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Today is March 25 2015

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

National Lobster Newburg Day: More
Pecan Day (also Apr. 14) More
International Waffle Day (the waffle not the waffle iron) More
Våffeldagen (Waffle Day) in Sweden More

Other celebrations/observances today:
  • National Medal of Honor Day: More
    Dedicated to all Medal of Honor recipients (3,468). First given this day, in 1863. There are three different medals: One for the Army, one for the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and one for the Air Force.
  • National Tolkien Reading Day: More
    Since 2003 by the 'Tolkien Society' to encourage reading. The 25th was the date of the fall of Sauron in Tolkien’s 'The Lord of the Rings'.
  • Manatee Appreciation Day: More
    Last Wednesday of March
  • Maryland Day: More
    Maryland state holiday. Celebrates the landing of European settlers in 'Province of Maryland', one of three colonies at that time.
  • International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade: More
    'This year’s Day of Remembrance pays particular tribute to the many women who suffered and died during the slave trade.'
  • International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members: More
    A U.N. day. 'As of 21 March 2014, 56 United Nations personnel remained in detention and 4 United Nations and associated personnel abducted by non-State actors remain in captivity'
  • National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy: More
    A 1987 a presidential proclamation. It begins 'Among Greece's most cherished and revered contributions to mankind are the ideals of freedom and democracy. Because these ideals have played a central role in the history of our Nation, it is most fitting that we observe a day in celebration of Greek independence and of our shared love of democracy.'
Events in the past on: March 25
  • In 421, The beautiful city of Venice, Italy, is founded at 12 noon.
    From Wikipedia: 'Venice is a city in northeastern Italy sited on a group of 117 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. It is located in the marshy Venetian Lagoon which stretches along the shoreline, between the mouths of the Po and the Piave Rivers. Parts of Venice are renowned for the beauty of their settings, their architecture, and artwork. A part of the city is listed as a World Heritage Site, along with its lagoon.'

    'The traditional founding is identified with the dedication of the first church, that of San Giacomo on the islet of Rialto (Rivoalto, "High Shore") — said to have taken place at the stroke of noon on 25 March 421 (the Feast of the Annunciation)'.
    - At FamousDaily.com: More
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1863, Congress made the Medal of Honor a permanent decoration.
    From Wikipedia: 'The Medal of Honor is the United States of America's highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. The medal is awarded by the President of the United States in the name of the U.S. Congress to U.S. military personnel only. There are three versions of the medal, one for the Army, one for the Navy, and one for the Air Force. Personnel of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard receive the Navy version

    The Medal of Honor was created as a Navy version in 1861 named the "Medal of Valor", and an Army version of the medal named the "Medal of Honor" was established in 1862 to give recognition to men who distinguished themselves "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity" in combat with an enemy of the United States. Because the medal is presented "in the name of Congress," it is often referred to as the "Congressional Medal of Honor". However, the official name is the "Medal of Honor," which began with the U.S. Army's version. Within United States Code the medal is referred to as the "Medal of Honor", and less frequently as "Congressional Medal of Honor".'

    The Medal of Honor is usually presented by the President in a formal ceremony at the White House, intended to represent the gratitude of the American people, with posthumous presentations made to the primary next of kin. According to the Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States, there have been 3,514 Medals of Honor awarded to the nation's soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen since the decoration's creation, with just less than half of them awarded for actions during the four years of the American Civil War.]

    In 1990, Congress designated March 25 annually as "National Medal of Honor Day". Due to its prestige and status, the Medal of Honor is afforded special protection under U.S. law against any unauthorized adornment, sale, or manufacture, which includes any associated ribbon or badge.'

    'Medals of Honor were authorized for officers of the Army (37th Congress, Third Session, 12 Stat. 751). The Secretary of War first presented the Medal of Honor to six Union Army volunteers on March 25, 1863 in his office'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1954, At the 26th Academy Awards:
    From Wikipedia: More
    Best Picture is, From Here to Eternity
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Actor is William Holden for 'Stalag 17'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Actress is Audrey Hepburn for 'Roman Holiday'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Supporting Actor is Frank Sinatra for 'From Here to Eternity'
    Best Supporting Actress is Donna Reed for 'From Here to Eternity'
    Best Song is Secret Love from 'Calamity Jane'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- On YouTube: More
  • In 1960, Roy Orbison recorded 'Only the Lonely'.
    From Wikipedia: '"Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)" is a 1960 song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. Orbison's recording of the song, produced by Fred Foster for Monument Records, was the first major hit for the singer. As an operatic rock ballad, it was a sound unheard of at the time except It's Now or Never by Elvis Presley, described by the New York Times as expressing "a clenched, driven urgency". seen as a seminal event in the evolution of rock and roll. Released as a 45rpm single by Monument Records in May 1960, "Only the Lonely" went to No. 2 on the United States Billboard pop music charts on 25 July 1960 (blocked by Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry") and No. 14 on the Billboard R&B charts. "Only the Lonely" reached Number One in the charts. "Only the Lonely" reached Number One in the United Kingdom, a position it achieved on 20 October 1960, staying there for two weeks (out of a total of 24 weeks spent on the UK singles chart from 28 July 1960). The personnel on the original recording included Orbison's session regulars Buddy Harman on drums, Floyd Cramer on piano and Bob Moore on bass, with Hank Garland and Harold Bradley on guitar.

