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Today is April 1 2015

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

National Sourdough Bread Day: More

Other celebrations/observances today:
  • National One Cent Day: More
    This is about the U.S. penny
  • April Fools Day: More
    The earliest known reference in print is in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales of 1392.
  • National Walking Day: More
    First Wednesday in April
  • International Fun at Work Day: More
    April Fools work fun day. If Apr 1 falls on weekend, then the first Thursday in April
  • National Day of Hope: More
    Since 1999. First day of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. First Wednesday of April
  • Reading Is Funny Day: More
    Reading can be fun day.
  • Edible Book Day: More
    Since 2000. They are created, displayed and then ate. On the birthday of birthday of French gastronome Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826).
  • International Tatting Day: More
    Tatting is the art of making delicate, elegant tatted lace.
  • Paraprofessional Appreciation Day: More
    Noting the contributions of paraprofessionals, especially in education.
  • Sorry Charlie Day: More
    A day to remember poor Charlie the Tuna and anyone who always comes out on the short end of the stick.
  • Whole Grain Sampling Day: More
    Concerning the health benefits of whole gram food.
Events in the past on: April 1
  • In 1826, Samuel Morey granted first patent for internal combustion engine.
    From Wikipedia: 'Samuel Morey (October 23, 1762 – April 17, 1843) was an American inventor, who worked on early internal combustion engines and was a pioneer in steamships who accumulated a total of 20 patents.'

    'During his experiments, Morey discovered that the vapor of turpentine, when mixed with air, was explosive. He recognized its potential, developed an engine, and wrote an unpublished description in 1824, which he modified in 1825 and 1826. He finally published and patented the idea later in that year. The revisions between the drafts are small, and deal mostly with reworking of the engine’s valves'.
    - At FamousDaily.com:: More
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1873, The White Star steamer 'RMS Atlantic' sinks off Nova Scotia, killing 547 in the worst marine disaster of the 19th century.
    From W=ikipedia: 'On 20 March 1873 Atlantic departed on her 19th voyage from Liverpool with 952 people on board, of whom 835 were passengers. En route, the captain decided to make port at Halifax, Nova Scotia to replenish coal for the boilers. During the approach to Halifax on the evening of 31 March, the captain and 3rd officer were on the bridge until midnight, while Atlantic made her way through a storm, proceeding at 12 knots (22 km/h) for the entrance of Halifax harbour, experiencing intermittent visibility and heavy seas. Unbeknownst to the crew or passengers, Atlantic was approximately 12 1/2 miles (20.1 km) off-course to the west of Halifax Harbour. Officers failed to take soundings, post a masthead lookout, reduce speed or wake the captain as they approached the unfamiliar coast. They someho did not spot the Sambro Lighthouse, the large landfall lighthouse which warns mariners of the rocky shoals to the west of the harbour entrance.

    At 3:15 a.m. local time on 1 April 1873, Atlantic struck an underwater rock off Marr's Head, Meagher's Island (now Mars Head, Mars Island), Nova Scotia. Lifeboats were lowered by the crew but were all washed away or smashed as the ship quickly filled with water and partially capsized. Survivors were forced to swim or climb ropes first to a wave-swept rock and then to a barren shore. Residents of th fishing village of Lower Prospect and Terence Bay soon arrived to rescue and shelter the survivors, but at least 535 people died, leaving only 371 survivors. The ship's manifest indicates that of the 952 aboard, 156 were women and 189 were children on board (including two who had been born during the voyage)'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - At Wikipedia: More
  • In 1918, The Royal Air Force is created by the merger of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.
    From W=ikipedia: 'While the British were not the first to make use of heavier-than-air military aircraft, the RAF is the world's oldest independent air force: that is, the first air force to become independent of army or navy control. It was founded on 1 April 1918, with headquarters located in the former Hotel Cecil, during the First World War, by the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). At that time it was the largest air force in the world. After the war, the service was drastically cut and its inter-war years were relatively quiet, with the RAF taking responsibility for the control of Iraq and executing a number of minor actions in other parts of the British E mpire. The RAF's naval aviation branch, the Fleet Air Arm, was founded in 1924 but handed over to Admiralty control on 24 May 1939.

