Archives for January 2025

Have YOU heard? January 9th is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It started in 2015 to show support for our officers in blue. Fun fact: the first organized police force in America began in Boston in 1838 with just six full-time officers. Today, there are over 800,000 police officers serving communities across the nation! On January 9, 1934, archaeologists discovered the remains of a 10,000-year-old giant ground sloth in New Mexico! These prehistoric creatures were the size of modern elephants and stood up to 20 feet tall on their hind legs. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007. But here’s what most people don’t know: the iPhone shown during that famous presentation wasn’t fully functional! The prototype was so fragile that Jobs had to follow a very specific demo sequence to prevent it from crashing. Talk about a high-stakes performance! Want to hear something truly amazing? On this day in 1793, Jean-Pierre Blanchard completed the first successful hot air balloon flight in North America! He carried a letter from George Washington, making it the first-ever air mail delivery in America. 💚🎤 #haveyouheard

Have YOU heard? January 8th is National Winter Skin Relief Day. Perfect timing, right? This day reminds us to take care of our skin during the harsh winter months. Fun fact: human skin sheds about 600,000 particles of skin every hour! That’s why your mother always told you to moisturize! On this day in 1889, Dr. Herman Hollerith received a patent for his “Electronic Tabulating Machine” – the grandfather of modern computers! This incredible invention used punch cards to process data and was first used to tabulate the 1890 U.S. Census. It reduced the processing time from 7 years to just 2.5 years! Talk about a time-saver! Today is National English Toffee Day! This buttery confection actually isn’t English at all. The American version is made with almonds, while traditional English toffee doesn’t include nuts at all. Who knew we were putting our own spin on this sweet treat? On January 8th, 1835, the U.S. national debt was $0 for the first and only time in history! President Andrew Jackson had paid off the entire national debt. Now that’s something you don’t see every day! It’s also National Bubble Bath Day! The first recorded use of soap bubbles for entertainment dates back to the 17th century in paintings by Dutch artists. They used bubble-blowing as a symbol of the fleeting nature of life. Pretty deep for something so fun, right? Did you know that on January 8, 1943, inventor Richard James was working with tension springs when he accidentally knocked one off a shelf? He watched in amazement as it “walked” down instead of falling, and that’s how the Slinky was born! The first 400 Slinkys sold out within 90 minutes at their debut in 1945. Today, over 300 million Slinkys have been sold worldwide! Hey baby, Elvis Presley was born on this day in 1935! But here’s something you might not know – he was actually a twin! His brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn, making Elvis a twinless twin. The King never forgot his brother and often spoke about wondering how different life would have been with him around. 💚🎤 #haveyouheard

Have YOU heard? January 7, 1927, the first transatlantic telephone service was established between New York and London? Imagine the excitement when people could finally hear voices across the ocean! The service cost a whopping $75 for just three minutes – that’s about $1,200 in today’s money! Talk about an expensive phone call! January 7th is National Bobblehead Day! These quirky collectibles actually date back to the 1760s in Germany, where they were called “nodders.” But it wasn’t until the 1960s that sports teams started creating bobbleheads of their players, launching these wobbling wonders into pop culture history! Today is also International Programming Beast Day! It celebrates the world’s first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace, who wrote the first algorithm intended for a machine back in the 1840s. She was doing computer programming before computers even existed! How’s that for being ahead of her time? January 7th is Old Rock Day! No, not the musical kind – we’re talking about actual rocks! Geologists worldwide celebrate this day by studying and appreciating ancient rocks and fossils. On this day in 1894, W.K. Dickson received a patent for motion picture film. Without his invention, you wouldn’t be watching this video right now! Talk about a game-changer! 💚🎤 #haveyouheard

Have YOU heard? Today in 1907, the first commercial flight in the United States took place, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. Imagine the excitement and wonder as people witnessed this groundbreaking event! And speaking of excitement, today is National Shortbread Day! This buttery, crumbly cookie is a beloved treat around the world, and today is the perfect day to indulge in its deliciousness. But that’s not all! Today is also National Cuddle Up Day. So grab your loved ones, your pets, or even just a cozy blanket, and enjoy some warm and fuzzy moments. Now, let’s delve into some quirky trivia. Did you know that the world’s smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat, weighing in at a mere 2 grams? That’s lighter than a penny! And finally, a bit of holiday cheer. Today is Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day. It’s a Christian holiday that commemorates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. In many cultures, it’s celebrated with colorful parades, festive meals, and the exchange of gifts. 💚🎤 #haveyouheard