    In 1999, "Only the Lonely" was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 232 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1961, Elvis Presley performed his last live show for the next eight years in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The show raised $62,000 for the U.S.S. Arizona memorial fund.
    From Wikipedia: 'The USS Arizona Memorial, located at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on USS Arizona (BB-39) during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 and commemorates the events of that day. The attack on Pearl Harbor and the island of O?ahu was the action that led to the United States' direct involvement in World War II.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1963, The Beach Boys released the album 'Surfin' U.S.A.'.
    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".

    Billboard ranked "Surfin' U.S.A." the number 2 song of 1963. It has since become emblematic of the California Sound. The song "Surfin' U.S.A." is part of the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1967, The Turtle's 'Happy Together' goes #1 on The Billboard Hot 100.
    From Wikipedia: '"Happy Together" is a 1967 song from The Turtles' album of the same name. Released in February 1967, the song knocked The Beatles' "Penny Lane" out of the number one slot for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the group's only chart-topper. "Happy Together" reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1967. The song was written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon, former members of a band known as The Magicians. The song had been rejected a dozen times before it was offered to The Turtles, and the demo acetate was worn out'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1979, The first fully functional space shuttle orbiter, Columbia, is delivered to the John F. Kennedy Space Center to be prepared for its first launch.
    From Wikipedia: 'Construction began on Columbia in 1975 at Rockwell International's (formerly North American Aviation/North American Rockwell) principal assembly facility in Palmdale, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. Columbia was named after the historical poetic name for the United States of America, like the explorer ship of Captain Robert Gray and the Command Module of Apollo 11, the first manned landing on another celestial body. Columbia was also the female symbol of the United States. After construction, the orbiter arrived at Kennedy Space Center on March 25, 1979, to prepare for its first launch. Columbia was originally scheduled to lift off in late 1979, however the launch date was delayed problems with both the SSME components, as well as the thermal protection system (TPS). On March 19, 1981, during preparations for a ground test, workers were asphyxiated while working in Columbia's nitrogen-purged aft engine compartment, resulting in (variously reported) two or three fatalities'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1982, the first broadcast of 'Cagney and Lacey' premiers on TV.
    From Wikipedia: 'Cagney & Lacey is an American television series that originally aired on the CBS television network for seven seasons from March 25, 1982 to May 16, 1988. A police procedural, the show stars Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless as New York City police detectives who lead very different lives: Christine Cagney (Gless) was a single, career-minded woman, while Mary Beth Lacey (Daly) was a married working mother. The series was set in a fictionalized version of Manhattan's 14th Precinct (known as "Midtown South"). For six consecutive years, one of the two lead actresses won the Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Drama (four wins for Daly, two for Gless), a winning streak unmatched in any major category by a show'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1985 At the 57th Academy Awards:
    From Wikipedia: More
    Best Picture is, Amadeus
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Actor is F. Murray Abraham for 'Amadeus'
    Best Actress is Sally Field for 'Places in the Heart'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Supporting Actor is Haing S. Ngor for 'The Killing Fields'
    Best Supporting Actress is Peggy Ashcroft for 'A Passage to India'
    Best Song is Purple Rain from 'Purple Rain'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- On YouTube: More
  • In 1991, At the 63rd Academy Awards:
    From Wikipedia: More
    Best Picture is, Dances with Wolves
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Actor is Jeremy Irons for Reversal of Fortune
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Actress is Kathy Bates for 'Misery'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Supporting Actor is Joe Pesci for 'Goodfellas'
    Best Supporting Actress is Whoopi Goldberg for 'Ghost'
    Best Song is Sooner or Later from 'Dick Tracy'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- On YouTube: More
  • In 1996, At the 68th Academy Awards:
    From Wikipedia: More
    Best Picture is, Braveheart
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Actor is Nicolas Cage for 'Leaving Las Vegas'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Actress is Susan Sarandon for 'Dead Man Walking'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Supporting Actor is Kevin Spacey for 'The Usual Suspects'
    Best Supporting Actress is Mira Sorvino for 'Mighty Aphrodite'
    Best Song is Colors of the Wind from 'Pocahontas'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- On YouTube: More
  • In 2001, At the 73rd Academy Awards:
    From Wikipedia: More
    Best Picture is, Gladiator
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Actor is Russell Crowe for 'Gladiator'
    Best Actress is Julia Roberts for 'Erin Brockovich'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Supporting Actor is Benicio del Toro for 'Traffic'
    Best Supporting Actress is Marcia Gay Harden for 'Pollock'
    Best Song is Things Have Changed from 'Wonder Boys'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- On YouTube: More
  II.
Henry's Heads Up! - previous days social media post (updated daily)

