Today is May 4 2015

National Orange Juice Day: More
National Candied Orange Peel Day More

• International Star Wars Day: More
  May the 4th be with you.
• National Weather Observers Day: More
• Renewal Day : More
• Petite And Proud Day: More
  For those under 5 ft 4 inches.
• World Giving Day: More
  From the web site: 'The prompt is: “Small gift, big impact: tell us about a time when you saw a small act of giving create lots of unexpected joy.”'.

• Health
  • Deaf Awareness Week More
    In Great Britain. From the web site: 'Theme ‘Connect and Communicate’ aims to help everyone better understand the issues that deaf people can have relating to others.'
  • Misophonia Monday More
    In Great Britain. Mmisophonia/selective sound sensitivity syndrome.
• Animal and Pets
  • Be Kind to Animals Week More
    Since 1915.
  • Bird Day More
    From Wikipedia: 'Bird Day is a holiday established by Oil City, Pennsylvania school superintendent Charles Babcock in 1894. It was the first holiday in the United States dedicated to the celebration of birds. Babcock intended it to advance bird conservation as a moral value. It is celebrated on May 4 of every year.'
  • International Respect for Chickens Day More
    Since 2005 by the United Poultry Concerns. A protest for chicken farm conditions.
• Other
  • National Occupational Safety and Health Week More
    First day of May 4-15 event. From Wikipedia: 'North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week is held every year during the first full week of May to raise awareness about occupational safety, health and the environment (SH&E) in an effort to prevent work injuries and illnesses. The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) partners with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) to raise public awareness about safety in the workplace in North America during NAOSH week.'
  • International Firefighters' Day More
    From the web site: '“The role of a firefighter in today’s society – be it urban, rural, natural environment, volunteer, career, industrial, defence force, aviation, motor sport, or other is one of dedication, commitment and sacrifice – no matter what country we reside and work in. In the fire service we fight together against one common enemy – fire – no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear or what language we speak.”' – Lt JJ Edmondson, 1999.
  • In Screen-Free Week More
    From Wikipedia: 'Screen-Free Week (formerly TV Turnoff Week and Digital Detox Week) is an annual event where children, families, schools and communities are encouraged to turn off screens and 'turn on life' Instead of relying on television programming for entertainment, participants read, daydream, explore, enjoy nature, and spend time with family and friends. Over 300 million people have taken part in the turnoff, with millions participating each year.'
  • National Library Legislative Day More
    From the web site: 'Want to support federal funding for our nation’s libraries? Stand up for libraries this year by registering for the American Library Association’s 41st annual National Library Legislative Day, a two-day advocacy event where hundreds of library supporters, leaders and patrons meet with members of Congress in Washington, D.C.'
  • PTA Teacher Appreciation Week More
    From the web site: 'Teachers play a key role in student success and sometimes a simple “thanks” is all a teacher needs to feel valued. Take the time to celebrate your students’ teachers during 2015 PTA Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8.'

• In 1626, Dutch explorer Peter Minuit arrives in New Netherland (present day Manhattan Island) aboard the See Meeuw.
  From Wikipedia: 'Manhattan is the most densely populated borough of New York City, its economic and administrative center, and the city's historical birthplace. The borough is coterminous with New York County, founded on November 1, 1683 as one of the state's original counties. The borough consists mostly of Manhattan Island, bounded by the East, Hudson, and Harlem Rivers, and also includes several small adjacent islands and Marble Hill, a small neighborhood on the U.S. mainland.'
  
  'The area that is now Manhattan was long inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans. In 1524, Florentine explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano – sailing in service of King Francis I of France – was the first European to visit the area that would become New York City.
  
  It was not until the voyage of Henry Hudson, an Englishman who worked for the Dutch East India Company, that the area was mapped. Hudson came across Manhattan Island and the native people living there in 1609, and continued up the river that would later bear his name, the Hudson River, until he arrived at the site of present day Albany.
  
