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Today is February 17 2015

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   I.
Today's Holidays and Historical Events (updated daily)
Today's Food Holiday

National Cafe au Lait Day: More
World Cabbage Day More

Other celebrations/observances today:
  • Mardi Gras : More
  • My Way Day: More
  • National Random Acts of Kindness Day: More
    Originally in Sept in NZ. There are 'Kindness' days in Nov. also. The 'Random Acts of Kindness Foundation's weekly celebration.'
  • World Human Spirit Day: More
    On the day in 1600 that philosopher Giordano Bruno died. He was known for the 'free thought' movement.
  • National PTA Founders Day: More
    Founded in 1897.
  • National Champion Crab Races Day: More
    On YouTube: More
Events in the past on: February 17
  • In 1863, A group of citizens of Geneva founded an International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, which later became known as the International Committee of the Red Cross.
    From Wikipedia:' 'Up until the middle of the 19th century, there were no organized and well-established army nursing systems for casualties and no safe and protected institutions to accommodate and treat those who were wounded on the battlefield.

    In June 1859, the Swiss businessman Henry Dunant travelled to Italy to meet French emperor Napoléon III with the intention of discussing difficulties in conducting business in Algeria, at that time occupied by France. When he arrived in the small town of Solferino on the evening of 24 June, he witnessed the Battle of Solferino, an engagement in the Franco-Austrian War. In a single day, about 40,000 soldiers on both sides died or were left wounded on the field. Henry Dunant was shocked by the terrible aftermath of the battle, the suffering of the wounded soldiers, and the near-total lack of medical attendance and basic care. He completely abandoned the original intent of his trip and for several days he devoted himself to helping with the treatment and care for the wounded. He succeeded in organizing an overwhelming level of relief assistance by motivating the local population to aid without discrimination.

    Back in his home in Geneva, he decided to write a book entitled A Memory of Solferino which he published with his own money in 1862. He sent copies of the book to leading political and military figures throughout Europe. In addition to penning a vivid description of his experiences in Solferino in 1859, he explicitly advocated the formation of national voluntary relief organizations to help nurse wounded soldiers in the case of war. In addition, he called for the development of international treaties to guarantee the neutrality and protection of those wounded on the battlefield as well as medics and field hospitals.

    On 9 February 1863 in Geneva, Henry Dunant founded the "Committee of the Five" (together with four other leading figures from well-known Geneva families) as an investigatory commission of the Geneva Society for Public Welfare. Their aim was to examine the feasibility of Dunant's ideas and to organize an members of this committee, aside from Dunant himself, were Gustave Moynier, lawyer and chairman of the Geneva Society for Public Welfare; physician Louis Appia, who had significant experience working as a field surgeon; Appia's friend and colleague Théodore Maunoir, from the Geneva Hygiene and Health Commission; and Guillaume-Henri Dufour, a Swiss Army general of great renown. Eight days later, the five men decided to rename the committee to the "International Committee for Relief to the Wounded". In October (26–29) 1863, the international conference organized by the committee was held in Geneva to develop possible measures to improve medical services on the battle field'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1864. During the American Civil War, The H. L. Hunley (Confederate) becomes the first submarine to engage and sink a warship, the USS Housatonic (Union).
    From Wikipedia:' 'The H. L. Hunley was a submarine of the Confederate States of America that played a small part in the American Civil War. The Hunley demonstrated the advantages and the dangers of undersea warfare. She was the first combat submarine to sink a warship, although the Hunley was not completely submerged and, following her successful attack, was lost along with her crew before she could return to base. The Confederacy lost 21 crewmen in three sinkings of the Hunley during her short career. She was named for her inventor, Horace Lawson Hunley, shortly after she was taken into government service under the control of the Confederate States Army at Charleston, South Carolina.'.

    'On February 17, 1864, The Hunley attacked and sank the 1240-short ton (1124 metric tons) screw sloop USS Housatonic, which had been on Union blockade-duty in Charleston's outer harbor. Soon afterwards, the Hunley sank, killing all eight of her third crew. This time, the ship was lost.'.

    'Finally located in 1995, the Hunley was raised in 2000 and is on display in North Charleston, South Carolina, at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center on the Cooper River. Examination, in 2012, of recovered Hunley artifacts suggests that the submarine was as close as 20 feet to her target, the Housatonic, when her deployed torpedo exploded, which eventually caused the sub's own loss'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1936, The world's first superhero, 'The Phantom', makes his first appearance in comics.
    From Wikipedia:' 'The Phantom is a long-running American adventure comic strip, first published by Mandrake the Magician creator Lee Falk in February 1936. The main character, the Phantom, is a fictional costumed crime-fighter who operates from the fictional African country of Bangalla. The character has been adapted for television, film and video games.'

