabric, although the patent recognized that it could be used to attach papers together. However, that model of paper clip did not resemble the one we know today all that much.

While there are much earlier claims to the invention of the paperclip, according to the Early Office Museum, the first patent for a “bent wire paper clip” was presented to Samuel B. Fay in the United States in 1867. The original intention of Fay’s clip was to attach tickets to fabric. However, U.S. patent 64,088 recognized that it could also be used to attach papers together. 

May 28 Brisket Day

May 28 is National Brisket Day observed annually. One of the nine primal cuts of beef, brisket comes from the breast or lower chest of beef or veal. Brisket is a tough and relatively inexpensive cut of meat. While it requires some patience to cook brisket to tenderness, the reward is well worth the effort.

Brisket requires slow cooking on a low fire, otherwise meat will be too tough. During the cooking process tough tissues are broken down, that is why you have a tender piece of meat. Spice mixes are used to give brisket a special flavor. Mix usually consists of salt, brown sugar, garlic, cumin, chili powder, black pepper, but it can be changed to your liking. Marinades are typically used to make meat tender. Soy source, Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke are the most popular choices.

Select a well-marbled cut of meat and cook brisket any way you want. Add some spice, you can make it fork tender and delightfully tasty.

May 28 Hamburger Day

Hamburger Day is observed each year on May 28. It is most likely that the hamburger sandwich first appeared in the 19th or early 20th centuries. Hamburgers originated in Hamburg, Germany, eating a burger on a bun is actually an American tradition. The hamburger as we know it was most likely invented in Seymour, Wisconsin.

The humble hamburger is a staple of western culture. Burger joints, takeaway food outlets and all-night-eateries serve them up in their millions – with cheese, salad, gherkins and pickles, bacon and sauces. The delicious ways you can customize your burger — add bacon, ketchup, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and your other favorite fixings.

Over the years, the hamburger has become a culinary icon in the United States. To celebrate this Hamburger Day, with your friends and grill up some tasty burgers.

May 27 Cellophane Tape Day

Observed annually on May 27th is National Cellophane Tape Day. It is hard to imagine where we would be without this invention.

This common household and office item, which is also known as invisible tape or Scotch Tape, was invented by Richard Gurley Drew (June 22, 1899 – December 14, 1980). Drew joined the 3M Company in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1920, first inventing the masking tape in 1926, followed by the invention of the cellophane tape in 1930.

The Scotch brand and Scotch Tape are registered trademarks of 3M. Besides using Scotch as a prefix in its brand names (Scotchgard,Scotchlite, and Scotch-Brite), the company also used the Scotch name for its (mainly professional) audiovisual magnetic tape products, until the early 1990s when the tapes were branded solely with the 3M logo. 

May 27 Sun Screen Day

Today May 27 Sun Screen Day as a reminder to make sure you are properly protecting yourself from the sun, such as by keeping out of the rays at the hottest time of the day (11 am – 2pm), drinking plenty of liquids and, of course, wearing sun screen.

Did you know that there are many scientists that are credited with discovering modern sunscreen? In 1936, chemist Eugene Schueller invented a preventative sunburn cream, and went on to start L’Oreal. Around the same time, Swiss chemist Franz Greiter was inspired to develop a sun lotion after he was sunburned while climbing Mount Piz Buin. His product came to the market under the name Piz Buin in 1946, and is still sold today. In 1944, Florida pharmacist Benjamin Green patented Red Vet Pet sunscreen, which became Coppertone suntan cream and was very popular throughout the 1950s and still is today.

Sun screen defends the skin from damaging ultraviolet rays by forming a protective barrier – used properly, sun screen can help prevent skin cancer. Exposure to the sun also damages the skin and can worsen signs of ageing, so wearing sun screen will also keep your skin looking younger. 

May 26 Blueberry Cheesecake Day

Blueberry Cheesecake Day is observed on May 26th. cheesecake recipes can be traced all the way back to Ancient Greece, the flavored versions we know and love today are a fairly recent innovation. People have come up with all sorts of interesting and unique cheesecake flavors, but today is a celebration of the classic blueberry variety.