  A permanent European presence in New Netherland began in 1624 with the founding of a Dutch fur trading settlement on Governors Island. In 1625, construction was started on the citadel of Fort Amsterdam on Manhattan Island, later called New Amsterdam (Nieuw Amsterdam), in what is now Lower Manhattan. The 1625 establishment of Fort Amsterdam at the southern tip of Manhattan Island is recognized as the birth of New York City. According to a letter by Pieter Janszoon Schagen, Peter Minuit and Dutch colonists acquired Manhattan on May 24, 1626 from unnamed Native American people, which are believed to have been Canarsee Indians of the Lenape, in exchange for trade goods worth 60 guilders, often said to be worth US$24, although accounting for inflation, it actually amounts to around US$1,050 in 2014. According to the writer Nathaniel Benchley, Minuit conducted the transaction with Seyseys, chief of the Canarsees, who were only too happy to accept valuable merchandise in exchange for the island that was actually mostly controlled by the Weckquaesgeeks'.
  - At Wikipedia: More
  - On YouTube: More
• In 1715, French manufacturer debuts folding umbrella.
  From Wikipedia: 'An umbrella or parasol is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs, which is mounted on a wooden, metal or plastic pole. It is designed to protect a person against rain or sunlight. The word "umbrella" typically refers to a device used for protection from rain. The word parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun. Often the difference is the material used for the canopy; some parasols are not waterproof. Umbrella canopies may be made of fabric or flexible plastic.
  
  The first lightweight folding umbrella in Europe was introduced in 1710 by a Paris merchant named Jean Marius, whose shop was located near the barrier of Saint-Honoré. It could be opened and closed in the same way as modern umbrellas, and weighed less than one kilogram. Marius received from the King the exclusive right to produce folding umbrellas for five years. A model was purchased by the Princess Palatine in 1712, and she enthused about it to her aristocratic friends, making it an essential fashion item for Parisiennes. In 1759, a French scientist named Navarre presented a new design to the French Academy of Sciences for an umbrella combined with a cane. Pressing a small button on the side of the cane opened the umbrella'.]
  - At FamousDaily: More
  - At Wikipedia: More
  - On YouTube (How It's Made): More
• In 1904, The United States begins construction of the Panama Canal.
  From Wikipedia: 'The Panamá Canal (Spanish: Canal de Panamá) is a 48-mile (77 km) ship canal in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. There are locks at each end to lift ships up to Gatun Lake, an artificial lake created to reduce the amount of excavation work required for the canal, 26 metres (85 ft) above sea level. The current locks are 33.5 metres (110 ft) wide. A third, wider lane of locks is currently under construction and is due to open in June 2016.
  
  France began work on the canal in 1881 but stopped due to engineering problems and a high worker mortality rate. The United States took over the project in 1904, and opened the canal on August 15, 1914. One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, the Panama Canal shortcut greatly reduced the time for ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enabling them to avoid the lengthy, hazardous Cape Horn route around the southernmost tip of South America via the Drake Passage or Strait of Magellan.
  
  Colombia, France, and later the United States controlled the territory surrounding the canal during construction. The US continued to control the canal and surrounding Panama Canal Zone until the 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaties provided for handover to Panama. After a period of joint American–Panamanian control, in 1999 the canal was taken over by the Panamanian government, and is now managed and operated by the government-owned Panama Canal Authority'.
  - At Wikipedia: More
  - On YouTube: More
• In 1910, The Royal Canadian Navy is created.
  From Wikipedia: 'The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) (French: Marine royale canadienne), is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2015 Canada' s navy operates 1 destroyer, 12 frigates, 4 patrol submarines, 12 coastal defence vessels and 8 unarmed patrol/training vessels, as well as several auxiliary vessels. The Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by 5,300 civilians. Vice-Admiral Mark Norman is the current Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and Chief of the Naval Staff.'
  
  Founded in 1910 as the Naval Service of Canada and given Royal Sanction on 29 August 1911, the Royal Canadian Navy was amalgamated with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army to form the unified Canadian Armed Forces in 1968, after which it was known as "Maritime Command" until 2011 when the title of RCN was restored. Over the course of its history, the RCN served in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Persian Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan and numerous United Nations peacekeeping missions and NATO operations'.
  - At Wikipedia: More
  - On YouTube: More
• In 1956, Gene Vincent and his group, The Blue Caps, recorded 'Be-Bop-A Lula'.
  From Wikipedia: '"Be-Bop-A-Lula" is a rockabilly song first recorded in 1956 by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps.
  