    'The series began with a daily newspaper strip on February 17, 1936, followed by a color Sunday strip on May 28, 1939; both are still running as of 2016. In 1966, King Features stated that The Phantom was being published in 583 newspapers worldwide. At its peak, the strip was read by over 100 million people daily'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1958, The comic strip 'BC' first appears.
    From Wikipedia:' 'B.C. is a daily American comic strip created by cartoonist Johnny Hart. Set in prehistoric times, it features a group of cavemen and anthropomorphic animals from various geologic eras. B.C. made its newspaper debut on February 17, 1958, and was among the longest-running strips still written and drawn by its original creator when Hart died at his drawing board in Nineveh, New York on April 7, 2007. Now, the strip is produced by Hart's grandsons Mason Mastroianni (head writer and cartoonist) and Mick Mastroianni (writer for both B.C. and Hart's other creation, The Wizard of Id), and Hart's daughter Perri (letterer and colorist). The Mastroianni Brothers also created an original strip, The Dogs of C Kennel, in 2009. It is syndicated by Creators Syndicate'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1959, Vanguard 2 – The first weather satellite is launched to measure cloud-cover distribution.
    From Wikipedia:' 'Vanguard 2 or Vanguard II is an Earth-orbiting satellite launched February 17, 1959, aboard a Vanguard SLV 4 rocket as part of the United States Navy's Project Vanguard. The success of this launch was an important part of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Vanguard 2 took the first photo of earth from a satellite and was also the first weather satellite. The satellite was designed to measure cloud- cover distribution over the daylight portion of its orbit, for a period of 19 days, and to provide information on the density of the atmosphere for the lifetime of its orbit (about 300 years).

    As of July 21, 2015, Vanguard 2 was still in orbit'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1962, The Beach Boys introduced a new musical style with their hit 'Surfin'.
    From Wikipedia:' '"Surfin' U.S.A." is a song with lyrics by Brian Wilson set to the music of "Sweet Little Sixteen," written by Chuck Berry. It was first recorded by Wilson's band the Beach Boys and released as a single on March 4, 1963, then appearing as the title track to their album Surfin' U.S.A. Also produced by Wilson, the single peaked at number two in the chart of the Music Vendor trade paper (within a year renamed Record World) and at number three on the Billboard and Cash Box charts'. It was backed with "Shut Down".
    More
    On YouTube: More
  • In 1965, The U.S. 'Ranger 8' is launched, which transmits 7,137 lunar pictures.
    From Wikipedia:' 'Ranger 8 was a lunar probe in the Ranger program, a robotic spacecraft series launched by NASA in the early and mid-1960s to obtain the first close-up images of the Moon's surface. These pictures helped select landing sites for future Apollo missions and were used for scientific study. During its 1965 mission, it transmitted 7,137 lunar surface photographs before it crashed into the Moon as planned'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1982, Thelonious Monk, the founder of bebop and modern jazz, dies.
    From Wikipedia:' 'Thelonious Sphere Monk (October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser" "Ruby, My Dear", "In Walked Bud", and "Well, You Needn't". Monk is the second-most recorded jazz composer after Duke Ellington, which is particularly remarkable as Ellington composed more than 1,000 pieces, whereas Monk wrote about 70.'

    'Monk is one of five jazz musicians to have been featured on the cover of Time, after Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, and Duke Ellington, and before Wynton Marsalis'.
    More
    On YouTube: More
  II.
Henry's Heads Up! - previous days social media post (updated daily)

We have two food holidays tomorrow.
First is 'National Cafe au Lait Day'.
[The Hankster says] For those who do not speak French, that's Coffee with Milk.
Second is 'World Cabbage Day More
[The Hankster says] Great source of vitamin C and K. For me, a must with seafood (coleslaw), a probable with BBQ (coleslaw) and a delight in soup. And, of course, you can't make Corned Beef and Cabbage without it. A childhood favorite was Pigs in a Blanket or Pig in a Poke as my father called it. It was seasoned chopped beef and rice wrapped in cabbage leaves.

Duck!, here come the beads. Tomorrow is 'Mardi Gras '.

Barring a small contusion from flying beads, you can have your own way tomorrow on 'My Way Day'.
[The Hankster says] Yep, that was my first guess also, but it has nothing to do with the song by Old Blue Eyes.

It will be 'National Random Acts of Kindness Day'. Originally in Sept in NZ. There are 'Kindness' days in Nov. also. The 'Random Acts of 'Kindness Foundation's weekly celebration.'

Clear your brain. Tomorrow is 'World Human Spirit Day'. On the day in 1600 that philosopher Giordano Bruno died. He was known for the 'free thought' movement.

Tomorrow is 'National PTA Founders Day'. Founded in 1897.

Get hold of your sporting spirit. Tomorrow is 'National Champion Crab Races Day'.
[The Hankster says] If you still fear the scandal related in Mr. Twain's, 'Jumping Frog of Calaveras County', this race may be far less susceptible to tampering. Crabs are placed (under an upside down bowl) in a contest ring marked on the sand. When let go the first to the edge, wins.

