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Today is April 13 2015

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

National Peach Cobbler Day: More

Other celebrations/observances today:
  • National Scrabble Day: More
    Celebrated on the birthday of the games inventor, Alfred Mosher Butts, born on April 13, 1899.
  • National Thomas Jefferson Day: More
    Birthday of the 3rd President of the U.S. in 1743. Presidential Proclamation 2276, of Mar 21, 1938.
  • International Plant Appreciation Day: More
  • Experience Week: More
    First day by 'Into the Blue' 1996. Fulfill your dream experience.
  • World Allergy Week: More
    First day 13-19. From the website: 'The World Allergy Organization (WAO) is addressing the need for greater awareness and understanding of allergy topics as well as the exchange of ideas and collaboration in order to address treatment and quality-of-life issues related to the care of patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma.'
Events in the past on: April 13
  • In 1912, The British Royal Flying Corps forms. It becomes the RAF (Royal Air Force) in 1918.
    From Wikipedia: 'The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the air arm of the British Army before and during the First World War, until it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service on 1 April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force. During the early part of the war, the RFC supported the British Army, by artillery co- operation and photographic reconnaissance.

    With the growing recognition of the potential for aircraft as a cost-effective method of reconnaissance and artillery observation, the Committee of Imperial Defence established a sub-committee to examine the question of military aviation in November 1911. On 28 February 1912 the sub-committee reported its findings which recommended that a flying corps be formed and that it consist of a naval wing, a military wing, a central flying school and an aircraft factory. The recommendations of the committee were accepted and on 13 April 1912 King George V signed a royal warrant establishing the Royal Flying Corps. The Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers became the Military Wing of the Royal Flying Corps a month later on 13 May'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1943, The Jefferson Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C., on the 200th anniversary of President Thomas Jefferson's birth.
    From Wikipedia: Kingdom of France, first U.S. Secretary of State under the first President George Washington, the second Vice President of the United States under second President John Adams, and also the third President (1801–1809), as well as being the founder of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Virginia.'

    'The Jefferson Memorial was officially dedicated by President Roosevelt on April 13, 1943, the 200th anniversary of Jefferson's birthday. At that time, Evans' statue had not yet been finished. Due to material shortages during World War II, the statue that was installed at the time was a plaster cast of Evans' work painted to look like bronze. The finished bronze statue was installed in 1947, having been cast by the Roman Bronze Company of New York'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1953, Ian Fleming publishes the first James Bond novel, 'Casino Royale'.
    From Wikipedia: 'Casino Royale is the first novel by the British author Ian Fleming. Published in 1953, it is the first James Bond book, and it paved the way for a further eleven novels and two short story collections by Fleming, followed by numerous continuation Bond novels by other authors.

    The story concerns the British secret agent James Bond, gambling at the casino in Royale-les-Eaux to bankrupt Le Chiffre, the treasurer of a French union and a member of the Russian secret service. Bond is supported in his endeavours by Vesper Lynd, a member of his own service, as well as Felix Leiter of the CIA and René Mathis of the French DeuxièmeBureau'.
    - At FamousDaily: More
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube (1967 movie trailer): More
    - On YouTube (2006 movie trailer): More
  • In 1960, The United States launches 'Transit 1-B'. It is the world's first satellite navigation system.
    From Wikipedia: 'The TRANSIT system, also known as NAVSAT or NNSS (for Navy Navigation Satellite System), was the first satellite navigation system to be used operationally. The system was primarily used by the U.S. Navy to provide accurate location information to its Polaris ballistic missile submarines, and it was also used as a navigation system by the Navy's surface ships, as well as for hydrographic survey and geodetic surveying. Transit provided continuous navigation satellite service from 1964, initially for Polaris submarines and later for civilian use as well.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1961, At the 3rd Annual Grammy Awards:
    At Wikipedia: More
    - Record of the Year is 'Theme From A Summer Place
     -- At Wikipedia: More
     -- On YouTube: More
    -Album of the Year is 'The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart'
     -- At Wikipedia: More
     -- On YouTube: More
    - Song of the Year is 'Theme of Exodus'
     -Theme of Exodus at Wikipedia: More
     =Theme of Exodus on YouTube: More
    - Best new Artist is Bob Newhart
  • In 1964, At the 36th Academy Awards:
    From Wikipedia: More
    Best Picture is, Tom Jones
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Actor is Sidney Poitier for 'Lilies of the Field'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Actress is Patricia Neal for 'Hud'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- At Internet Movie Database IMDb: More
    -- On YouTube: More
    Best Supporting Actor is Melvyn Douglas for 'Hud'
    Best Supporting Actress is Margaret Rutherford for 'The V.I.P.s'
    Best Song is Call Me Irresponsible from 'Papa's Delicate Condition'
    -- At Wikipedia: More
    -- On YouTube: More
  • In 1965, At the 7th Grammy Awards:
    At Wikipedia: More
    - Record of the Year is 'The Girl from Ipanema'
     -- At Wikipedia: More
     -- On YouTube: More
    Album of the Year is 'Getz/Gilberto'
     -- Getz/Gilberto at Wikipedia: More
     -- Getz/Gilberto on YouTube: More
    Song of the Year is 'Hello, Dolly'
     -- Hello, Dolly at Wikipedia: More
     -- Hello, Dolly on YouTube: More
    Best new Artist is The Beatles
  • In 1976, The United States Treasury Department reintroduces the two-dollar bill as a Federal Reserve Note on Thomas Jefferson's 233rd birthday as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration.
    From Wikipedia: 'On April 13, 1976, the Treasury Department reintroduced the $2 bill as a cost-saving measure. Series 1976 $2 bills were redesigned and issued as a Federal Reserve Note. The obverse design remains basically unchanged since 1928 and features the same portrait of Jefferson. A green treasury seal and serial numbers replace the red used on the previous United States Notes. Since the reissue of the bill coincided with the United States Bicentennial, it was decided to use a bicentennial themed design on the reverse. An engraved rendition of John Trumbull's The Declaration of Independence replaced Monticello on the reverse. First day issues of the new $2 bills could be taken to a post office and stamped with the date ŎAPR 13 1976Ŏ. In all, 590,720,000 notes from Series 1976 were printed'.
    - 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 Peach Cobbler Day'.
[The Hankster says] The term cobbler, mostly likely comes from the fact that in old times, the stewed filling was covered with biscuits or dumplings. They would form together and resembled a cobbled street. Forming the top in that way is also referred to as cobbling. And what of the Peaches? The biggest Peach Cobbler was made in 2007 and contained: 90 lbs of butter, 150 lbs of sugar, 150 lbs of flour, 32 gallons of milk and 75 gallons of peaches.

