December 9, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 9

National Pastry Day National Pastry Day is celebrated each year on December 9. Pastry is a name given to a large variety of various baked goods which are typically made up of ingredients such as flour, sugar, milk, butter, shortening, baking powder and eggs. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

International Anti-corruption Day Corruption could be one of the biggest tragedies of mankind for the simple reason that it is ongoing and extremely difficult to combat, forcing the poor into ever more hopeless conditions while the select few in power get ever richer and more powerful. Bribes prevent chosen criminals from ever having to take responsibility for what they’ve done, politicians employ all of their cronies as as soon as the get into office, police officers cooperate with drug dealers, and anyone who dares object is either blackmailed into silence or “mysteriously” disappears. As of 2014, some of the most corrupted countries in the world are Haiti, Iraq, North Korea, Venezuela, Somalia and Afghanistan. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-anti-corruption-day/

Weary Willie Day This holiday was named for the character made famous by Emmett Kelly, who was born on this day in 1898. This is a day to appreciate the art of clowning and the impact that it has had on our lives. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

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December 8, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 8

National Chocolate Brownie Day Brownies, that rich, decadent, purely hedonistic blend of cake and cookie that feels amazing in your mouth and leaves you craving more. There’s a million different derivations of how to make these delicious treats, but there’s one thing they all have in common. Levels of chocolate so thick and rich they should be illegal. So popular are they that you can find them served as the foundation for sundaes, they can be found in milkshakes, and there’s even been breakfast cereal based on them. Brownie Day is your chance to get in and indulge in all that decadent goodness you’ve avoided the rest of the year, or at least an opportunity to go into some serious brownie overload. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/brownie-day/

Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day Being able to travel through time to a different age or era is the dream of many scientists, sci-fi enthusiasts, and even historians. After all, we spend so much of our lives hearing about what happened in the past, be it one hundred, one thousand, or one million years ago, that many of us would give anything to see the things that were happening then with our own eyes. But have you ever thought that one day there will be people who will look back and wish they could travel to our times? Or how many people there were living in the 18th century that would have loved to see what life would look like in 2015? If you’ve never thought about it that way, it’s time you did, as that attitude will allow you to see the world in a whole new light and enjoy Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day to the fullest. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pretend-to-be-a-time-traveler-day/


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December 7, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 7

National Cotton Candy Day Dating all the way back to the 1400’s when it was first called spun sugar, cotton candy has been a favorite treat of young and old alike at carnivals, fairs and the circus. Now December 7th celebrates this sugary delight as it is National Cotton Candy Day. Each year on December 7th, cotton candy lovers look forward to celebrating the day as they pull puffs of cotton candy from a stick or out of a bag and reminisce of their childhood days. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Each year on December 7, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed across the nation. This day is a day to honor all those those who lost their lives serving this nation at Pearl Harbor. There were more than 3,500 Americans that lost their lives or were wounded on that solemn day. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

International Civil Aviation Day International Civil Aviation Day is observed annually on December 7 and is an official recognized by the United Nations. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/international-civil-aviation-day-december-7/


http://www.famousbirthdays.com/december7.html

December 6, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 6

National Gazpacho Day National Gazpacho Day is celebrated across the United States each year on December 6. Gazpacho is typically a tomato-based vegetable soup which is served cold. Originating in the southern Spanish region of Andalucia, Gazpacho is widely consumed in Spanish cuisine, usually during the summer months. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Microwave Oven Day One day in 1945, as American self-taught engineer Percy Spencer was working on an active radar set, he realized that the candy bar he had in his pocket was melting. The radar had melted his chocolate bar with microwaves and it was right then, on that day, that the specific heating effect of a high-power microwave beam was accidentally discovered. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

National Pawnbrokers Day Having to visit a pawnbroker may not exactly be a sign that your life is as successful as it could be, but that by no means means that pawnbrokers have not been lifesavers on more than one occasion. When you need money, and you need it right now, with no time to wait for a bank to rethink whether it really wants to give you that loan 6 times, pawnbrokers are the only people you can count on. Pawnbrokers are also the reason why you don’t have to endure long, awkward monologues about how to manage your finances from the uncle who lent you $100 once every time your families meet for dinner. Still, it would seem that pawnbrokers get something of a bad rap—definitely undeserved, for the most part. And Pawnbrokers Day is here to change all that.
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pawnbrokers-day/