Several food holidays tomorrow.
- 'National Lobster Newburg Day'. Lobster, butter, cream, cognac, sherry, eggs and cayenne pepper.
- 'Pecan Day'. There is another one in April.
[The Hankster says] Salute to the Texas State Tree, since 1919.
- 'International Waffle Day' This is the waffle itself. the invention of the Waffle Iron is celebrated as 'National Waffle Day' in Aug.
- 'Våffeldagen (Waffle Day) in Sweden'.

Tomorrow is 'National Medal of Honor Day'. Dedicated to all U.S. Medal of Honor recipients (3,468). First given this day, in 1863. There are three versions: One for the Army, one for the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and one for the Air Force.
[The Hankster says] Thanks.

Tomorrow is 'National Tolkien Reading Day'. Since 2003 by the 'Tolkien Society' to encourage reading. The 25th was the date of the fall of Sauron in Tolkien’s 'The Lord of the Rings'.

An animal awareness day tomorrow. It will be 'Manatee Appreciation Day'. Last Wednesday of March. Columbus wrote in his log of the Manatee. He thought they must be, what sailors called Mermaids and couldn't understand all the rumors of the beauty they were said to possess.

For you Marylanders out there. Tomorrow is 'Maryland Day'. Maryland state holiday. Celebrates the landing of European settlers in 'Province of Maryland', one of three colonies at that time.

Awareness days tomorrow.
- 'International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade'. 'This year’s Day of Remembrance pays particular tribute to the many women who suffered and died during the slave trade.'
- 'International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members'. A U.N. day. 'As of 21 March 2014, 56 United Nations personnel remained in detention and 4 United Nations and associated personnel abducted by non-State actors remain in captivity'

Celebrate democracy tomorrow on 'National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy'. A 1987 presidential proclamation. it begins: 'Among Greece's most cherished and revered contributions to mankind are the ideals of freedom and democracy. Because these ideals have played a central role in the history of our Nation, it is most fitting that we observe a day in celebration of Greek independence and of our shared love of democracy.'

Thomas J. Watson once said 'If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good.'
[The Hankster says] Many men and women throughout history have stood up for what they believe. It may not be what you believe, but you can do the same. You could do the same on this March 25 as others did on March 25 in the past. Research think, question, reformulate if necessary, and only then speak.

In 421, The city of Venice, Italy, is founded at 12 noon.

In 1821 – (Julian Calendar) Traditional date of the start of the Greek War of Independence.

In 1913, The 'Palace' theatre, the premiere venue for vaudeville acts, opens.

In 1954, At the 26th Academy Awards,
- Best Motion Picture is 'From Here to Eternity'.
- Best Actor is William Holden for 'Stalag 17'.
- Best Actress is Audrey Hepburn for 'Roman Holiday'.
- Best Supporting Actor is Frank Sinatra for 'From Here to Eternity'.
- Best Supporting Actress is Donna Reed for 'From Here to Eternity'.
- Best Original Song is 'Secret Love' from 'Calamity Jane'.

In 1960, Roy Orbison recorded 'Only the Lonely'.

In 1961, Elvis Presley performed his last live show for the next eight years in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The show raised $62,000 for the U.S.S. Arizona memorial fund.

In 1963, The Beach Boys released the album 'Surfin' U.S.A.'.

In 1967, The Turtle's 'Happy Together' goes #1 on The Billboard Hot 100.

In 1979, The first fully functional space shuttle orbiter, Columbia, is delivered to the John F. Kennedy Space Center to be prepared for its first launch.

In 1982, the first broadcast of 'Cagney and Lacey' premiers on TV.

In 1985 At the 57th Academy Awards,
- Best Picture is 'Amadeus'.
- Best Actor is F. Murray Abraham for 'Amadeus'.
- Best Actress is Sally Field for 'Places in the Heart'.
- Best Supporting Actor is Haing S. Ngor for 'The Killing Fields'.
- Best Supporting Actress is Peggy Ashcroft for 'A Passage to India'.
- Best Original Song is 'Purple rain'.