James A. Baldwin once said 'I am what time, circumstance, history, have made of me, certainly, but I am also, much more than that. So are we all.'
[The Hankster says] How true. Each minute of each hour of each day we can make a change. Hopefully for the better. Let us see if back on February 17 in the past, 'spur of the moment' or well thought out decisions were made based on what to our ancestors was their past and thus their base.

In 1864. During the American Civil War, The H. L. Hunley (Confederate) becomes the first submarine to engage and sink a warship, the USS Housatonic (Union).

In 1904, Giacomo Puccini's opera 'Madame Butterfly' had its world premiere at La Scala in Milan, Italy.

In 1933, 'Newsweek' magazine begins publication.

In 1936, The world's first superhero, 'The Phantom', makes his first appearance in the comics. Superman didn't come along until 1938.

In 1958 - The comic strip 'BC' first appears.

In 1962, The Beach Boys introduced a new musical style with their hit 'Surfin'.

In 1965, The U.S. 'Ranger 8' is launched, which transmits 7,137 lunar pictures.

In 1982, Thelonious Monk, the founder of bebop and modern jazz, dies.

 III.
Top Song & Movie 50 years ago today

No. 1 song

  • You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - The Righteous Brothers: More
    'Downtown' has been displaced by 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'', which will hold the no. 1 spot until February 27 1965, when 'This Diamond Ring', takes over.

Top movie

  • My Fair Lady, (returns) More
    Having displaced '36 Hours', it will be there until the weekend box office of February 27, 1965 when, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told', takes over.
  IV.
Today in the Past (reference sites): February 17
   V.
This month February 2015 (updated once a month - last updated - February 1 2015)

Food Holiday:
Berry Fresh Month Canned Food Month Celebration of Chocolate Month Great American Pie Month National Cherry Month National Grapefruit Month National Fiber Focus Month National Fondue Month National Hot Breakfast Month National Snack Food Month Potato Lover’s Month Sweet Potato Month Other:
American Heart Month An Affair to Remember Month Black History Month Creative Romance Month National Children’s Dental Health Month National Heart Healthy Month National Weddings Month


February is:

February origin (from Wikipedia):
'The Roman month Februarius was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 (full moon) in the old lunar Roman calendar. January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar, since the Romans originally considered winter a monthless period. They were added by Numa Pompilius about 713 BC. February remained the last month of the calendar year until the time of the decemvirs (c. 450 BC), when it became the second month. At certain intervals February was truncated to 23 or 24 days, and a 27-day intercalary month, Intercalaris, was inserted immediately after February to realign the year with the seasons. Under the reforms that instituted the Julian calendar, Intercalaris was abolished, leap years occurred regularly every fourth year, and in leap years February gained a 29th day. Thereafter, it remained the second month of the calendar year, meaning the order that months are displayed (January, February, March, ..., December) within a year-at-a-glance calendar. Even during the Middle Ages, when the numbered Anno Domini year began on March 25 or December 25, the second month was February whenever all twelve months were displayed in order. The Gregorian calendar reforms made slight changes to the system for determining which years were leap years and thus contained a 29-day February.'

February is the second month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It is the shortest month and the only month with fewer than 30 days. The month has 28 days in common years or 29 days in leap years.
February is the third month of meteorological winter in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, February is the third month of summer (the seasonal equivalent of August in the Northern Hemisphere, in meteorological reckoning).

February at Wikipedia: More

  VI.
TV fifty years ago 1965 (updated yearly - last updated Jan. 1 2015)

If you couldn't afford 90 cents for a movie ticket, 50 years ago, or your 45 RPM record player was broke, you might watch one of these shows on TV.
From this Wikipedia article: More

 VII.
Best selling books fifty years ago (updated yearly - last updated Jan. 1 2015)

Best selling books of 1965 More

VIII.
Fun (Last link added October 1 2014, but content on each site may change daily)
  • Astronomy Picture of the Day: More
  • NOAA: - National Hurricane Center - Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook: More
  • Listen to Old Radio Shows: (streaming mp3 with schedule) More
  • NASA TV: (video feed) More
    NASA TV schedule: More
  • Public Domain eBook Links

    Sites for downloading or reading free Public Domain eBooks. Available in various formats. More

  • Podcast: A Moment of Science. Approximately 1 minute general science facts.
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Podcast: The Naked Scientists. Current science, medicine, space and other science
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Podcast: Quirks & Quarks. Current science news.
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Articles and videos: Universe Today. Current space and astronomy news.
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Old Picture of the Day - "Each day we bring you one stunning little glimpse of history in the form of a historical photograph."
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  IX.
Other Holiday Sites (Last link added October 1 2014. Link content changes yearly)

Below, are listed several holiday sites that I reference in addition to other holiday researches.


US Government Holidays

  • 2015 Postal Holidays More
  • 2015 Official Federal Holidays More

Holidays Worldwide

  • List of holidays by country More
  • Holidays and Observances around the World More
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