Miner's Day The men and women who spend every day digging in the earth are some of the greatest unsung heroes of industry and modern civilization. They dig deep into the darkest places in the world to bring out the riches that help to sustain our lifestyles. From the steel for our cars, to the copper wiring that binds together our digital world together, everything we think of as our modern lives and comforts exist on the back of these intrepid people. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/miners-day/

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December 5, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 5

National Sacher Torte Day Forget your diet on Sachertorte Day! Such is its ability to alleviate woes, create good vibes, impart feelings of luxurious decadence and make special occasions special, that it should have an entire week/month dedicated to it. Yes, Sachertorte deserves more than just a day! Look at it, say it: the word itself is magic: Sachertorte! Just writing it on your shopping list is a prelude to festivity, indulgence and culinary delight. Admire and desire its dark wanton voluptuousness as it poses seductively on the plate beckoning you to enter its world of sin. Impossible to resist! This is hardcore temptation at its most muscular level. Close your eyes as you take that first bite: turn-of-the-century Vienna pervades the senses, you can almost hear a Strauss waltz… Long live Sachertorte Day! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sachertorte-day/

AFL-CIO Day On December 5, 1955 the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merged into one labor organization. The AFL-CIO today is the largest federation of unions in the United States. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/afl-cio-day-december-5/

Bathtub Party Day These days, many people lead busy lives and simply do not take the time to enjoy a leisurely bath. However, soaking in a bathtub is a great way to relax and unwind and can help the body to heal itself if it is suffering from stress or conditions such as dry and flaky skin. In ancient Roman times, bathing was seen as a social occasion and special bathing parties were a regular occurrence that allowed people to bond while they discussed business or caught up on the latest gossip. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bathtub-party-day/

World Soil Day One annual celebration you might be forgiven for not participating in (or even knowing about) is World Soil Day. Yes, soil—as in that sticky brown stuff that gets walked all over your prized cream carpets. Sadly, it is our ignorance about the importance of soil and the degree to which we take advantage of all that it offers that have led to a drastic reduction in its quality the world over. These are precisely the problems World Soil Day aims to battle, as few things could be more important to us, the inhabitants of Planet Earth, who could never hope to survive without the land. Soil is one without a doubt of the most significant parts of the ecosystem, contributing to our food, water and energy and playing an important part in reducing the impact of climate change. For all of these reasons, it’s high time World Soil Day became known to more people than just scientists concerned about the welfare of our planet. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-soil-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/december5.html

December 4, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 4

National Cookie Day Cookies are sweet and full of all sorts of delicious goodness, from nuts to fruit to chocolate. They can be either delightfully crumbly or sinfully chewy. Not to mention that they keep forever if they are stored properly… There’s no doubt about: cookies more than deserve their own day, and that’s why Cookie Day is celebrated around the world in order to pay tribute to these delicious little treats. So grab some flour, butter and sugar, and let’s get celebrating, shall we? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cookie-day/

National Dice Day What do Monopoly, Backgammon, Dungeons & Dragons and Craps have in common? All are games that are played by using dice. These are six-sided cubes with dots, called pips, on each side, which are rolled or thrown to display a random number from 1 to 6 when they land. Dice have been used by mankind for countless years and have been found in the ruins of the most ancient civilisations. Originally made from animal bones and later wood, today’s dice are usually made from a plastic called cellulose acetate. National Dice Day is a time to enjoy using dice, whether in board-games or in gambling. Casinos all over the world offer special promotions and games on Dice Day involving these small and cleverly designed gaming pieces. Many people purchase special dice souvenirs on this day, such as the popular dice clock which has an arrangement of dice around its face in place of numbers. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dice-day/

