4th September : Significance

Ever since the invention of the newspaper, there have been newspaper carriers. Those intrepid souls who bring out the latest hot sheet carrying the most recent news have used all sorts of methods to carry out their duties and bring us the best of stories. Whether they were standing on the street corner with a satchel or loading up their trusty Shetland pony with bags full of the daily rag, Newspaper Carrier Day holds them in the highest regard and shares their dedication with the world.

History of Newspaper Carrier Day

Newspaper Carrier Day was created to honor the efforts of the first newsboy hired in the United States by the Museum of the City of New York. It was in 1833 that 10-year-old Blarney Flaherty first picked up his load of papers, answering an advertisement for The Sun that specified that "steady men could apply. Benjamin Day decided that Flaherty fit the bill, and it was soon after that his cries of "Paper! Get your paper, here! were first heard calling out across the streets of the Big Apple. 180 years later Newspaper Carrier Day celebrates those intrepid souls who followed in his footsteps.

It's amazing to think about all of the people who were uplifted by this career as young boys, and the newest generation of newspaper carriers is no exception. The likes of James Cagney, Albert Einstein, even Isaac Asimov and Martin Luther King Jr had their start early in their lives carrying the local paper. It still serves as one of the first jobs young men and women will hold in many local communities, using their bikes to carry out paper routes to deliver the news to people all over their neighborhood. There's even a Newspaper Carrier Hall of Fame that was created in 1960 acknowledging some of history's most famous newspaper carriers, including those above and the likes of Warren buffer and John Wayne.

How to celebrate Newspaper Carrier Day

The best way to celebrate Newspaper Carrier Day is to thank your newspaper carrier. Whether that's by bringing them a hot cup of joe to warm their hands and their hearts as they go about their rounds, or slipping them a tip to thank them for their service. Remember that this boys and girls, men and women, have been working through the cold heart of winter and blazing sun of summer to bring you the daily news before you're up to get ready for work, show them you love them!

Every year we lose numerous species to the growth and expansion of human holdings, but through the effort of zoos, sanctuaries, and preservation organizations that rate is being slowed. These groups do amazing work, educating and bringing awareness to people everywhere, all while preserving these precious treasures from Mother Nature. Wildlife Day reminds us that there are creatures out there that cannot speak for themselves, so we have to stand up and be a voice for them. The animals will thank you for it, as will the generations to come who will still be able to enjoy them!

History of Wildlife Day

In September of 2006, the world suffered a terrible loss. Steve Irwin, known colloquially as "The Crocodile Hunter, died in an encounter with a sting ray that went horribly awry. These normally docile and peaceful creatures pack a powerful punch in their tail, and instead of swimming away as Steve expected, it instead attacked him with its stinger. After hundreds of strikes, Steve believed he had sustained only a punctured lung, but the stinger had actually managed to pierce his heart causing him to bleed out. So passed an amazing man from the world.

What does this have to do with Wildlife Day? Steve Irwin was an expert on animals, and spent much of his career working to bring attention to endangered species and aid conservation. In his honor National Wildlife Day reminds us that the animals of the world are a precious resource, and of the many zoos, sanctuaries, conservatories, and organizations that work together every year to help preserve them for future generations. If we don't start taking care of them now, we're going to lose them. Once an animal has gone extinct, they're lost forever to future generations, it's our responsibility not to let that happen.

How to celebrate Wildlife Day

Thankfully there are plenty of options to help support endangered animals, and Wildlife Day is a great opportunity to get out and do it! Almost every community has animal sanctuaries and zoos nearby, so take a trip with you, your family, and friends out to enjoy their exhibits. While you're there see what you can do to donate time and/or money, or even just spread the word about drives they're doing. You can even contact them ahead of time and work to help them organize an event, you can even go to the local library to hand out fliers to spread awareness!

National Macadamia Nut Day is observed annually on September 4th. Macadamia nuts, with their rich, buttery taste, are known by many to be one of the most delectable of all nuts. They originated in Australia and are named after physician and chemist, John Macadam, who encouraged the cultivation of the nuts in Australia.

Macadamia nuts are grown on trees resembling large evergreens and grow to 30 to 40 ft. high. Although they are native to Australia, most of today's world supply is grown in Hawaii. They were first commercially grown there in 1921. A few other places, such as Indonesia, South Africa, Central America and California also cultivate some of these tasty nuts.

Macadamia nuts are delicious when eaten raw and also when used in baked goods, especially cookies! They are also known for their health benefits. Like many nuts, macadamias are a rich source of energy, high in dietary fiber, gluten-free, high in mono-unsaturated fat, an excellent source of minerals and contain many important B-complex vitamins.

Hallowe'en can be a traumatic time for pets. Between the parties, costumes and bombardment of trick or treaters, the non-human components of your family can find themselves a little stressed out, which is one of the reasons to spend the days leading up to Hallowe'en comforting and reassuring them. Thank goodness, then, for Pet Rock Day, offering the perfect opportunity to pamper and spoil the special stone in your life.

Launched in the 1970s by advertising executive Gary Dahl, the pet rock was an antithesis to those living pets in need of regular care. It did, however, come with a mean "attack mode. For a mere $3.95 people could adopt their very own rock, supplied on a bed of hay in an well-ventilated box. Like all things, pet rocks are more expensive these days, but you could always catch a wild one for free just remember that undomesticated rocks may be more difficult to handle...