  The writing of the song is credited to Gene Vincent and his manager, Bill "Sheriff Tex" Davis. Evidently the song originated in 1955, when Vincent was recuperating from a motorcycle accident at the US Navy hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. There, he met Donald Graves, who supposedly wrote the words to the song while Vincent wrote the tune. (Cf. "Money Honey" by the Drifters, 1953). The song came to the attention of Davis, who allegedly bought out Graves' rights to the song for some $50 (sources vary as to the exact amount), and had himself credited as the lyric writer. Davis claimed that he wrote the song with Gene Vincent after listening to the song "Don't Bring Lulu". Vincent himself sometimes claimed that he wrote the words inspired by the comic strip, "Little Lulu": "I come in dead drunk and stumble over the bed. And me and Don Graves were looking at this bloody book; it was called Little Lulu. And I said, "Hell, man, it's 'Be-Bop-a-Lulu.' And he said, 'Yeah, man, swinging.' And we wrote this song"'.
  - At Wikipedia: More
  - On YouTube: More
• In 1959, At the 1st Grammy Awards:
  -- At Wikipedia: More
  Record of the Year is 'Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu'
  -- At Wikipedia: More
  -- YouTube: More
  Album of the Year is 'The Music from Peter Gunn'
  -- At Wikipedia: More
  0- On YouTube: More
  Song of the Year is 'Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu'
  -- On YouTube: More
• In 1972, The Don't Make A Wave Committee, a fledgling environmental organization founded in Canada in 1971, officially changes its name to 'Greenpeace Foundation'.
  From Wikipedia: 'The Don't Make a Wave Committee was the name of the anti-nuclear organization which later evolved into Greenpeace, a global environmental organization. The Don't Make a Wave Committee was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to protest and attempt to halt further underground nuclear testing by the United States in the National Wildlife refuge at Amchitka in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. The Don't Make a Wave Committee was first formed in October 1969 and officially established in early 1970.
  
  In the late 1960s, the U.S had plans for an underground nuclear weapon test in the island of Amchitka at Alaska. Because of the 1964 Alaska earthquake the plans raised some concerns of the test triggering earthquakes and causing a tsunami. A 1969 demonstration of 7,000 people blocked a major U.S.-Canadian border crossing in British Columbia, carrying signs reading "Don't Make A Wave. It's Your Fault If Our Fault Goes". Further demonstrations occurred at U.S. border crossings in Ontario and Quebec. The protests did not stop the U.S. from detonating the bomb.
  
  During meetings in 1970 Bill Darnell combined the words ‘green’ and ‘peace’, thereby giving the organization its first expedition name, Greenpeace. Many Canadians protested the United States military underground nuclear bomb tests, codenamed Cannikin, beneath the island of Amchitka, Alaska in 1971. The Don't Make a Wave Committee first expedition hired the Phyllis Cormack, a halibut seiner available for charter, to take protestors to the testing zone on the island of Amchitka. The expedition was called Greenpeace I, and included Canadian journalist Robert Hunter. In the fall of 1971 the ship sailed towards Amchitka and faced the U.S. navy ship Confidence. The activists were forced to turn back. Because of this and the increasingly bad weather the crew decided to return to Canada only to find out that the ne about their journey and the support from the crew of the Confidence had generated widespread compassion for their protest. Greenpeace chartered another ship, a former minesweeper Edgewater Fortune, which was renamed the Greenpeace Too!. Paul Watson, also a co-founder of Greenpeace was selected to crew the 2nd vessel. One day out of Amchitka the United States Atomic Energy Commission exploded a Hydrogen bomb underground a day earlier than scheduled on November 6, 1971. The nuclear test gained widespread criticism and the U.S. decided not to continue with their test plans at Amchitka. In 1972, The Don't Make a Wave committee changed their official name to Greenpeace Foundation.
  
  On 4 May 1972, following Irving Stowe's departure from the chairmanship of the Don't Make A Wave Committee, the fledgling environmental group officially changed its name to the "Greenpeace Foundation". Later that year David McTaggart would sail his yacht, Greenpeace III, to French Polynesia to oppose the French atmospheric nuclear tests at Mururoa atoll, supported by the new Greenpeace Foundation'.
  - At Wikipedia: More
  - On YouTube: More

Two food holidays tomorrow:
- ' National Orange Juice Day'.
- 'National Candied Orange Peel Day'.
[The Hankster says] Ah, ha. You thought you could throw away that peel, didn't you. It's great, the zest (orange part), for many things.