In 1990, At the 10th Golden Raspberry Awards,
- Worst Picture is 'Star Trek V: The Final Frontier'.
- Worst Actor is William Shatner in 'Star Trek V: The Final Frontier'.
- Worst Actress is Heather Locklear in 'The Return of Swamp Thing'.
- Worst Original Song is ''Let's Go!' from 'A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child'.

In 1991, At the 63rd Academy Awards,
- Best Picture is 'Dances with Wolves'.
- Best Actor is Jeremy Irons for 'Reversal of Fortune'.
- Best Actress is Kathy Bates for 'Misery'.
- Best Supporting Actor is Joe Pesci for 'Goodfellas'.
- Best Supporting Actress is Whoopi Goldberg for 'Ghost'.
- Best Original Song is 'Sooner or Later' from 'Dick Tracy'.

In 1996, At the 68th Academy Awards,
- Best Picture is 'Braveheart'.
- Best Director is Nicolas Cage for 'Leaving Las Vegas'.
- Best Actor is Nicolas Cage for 'Leaving Las Vegas'.
- Best Actress is Susan Sarandon for 'Dead Man Walking'.
- Best Supporting Actor is Kevin Spacey for 'The Usual Suspects'.
- Best Supporting Actress is Mira Sorvino for 'Mighty Aphrodite'.
- Best Original Song is 'Colors of the Wind' from 'Pocahontas'.

In 2000, At the 20th Golden Raspberry Awards,
- Worst Picture is 'Wild Wild West'.
- Worst Actor is Adam Sandler in 'Big Daddy'.
- Worst Actress is Heather Donahue in 'The Blair Witch Project'.
- Worst Original Song is 'Wild Wild West' from 'Wild Wild West'.

In 2001, At the 73rd Academy Awards,
- Best Picture is 'Gladiator'.
- Best Actor is Russell Crowe for 'Gladiator'.
- Best Actress is Julia Roberts for 'Erin Brockovich'.
- Best Supporting Actor is Benicio del Toro for 'Traffic'.
- Best Supporting Actress is Marcia Gay Harden for 'Pollock'.
- Best Original Song is 'Things Have Changed' from 'Wonder Boys'.

 III.
Top Song & Movie 50 years ago today (last updated Mar 6 2015 next Mar 27 2015

No. 1 song

  • Eight Days a Week - The Beatles: More
    'This Diamond Ring' has been displaced by 'Eight Days a Week', which will hold the no. 1 spot until March 27 1965, when 'Stop! In the Name of Love', takes over.

Top movie

  • The Sound of Music More
    Having displaced 'The Greatest Story Ever Told', it will be there until the weekend box office of April 11 1965 when, 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VadngOGKlP0', takes over.
  IV.
Today in the Past (reference sites): March 25
   V.
This month March 2015 (updated once a month - last updated - March 1 2015)

Food Holiday:
Bell Peppers and Broccoli Month
Berries and Cherries Month
Exotic Winter Fruit and Leeks and Green Onions Month
National Celery Month
National Flour Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Noodle Month
National Nutrition Month
National Peanut Month
National Sauce Month

Other:
American Diabetes Alert Month
American Red Cross Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Child Life Month
Colic Awareness Month
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month
Dolphin Awareness Month
Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science and Engineering Month
Hemophilia Month
Honor Society Awareness Month
Humorists are Artists Month
International Listening Awareness Month
International Mirth Month
Irish-American Heritage Month
Kidney Month
Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month
Music in our Schools Month
National Athletic Trainers Month
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Craft Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Essential Tremor Awareness Month
National Ethics Awareness Month
National Eye Donor Month
National Flower Month
National Kidney Month
National March Into Literacy Month
National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
National Poison Prevention Awareness Month
National Problem Gambling Awareness Month
National Professional Social Worker's Month
National Social Work Month
National Women's History Month
Red Cross Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Save Your Vision Month
Trisomy Awareness Month


March is:

March origin (from Wikipedia):
'The name of March comes from Latin Martius, the first month of the earliest Roman calendar. It was named for Mars, the Roman god of war who was also regarded as a guardian of agriculture and an ancestor of the Roman people through his sons Romulus and Remus. '

March 'is the third month of the year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It is one of seven months that are 31 days long. In the Northern Hemisphere, the meteorological beginning of spring occurs on the first day of March. The March equinox on the 20th or 21st marks the astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, where September is the seasonal equivalent of the Northern Hemisphere's March. '

March 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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