    The RAF developed the doctrine of strategic bombing which led to the construction of long-range bombers and became its main bombing strategy in the Second World War'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1924, The Royal Canadian Air Force is formed.
    From W=ikipedia: 'The RCAF traces its history to the Canadian Air Force which was formed in 1920. The Canadian Air Force was incorporated in 1923 and granted royal sanction in 1924 by King George V'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1957, The BBC broadcasts the spaghetti tree hoax on its current affairs programme Panorama.
    From W=ikipedia: 'The spaghetti-tree hoax was a three-minute hoax report broadcast on April Fools' Day 1957 by the BBC current-affairs programme Panorama, purportedly showing a family in southern Switzerland harvesting spaghetti from the family "spaghetti tree". At the time spaghetti was relatively little known in the UK, so that many Britons were unaware that it is made from wheat flour and water; a number of viewers afterwards contacted the BBC for advice on growing their own spaghetti trees. Decades later CNN called this broadcast "the biggest hoax that any reputable news establishment ever pulled"'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1960, The TIROS-1 satellite transmits the first television picture from space.
    From W=ikipedia: 'TIROS, or Television Infrared Observation Satellite, is a series of early weather satellites launched by the United States, beginning with TIROS-1 in 1960. TIROS was the first satellite that was capable of remote sensing of the Earth, enabling scientists to view the Earth from a new perspective: space. The program, promoted by Harry Wexler, proved the usefulness of satellite weather observation, at a time when military reconnaissance satellites were secretly in development or use. TIROS demonstrated at that time that "the key to genius is often simplicity".

    The 270 lb (122 Kg) satellite was launched into a nearly circular low earth orbit by a Thor Able rocket. Drum-shaped with a 42 inch (1.1 m) diameter, and height of 19 inches (48 cm), the TIROS satellite carried two six-inch (15 cm) long television cameras. e'

    'The satellite itself was stabilized in its orbit by spinning like a gyroscope. When it first separated from the rocket's third stage, it was spinning at about 136 revolutions per minute (rpm). To take unblurred photographs, a de-spin mechanism slowed the satellite down to 12 rpm after the orbit was accomplished.

    The camera shutters made possible the series of still pictures which were stored and transmitted back to earth via 2-watt FM transmitters as the satellite approached one of its ground command points. After transmission, the tape was erased or cleaned and readied for more recording'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  II.
Henry's Heads Up! - previous days social media post (updated daily)

Tomorrow's food holiday will be 'National Sourdough Bread Day'.
[The Hankster says] One of my favorites. I love the crusty artisan breads.

Tomorrow we honor the lowly penny It will be 'National One Cent Day'.
[The Hankster says] This is about the U.S. penny, not a One Cent Sale, so ladies calm down.

Tomorrow is of course 'April Fools Day'. The earliest known reference in print is in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales of 1392.
[The Hankster says] If I have to explain this one, you don't have a funny bone.

Today (on Mar. 31) we went walking in the park, Tomorrow you can apparently walk anywhere you want, always obeying the policeman, of course Tomorrow is 'National Walking Day'. First Wednesday in April

I'm sure you are going to play some joke tomorrow at work. It's OK, tomorrow is 'International Fun at Work Day'. April Fools work fun day. If Apr 1 falls on weekend, then the first Thursday in April

Awareness days tomorrow.
- 'National Day of Hope'. Since 1999. First day of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. First Wednesday of April
- 'Reading Is Funny Day'. Reading can be fun with the kids day.
-'Paraprofessional Appreciation Day'. Noting the contributions of paraprofessionals, especially in education.
- 'Whole Grain Sampling Day'. Concerning the health benefits of whole gram food.

Why not combine reading and eating. Tomorrow is 'Edible Book Day'. Since 2000. They are created, displayed and then ate. On the birthday of birthday of French gastronome Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826).