Don't look on the dark side. Tomorrow is 'International Star Wars Day'.
[The Hankster says] Let me say it and get it over with. May the 4th be with you.

Would be weathermen. Tomorrow is 'National Weather Observers Day'.
[The Hankster says] Come-on, you can do almost as good as the official predictions. All you need is a lot of expensive instruments, stacks of charts, satellites and a dart board.

It's do-overs tomorrow . It will be 'Renewal Day '.
[The Hankster says] If you made it wrong, fix it, especially with relationships.

Tomorrow is 'Petite And Proud Day'. For those under 5 ft 4 inches.

It is 'World Giving Day' tomorrow. From the web site: 'The prompt is: “Small gift, big impact: tell us about a time when you saw a small act of giving create lots of unexpected joy.”'.
[The Hankster says] Give once and make two people feel better.

Tomorrow's Awareness / Observance Days:

o Health
- 'Deaf Awareness Week'. In Great Britain. From the web site: 'Theme ‘Connect and Communicate’ aims to help everyone better understand the issues that deaf people can have relating to others.'

- 'Misophonia Monday. In Great Britain. Mmisophonia/selective sound sensitivity syndrome.

o Animal and Pets
- 'Be Kind to Animals Week. Since 1915.

- 'Bird Day'. From Wikipedia: 'Bird Day is a holiday established by Oil City, Pennsylvania school superintendent Charles Babcock in 1894. It was the first holiday in the United States dedicated to the celebration of birds. Babcock intended it to advance bird conservation as a moral value. It is celebrated on May 4 of every year.'

- 'International Respect for Chickens Day'. Since 2005 by the United Poultry Concerns. A protest for chicken farm conditions.

o Other
- 'National Occupational Safety & Health Week'. First day of May 4-15 event. From Wikipedia: 'North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week is held every year during the first full week of May to raise awareness about occupational safety, health and the environment (SH&E) in an effort to prevent work injuries and illnesses. The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) partners with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) to raise public awareness about safety in the workplace in North America during NAOSH week.'

- 'International Firefighters' Day'. From the web site: '“The role of a firefighter in today’s society – be it urban, rural, natural environment, volunteer, career, industrial, defence force, aviation, motor sport, or other is one of dedication, commitment and sacrifice – no matter what country we reside and work in. In the fire service we fight together against one common enemy – fire – no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear or what language we speak.”' – Lt JJ Edmondson, 1999.

- 'In Screen-Free Week'. From Wikipedia: 'Screen-Free Week (formerly TV Turnoff Week and Digital Detox Week) is an annual event where children, families, schools and communities are encouraged to turn off screens and 'turn on life' Instead of relying on television programming for entertainment, participants read, daydream, explore, enjoy nature, and spend time with family and friends. Over 300 million people have taken part in the turnoff, with millions participating each year.'

- 'National Library Legislative Day'. From the web site: 'Want to support federal funding for our nation’s libraries? Stand up for libraries this year by registering for the American Library Association’s 41st annual National Library Legislative Day, a two-day advocacy event where hundreds of library supporters, leaders and patrons meet with members of Congress in Washington, D.C.'

- 'PTA Teacher Appreciation Week'. From the web site: 'Teachers play a key role in student success and sometimes a simple “thanks” is all a teacher needs to feel valued. Take the time to celebrate your students’ teachers during 2015 PTA Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8.'

Jeremy Irons once said 'We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams.' {the Hankster says} All aboard for the land of memories. I will let you take care of your own dreams. I think I see the express pulling into the station. Let me see. Ah, yes, the sign above the station door, says May 4. this is our stop.

In 1626, Manhattan is sold by the Indians for $24 worth of buttons and cloth.

In 1715, French manufacturer debuts folding umbrella.

In 1910, The Royal Canadian Navy is created.

In 1959, At the 1st Grammy Awards:
- Record of the Year is 'Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu'.
- Album of the Year is 'The Music from Peter Gunn'.
- Song of the Year is 'Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu'.

In 1904, – The United States begins construction of the Panama Canal.