Have YOU heard? January 3rd is National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day? 🍒🍫 Whether you love them or avoid them, these sweet treats are a holiday favorite! First made in the 1920s, chocolate-covered cherries have become a popular candy for holidays and special occasions. So, why not grab a box and indulge today? January 3rd also marks the anniversary of the first known use of the word “robot” back in 1920! The term came from a Czech play called R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots). It was an exploration of the future of artificial intelligence and automation. Fast forward a century later, and robots are everywhere in our homes and workplaces. 🤖 Today is National Fruitcake Toss Day – If you’ve ever been stuck with leftover fruitcake after the holidays, today’s the day to get rid of it in the most fun way possible—by tossing it! It’s the perfect opportunity to let go of things that no longer serve you. Whether you toss it outside or into the trash, it’s a day to celebrate clearing out the old and making room for the new! National Drinking Straw Day – Here’s a fun one to remember! On January 3rd, we celebrate the drinking straw. It was patented back in 1888, originally made out of paper, and has become a must-have in nearly every drink we enjoy. Today is the day to raise a glass (with a straw, of course) and appreciate this humble invention! Today is National Spaghetti Day 🍝! Did you know spaghetti has been around for over 200 years? Whether you enjoy it with marinara, meatballs, or just a sprinkle of cheese, January 3rd is the perfect excuse to dive into a delicious bowl of pasta. It’s a meal that brings people together, so share it with friends or family and make some tasty memories! 💚🎤 #haveyouheard

Have YOU heard? January 2nd is the day when the first edition of the New York Times was published back in 1851? Imagine reading the newspaper without all the headlines we see today! It was originally known as the New-York Daily Times and it’s now one of the most widely-read newspapers in the world. Makes you wonder what news is going to break today, right? Did you know that January 2nd is also the birthday of the first human ever to appear in space? Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was born on this day in 1934. He made history in 1961 as the first person to travel into outer space, and his story inspired generations of space enthusiasts! It’s National Science Fiction Day, a day to celebrate all things sci-fi! From Star Trek to Star Wars, science fiction has sparked imaginations for decades. Whether you love aliens, time travel, or futuristic inventions, today’s the day to dive into a good sci-fi book or movie. Who knows? You might just get inspired to invent something out of this world! And it’s also National Buffet Day! Whether it’s a family gathering or a special occasion, buffets are a fun way to serve up a little bit of everything. You get to choose from a smorgasbord of foods, and it’s a great way to try new things or stick to your favorites. Today’s the perfect day to indulge in a buffet if you’re craving a variety of flavors! Isaac Asimov, the legendary science fiction writer, was born today in 1920. He’s best known for his Foundation series and his rules of robotics, which have had a major impact on the way we think about artificial intelligence. His stories shaped the genre and continue to inspire fans of science fiction. And if you’re in the mood for something a little different, how about National Cream Puff Day? These delicious pastries filled with whipped cream or custard are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Did you know they’ve been a favorite since the 1800s? A treat that never goes out of style! 💚🎤 #haveyouheard

Have YOU heard? January 1st wasn’t always the first day of the year? The ancient Romans were the ones to officially set January 1st as the start of the year—way back in 45 B.C.! Before that, different cultures celebrated the New Year on various dates. Can you imagine ringing in the New Year at different times of the year? And speaking of New Year’s, here’s a fun one: 80% of people who make New Year’s resolutions break them by February. But hey, don’t let that discourage you! Let’s make 2025 the year we keep our promises and set some new goals. Who’s with me? January 1st is not only New Year’s Day, but it’s also National Hangover Day! For those who include and over indulge in adult beverages you know what I’m talking about. Whether you had a late night celebrating or just need a moment to rest, today is a reminder to take care of yourself, relax, and recover from those New Year’s Eve celebrations. It’s also Global Family Day! A day to appreciate the families we have, the bonds we share, and the love that holds us all together. Whether it’s spending time with loved ones, playing games, or enjoying a meal, let’s take this day to be thankful for our families! Let’s give a big shout-out to some famous people born on January 1st! * First up, we have J.R.R. Tolkien (1892), the genius behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His world-building has captivated generations and inspired countless stories and movies! Have YOU heard? Around the world, people celebrate New Year’s Day with delicious dishes that symbolize good luck, health, and prosperity. In Spain, it’s a tradition to eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for each chime of the clock. It’s believed to bring good luck for each month of the coming year. So, don’t forget to grab those grapes and make a wish for every bite! In the southern U.S., many people enjoy a dish of black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, believed to bring prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead. It’s a tasty and lucky tradition! 💚🎤 #haveyouheard