You ladies that are good with a needle, tomorrow is 'International Tatting Day'. Tatting is the art of making delicate, elegant tatted lace.

Ray Bradbury once wrote 'If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go into business, because we'd be cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.'
[The Hankster says ] Let us see who took the bull by the horns and figured how to get off safely later. We may find someone back on April 1 in the past.

In 1826, Samuel Morey granted first patent for internal combustion engine.

In 1873, The White Star steamer 'RMS Atlantic' sinks off Nova Scotia, killing 547 in the worst marine disaster of the 19th century.

In 1918, The Royal Air Force is created by the merger of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.

In 1924, The Royal Canadian Air Force is formed.

In 1957, The BBC broadcasts the spaghetti tree hoax on its current affairs programme Panorama. This was an April Fools joke in which the BBC broadcast the harvesting of spaghetti from spaghetti trees. Yes, many Britains fell for it.

In 1960, The TIROS-1 satellite transmits the first television picture from space.

In 1976, The Jovian–Plutonian gravitational effect, soon revealed as an April Fools' Day hoax, is first reported by British astronomer Patrick Moore. Another BBC (radio) April Fools joke. Pluto was to come in alignment with Jupiter (true). When this happened and if anyone on Earth jumped up at that exact time, diminished gravity would allow one to jump higher than normal (false). Yes, many listeners called in to say that they had experience the effect.

In 1979, Iran becomes an Islamic republic by a 99% vote, officially overthrowing the Shah.

In 2012, At the 32nd Golden Raspberry Awards,
- Worst Picture is 'Jack and Jill ('.
- Worst Actor is Adam Sandler in 'Jack and Jill'.
- Worst Actress is Adam Sandler in 'Jack and Jill'.

 III.
Top Song & Movie 50 years ago today (last updated Mar 27 2015 next Apr 3 2015

No. 1 song

  • Stop! In the Name of Love - The Supremes: More
    'Eight Days a Week' has been displaced by 'Stop! In the Name of Love', which will hold the no. 1 spot until Apr 3 1965, when 'Can't You Hear My Heartbeat', 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): April 1
   V.
This month April 2015 (updated once a month - last updated - April 1 2015)

Food Holiday:
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Florida Tomato Month
National Food Month
National Garlic Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Pecan Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month

Other:
Alcohol Awareness Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Community Spirit Days
Counseling Awareness Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Genocide and Human Rights Awareness Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Informed Woman Month
International Amateur Radio Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Library Snapshot Month
Listening Awareness Month
Mathematics Education Month
Month of the Military Child
Month of the Young Child
Multicultural Communication Month
National African American Women's Fitness Month
National Anxiety Month
National Autism Awareness Month
National Cancer Control Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Decorating Month
National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Frog Month
National Garden Month
National Greyhound Adoption Month
National Heartworm Awareness Month
National Humor Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Landscape Architecture Month
National Minority Health Month
National Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National Occupational Therapy Month
National Parkinson's Awareness Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Safe Digging Month
National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
National Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)'s Education and Awareness Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Welding Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Parliamentary Law Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Physical Wellness Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
School Library Media Month
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month of Action
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Habitat Awareness Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month


April is:

April origin (from Wikipedia):
'The Romans gave this month the Latin name Aprilis but the derivation of this name is uncertain. The traditional etymology is from the verb aperire, 'to open', in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to 'open', which is supported by comparison with the modern Greek use of (anoixis) (opening) for spring. Since some of the Roman months were named in honor of divinities, and as April was sacred to the goddess Venus, her Veneralia being held on the first day, it has been suggested that April was the second month of the earliest Roman calendar, before Ianuarius and Februarius were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC. It became the fourth month of the calendar year (the year when twelve months are displayed in order) during the time of the decemvirs about 450 BC, when it also was given 29 days. The 30th day was added during the reform of the calendar undertaken by Julius Caesar in the mid-40s BC, which produced the Julian calendar.'

April 'is commonly associated with the season of spring in parts of the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in parts of the Southern Hemisphere, where it is the seasonal equivalent to October in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa.'

April 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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