In 1956, Gene Vincent and his group, The Blue Caps, recorded 'Be-Bop-A Lula'.

In 1972, The Don't Make A Wave Committee, a fledgling environmental organization founded in Canada in 1971, officially changes its name to 'Greenpeace Foundation'.

No. 1 song

• Game of Love - Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders: More
  'I'm Telling You Now' has been displaced by 'Game of Love', which will hold the no. 1 spot until May 11 1965, when 'Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter - Herman's Hermits', takes over.

Top movie

• The Sound of Music (again) More
  Having displaced 'In Harm's Way', it will be there until the weekend box office of May 9 1965 when, 'Brainstorm', takes over.

• FamousBirthdays.com: May 4 Birthdays More
• FamousDaily.com: May 4 History More
• History.com: Historical Events on 4th May More
• HistoryOrb.com: Famous Deaths on 4th May More
• On-This-day.com history 4th May More
• On-This-day.com music history 4th May More
• Wikipedia.com: History May 4 More

Monthly holiday / awareness days in May

Food
Aramanth May Grain of the Month
Gifts From The Garden Month
International / National Mediterranean Diet Month
National Barbeque Month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
National Salsa Month
National Sweet Vidalia Onions Month
National Vinegar Month
National Youth Traffic Safety Month

Health and Well-Being
Descriptions are simple dictionary definitions and are not meant to be a full medical description.
ALS Awareness Month (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
Arthritis Awareness Month
Asthma Awareness Month
Better Hearing and Speech Month (communication disorders)
Borderline Personality Disorder Month
Brain Tumor Awareness Month
Celiac Awareness Month (gluten sensitivity)
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
EDS Awareness Month ((Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - inherited disorder affecting connective tissues)
Family Wellness Month
Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month (musculoskeletal pain, fatigue,)
Global Civility Awareness Month
Global Health and Fitness Month
Heal the Children Month (provides critical medical care to children all around the world)
Healthy Vision Month
Huntington's Disease Awareness Month (hereditary disease marked by degeneration of the brain cells)
Lupus Awareness Month (chronic, autoimmune disease effecting skin, joints, organs)
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month
National Better Hearing Month
National Hepatitis Awareness Month (inflammation of the liver)
National High Blood Pressure Education Month
Neurofibromatosis / NF Awareness Month (gentic disorder, most concerned with tumors of the nerves)
Lyme Disease Awareness Month (inflammatory disease transmitted by bacteria via ticks)
National Mental Health Month
National Osteoporosis Prevention Month ( brittle and fragile bone disease)
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Toddler Immunization Month
National Tuberous Sclerosis Month
National Water Safety Month
Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month (genetic condition of Infants, slow growth, weakness)
Preeclampsia Awareness Month (a condition in pregnancy)
Strike Out Strokes Month
Tay-Sachs and Canavan Diseases Month (progressive deterioration of nerve cells )
Tourettes Syndrome Awareness (neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics)
Women's Health Care Month

Environmental
American Wetlands Month
Clean Air Month
Gardening for Wildlife Month

Other
APS Awareness Month (American Physical Society)
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Building Safety Month
Creative Beginnings Month
Drum Month (music)
Get Caught Reading Month
Golf Month
Haitian Heritage Month
International Audit Month
International Business Image Improvement Month
Latino Books Month
Motorcycle Safety Month
National Bike Month
National Foster Care Month
National Good Car Keeping Month
National Inventors Month
National Military Appreciation Month
National Photo Month
National Preservation Month (by The National Register of Historic Places)
National Smile Month
Older Americans Month
Personal History Month
Social Security Education Awareness Month
Tennis Month
Young Achievers of Tomorrow Month

Pets
Chip Your Pet Month
Go Fetch! Food Drive for Homeless Animals Month
National Pet Month
National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month

May is:

May origin (from Wikipedia):
The month May was named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May. Conversely, the Roman poet Ovid provides a second etymology, in which he says that the month of May is named for the maiores, Latin for 'elders,' and that the following month (June) is named for the iuniores, or 'young people'

May ' is the fifth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days.
May is a month of Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and spring in the Northern Hemisphere (Summer in Europe). Therefore May in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of November in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa. '

May at Wikipedia: More

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

Best selling books of 1965 More

• 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

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