World Wildlife Conservation Day The sad truth is that the world’s best loved, beautiful and fascinating species are being slaughtered by widespread and dangerous criminal networks that will stop at nothing to get what they want. And what they want are animal parts and products that for reasons no sane person really understands, are worth lots of money. There are plenty of synthetic substitutes for things like ivory and fur that don’t require the brutal slaughter of an animal to obtain, not to mention how hard it actually is to tell the difference between high-quality synthetic substitutes and the real thing. And do you mean to tell me no other dish in the world tastes as good as shark fin soup, and that we really have to mutilate live sharks and then throw them back into the ocean to die? Long story short, there is simply no excuse for the amount of animals being poached every year. And yet they are. In 2011 alone, for example, there were 13 large-scale seizures of ivory, and over 23 tons of ivory confiscated, which is equivalent to at least 2,500 elephants. A 2010 United Nations report suggests that gorillas could disappear altogether from large parts of the Congo Basin by the mid-2020s. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-wildlife-conservation-day/

Wear Brown Shoes Day Bored of wearing black shoes? Wear Brown Shoes Day might be the answer! Shake things up a little and turn up to work or school wearing brown shoes, and be the envy of all your friends! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/wear-brown-shoes-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/december3.html

December 3, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 3

International Day of Persons With Disabilities Disability Day, or the International Day of People with Disability, is a day that has been promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The aim of Disability Day is to encourage a better understanding of people affected by a disability, together with helping to make people more aware of the rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people, as well as raise awareness about the benefits of integrating disabled persons into every aspect of life, from economic, to political, to social and cultural. Disability Day is not concerned exclusively with either mental or physical disabilities, but rather encompasses all known disabilities, from Autism to Down Syndrome to Multiple Sclerosis. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/disability-day/

Roof Over Your Head Day Many of us take for granted the fact that we have shelter readily available, and that we can choose to spend time indoors under a solid roof to avoid wet or unpleasant weather. Roof Over Your Head Day draws attention to those who are not so fortunate, and reminds us to be appreciative of the little luxuries we enjoy. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/roof-over-your-head-day/

Make A Gift Day Dull greeting cards, gift vouchers and last-minute gifts aren’t the most exciting present to receive for Christmas. Go a step further for a friend or family member, and take part in Make A Gift Day by hand-making something for someone in your life. It doesn’t matter if it’s not perfect, or if it’s not expensive – it’s the gesture that counts! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/make-a-gift-day/

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December 2, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 2

National Fritters Day Fresh, tart fruit or savoury vegetables shallow fried in delicious batter – what more could you ask for to celebrate Fritters Day? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fritter-day/

National Mutt Day Each year on July 31st and December 2nd, National Mutt Day is celebrated across the United States. This day was created as a day to embrace, save and celebrate mixed breed dogs. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Special Education Day Special Education Day marks the anniversary of our nation’s first federal special education law which was signed by President Gerald Ford on December 2, 1975. This law is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

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December 1, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 1

National Pie Day Each year on December 1, dessert lovers across the United States celebrate National Pie Day. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Eat a Red Apple Day Apples are delicious and nutritious, as well as being incredibly varied – we only tend to eat a few varieties, however. Start small, and expand your apple horizon by eating a red apple on Eat A Red Apple Day. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/eat-a-red-apple-day/

Giving Tuesday takes place on the Tuesday directly after American Thanksgiving, which in turn takes place on the 4th Thursday of November. Giving Tuesday was created to help the “giving season” get started, reminding people that there is more to holidays than consumerism and commercialization. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/giving-tuesday/

Rosa Parks Day Rosa Parks Day is an American holiday celebrated on February 4 or December 1 in honor of the civil rights leader Rosa Parks. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

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December 1, 2015

Economist Has Convincing Theory on How Extreme Inequality Creates Extremist Violence

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/30/economist-has-convincing-theory-how-extreme-inequality-creates-extremist-violence

Influential French economist Thomas Piketty is begging important questions this week after positing a theory that the rise of the Islamic State (or ISIS) can be attributed, at least in part, to extreme regional inequality in the Middle East fueled largely by oil wealth.

Piketty argues in a column published Le Monde last week and translated by the Washington Post on Monday that the concentration of wealth in the hands of just a few petro-monarchies has made the region the "most unequal on the planet."

In those states, Piketty says, the have-nots, including women and refugees, are often kept in a state of "semi-slavery." This, combined with a series of foreign interventions, have created what he described as a "powder keg" for terrorism.

The Post notes that "Piketty is particularly scathing when he blames the inequality of the region, and the persistence of oil monarchies that perpetuate it, on the West."