Tomorrow is 'National Scrabble Day'. Celebrated on the birthday of the games inventor, Alfred Mosher Butts, born on April 13, 1899.
[The Hankster says] Stop licking your lips. We are talking Scrabble, not Scrapple. The game would be OK, if it wasn't for the spelling part. Perhaps there will be a Google Doodle version one day on which you can use the 'Did you mean...'.

Tomorrow is 'National Thomas Jefferson Day'. Birthday of the 3rd President of the U.S. in 1743. Presidential Proclamation 2276, of Mar 21, 1938.

'International Plant Appreciation Day' occurs tomorrow.
[The Hankster says] Talk softly or even play some classical music to plants tomorrow or even postpone that trimming you were going to do.

Tomorrow is the first day OD 'Experience Week' by the 'Into the Blue' organization since 1996. Fulfill your dream experience.
[The Hankster says] Sort of a bucket list thing.

An awareness day tomorrow. It will be 'World Allergy Week'. First day 13-19. From the website: 'The World Allergy Organization (WAO) is addressing the need for greater awareness and understanding of allergy topics as well as the exchange of ideas and collaboration in order to address treatment and quality-of-life issues related to the care of patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma.'

Mark Twain once wrote 'Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.'
[The Hankster says] Going with the crowd may not be the right thing. Mobs and rallies of all sorts are at least temporary majorities. Let us look back at April 13 in the past and see if we can find the free thinkers, the enlightened followers or the propagandize.

In 1796, The 'Crowninshield Elephant', is the first ever elephant in America. It was shipped from Bengal, India.

In 1902, James C. Penney opens his first store in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

In 1912, The British Royal Flying Corps forms. It becomes the RAF (Royal Air Force) in 1918.

In 1943, The Jefferson Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C., on the 200th anniversary of President Thomas Jefferson's birth.

In 1953, Ian Fleming publishes the first James Bond novel, 'Casino Royale'.

In 1960, The United States launches 'Transit 1-B'. It is the world's first satellite navigation system.

In 1961, At the 3rd Annual Grammy Awards,
- Record of the Year is 'Theme From A Summer Place'.
- Album of the Year is 'The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart'.
- Song of the Year is 'Theme of Exodus'.
- Best new Artist is Bob Newhart.

In 1964, At the 36th Academy Awards,
- Best Picture is 'Tom Jones'.
- Best Actor is Sidney Poitier for 'Lilies of the Field'.
- Best Actress is Patricia Neal for 'Hud'.
- Best Supporting Actor is 'Melvyn Douglas for 'Hud'.
- Best Supporting Actress is Margaret Rutherford for 'The V.I.P.s'.
- Best Original Song is 'Call Me Irresponsible' from 'Papa's Delicate Condition'.

In 1965, At the 7th Grammy Awards,
- Record of the Year is 'The Girl from Ipanema'.
- Album of the Year is 'Getz/Gilberto'.
- Song of the Year is 'Hello, Dolly'.
- Best new Artist is The Beatles.

In 1970, An oxygen tank aboard Apollo 13 explodes, putting the crew in great danger and causing major damage to the spacecraft while en route to the Moon.

In 1976, The United States Treasury Department reintroduces the two-dollar bill as a Federal Reserve Note on Thomas Jefferson's 233rd birthday as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration.

 III.
Top Song & Movie 50 years ago today (last updated corr. Apr 15 2015 next Apr 18 2015

No. 1 song

  • Can't You Hear My Heartbeat - Herman's Hermits: More
    'Stop! In the Name of Love' has been displaced by 'Can't You Hear My Heartbeat', which will hold the no. 1 spot until Apr 10 1965, when 'I'm Telling You Now', 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 13
   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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