The type of cheese used to make cheesecake has a huge impact on the flavor and texture of this delicious dessert. American cheesecakes are made with cream cheese, Italian cheesecakes are made with ricotta, and German and Polish cheesecakes are made with “quark” cheese, which is a type of curd cheese.

Try these recipes:

The Best Blueberry Cheesecake

May 26 World Lindy Hop Day

People celebrate World Lindy Hop Day on every May 26. Also known as the jitterbug, Lindy Hop originated in Harlem, New York City in the 1920s and 1930s. After a decline in popularity in the 1950s, this form of swing music is back and infecting more and more followers with its undeniable vitality.

It’s an energetic dance that originated in black communities in Harlem, in New York City. If you want a true experience, try to seek out a venue with live big-band jazz. It’s fun, frenetic, occasionally frenzied, and is likely to leave you exhausted, but don’t worry: you only need to do it once every year.

A combination of different kinds of dances, including jazz, swing and tap, Lindy Hop is a two-person dance where the partners dance hand in hand or in an embrace to jazz music. Just as in jazz, there is some form of improvisation that takes place during the dance. 

May 25 Tap Dance Day

May 25 is National Tap Dance Day in the USA. Celebrations are held today nationwide and even in other counties, as in India, Australia, Japan and Iceland. Different activities are organized at schools and tap dancing studios. Everyone can attend master classes, street dancing flash mobs and concerts.

The brainchild of Carol Vaughn, Nicola Daval and Linda Christensen, National Tap Dance Day was first presented to U.S. Congress on February 7, 1989 and was signed into American Law by President George. H.W. Bush on November 8, 1989. The one-time official observance was on May 25, 1989. May 25 is the birthday of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a significant contributor to tap dance born in 1878. National Tap Dance Day has continued to be celebrated each year on May 25.

“Shim Sham Shimmy” is one of the popular tap dance routine and it is regarded as tap dance's national anthem. Everyone can learn this dance on National Tap Dance Day, as far many studios send people to the streets to teach passers-by. 

May 25 Wine Day

May 25 is National Wine Day. Wine has been an important part of human history and culture for thousands of years. Regardless of whether you prefer red, white, pinot, or cabernet, everyone can appreciate today’s celebration.

“Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes or other fruits. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, water, or other nutrients. Yeast consumes the sugars in the grapes and converts them into alcohol. Different varieties of grapes and strains of yeasts produce different types of wine.

In 1867, Archaeologists in Speyer, Germany discovered the oldest bottle of wine in existence while they were excavating two Roman stone sarcophaguses. It dates back to at least 325 AD. The bottle of wine is now on display at the History Museum of the Pfalz in Germany.

on this day, people enjoy a glass of their favorite wine with dinner, for dessert, with friends, at a restaurant, at home or at a wine-tasting event. 

May 24 Escargot Day

Escargot Day is observed on May 24. Escargot is a tasty appetizer made with land snails cooked in butter or wine. While the dish most likely originated in Ancient Roman times, escargot is usually associated with French cuisine. In fact, the French consume around 40,000 metric tons of snails each year.

The dish of Escargot is usually prepared by removing the land snails from their shells, cooking them with garlic, butter and wine. They are then placed back into their shells with the sauce for serving. The dish is served with a special fork and tong for easier dining. Farms producing Helix aspersa for sale exist in Europe and in the United States.

Escargot {es.kar.go} is the French word for snail. If you've never tasted escargot, National Escargot Day is a great reason to give them a try.

May 24 Scavenger Hunt Day

May 24 is Scavenger Hunt Day. Today is set aside as a day to enjoy the “good ol’ fashioned” fun of a scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts have become popular at weekend get to gether’s, parties, family gatherings and holidays, however, today would be a great day to have a scavenger hunt at the office or put one together for the neighborhood kids and let the fun begin.

A scavenger hunt is a game where individuals or teams compete to find items or perform tasks provided to them as a list by the organizers of the game. The aim of the game is for participants to fulfil the requirements on the list. Usually, at the end the hunt a grand prize awaits the first person/ team to reach the end of the list.

American gossip columnist, author, songwriter and professional hostess Elsa Maxwell (May 24, 1883 – November 1, 1963) is credited with the introduction of the scavenger hunt for use as a party game in the modern era.