<> Tomorrow's food holidays(s):
* 'National Pecan Pie Day'.
- From Wikipedia (Pecan Pie):
'Pecan pie is a pie of pecan nuts mixed with a filling of eggs and sugar
(typically corn syrup). Variations may include white or brown sugar, sugar
syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or honey. It is popularly served at holiday
meals and is also considered a specialty of Southern U.S. cuisine. Most
pecan pie recipes include salt and vanilla as flavorings. Chocolate and
bourbon whiskey are other popular additions to the recipe. Pecan pie is
often served with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or hard sauce.
Popular speculation as to the creation of pecan pie points to various parts
of the Southeastern United States in the 18th or 19th century. However, due
to lack of adequate written information, it is possible that pecan pie is a
20th-century invention.
Pecans are native to the southern United States. Archaeological evidence
found in Texas indicates that Native Americans used pecans more than 8,000
years ago.:326 The word pecan is a derivative of an Algonquin word, pakani,
referring to several nuts.
Sugar pies such as treacle tart were attested in Medieval Europe, and
adapted in North America to the ingredients available, resulting in such
dishes as shoofly pie, sugar pie, butter tart and chess pie. Pecan pie may
be a variant of chess pie, which is made with a similar butter-sugar-egg
custard.
Some have stated that the French invented pecan pie soon after settling in
New Orleans, after being introduced to the pecan nut by the Native American
Quinipissa and Tangipahoa tribes. Claims have also been made of pecan pie
existing in the early 1800s in Alabama, but this does not appear to be
backed up by recipes or literature. Attempts to trace the dish's origin
have not found any recipes dated earlier than 1886, and well-known
cookbooks such as Fannie Farmer and The Joy of Cooking did not include this
dessert before 1940. The earliest recorded recipes produce a boiled custard
with pecans added, which is then baked in a pie crust.
The makers of Karo syrup significantly contributed to popularizing the dish
and many of the recipes for variants (caramel, cinnamon, Irish creme,
peanut butter, etc.) of the classic pie. The company has claimed that the
dish was a 1930s discovery of a new use for corn syrup by a corporate sales
executive's wife. Pecan pie was made before the invention of corn syrup and
older recipes used darker sugar based syrup or molasses. The 1929
congressional club cookbook has a recipe for the pie which used only eggs,
milk, sugar and pecan, no syrup. The Pecan pie came to be closely
associated with the culture of the Southern United States in the 1940s and
1950s'.
[The Hankster says] Maybe with whipped cream or ice cream on top, no, no, no. Always with one or both on top. The Pecan Tree is the state tree of Texas, so let's do her proud. Don't throw those shells on the highway, put them in the compost. We don't want to mess with Texas, now do we?
* 'Cow Appreciation Day'.
[The Hankster says] Specials at Chick-fil-a tomorrow.
<> Other holidays / celebrations
* 'National Different Colored Eyes Day'.
Celebrates those people with two different eye colors (Heterochromia).
- From Wikipedia (Heterochromia):
'In anatomy, heterochromia (ancient Greek) is a difference in coloration,
usually of the iris but also of hair or skin. Heterochromia is a result of
the relative excess or lack of melanin (a pigment). It may be inherited, or
caused by genetic mosaicism, chimerism, disease, or injury.
Heterochromia of the eye (heterochromia iridis or heterochromia iridum) is
of three kinds. In complete heterochromia, one iris is a different color
from the other. In sectoral heterochromia, part of one iris is a different
color from its remainder and finally in central heterochromia there are
spikes of different colours radiating from the pupil.
Though multiple causes have been posited, the scientific consensus is that
inbreeding is the primary reason behind heterochromia. This is due to
mutation of the genes that determine melanin distribution at the 8-HTP
pathway, which usually only become corrupted due to chromosomal
homogeneity.
Eye color, specifically the color of the irises, is determined primarily by
the concentration and distribution of melanin. The affected eye may be
hyperpigmented (hyperchromic) or hypopigmented (hypochromic). In humans,
usually, an excess of melanin indicates hyperplasia of the iris tissues,
whereas a lack of melanin indicates hypoplasia'.
[The Hankster says] I wonder what color the eyes of Texas are? We all know they are upon us, but what color are they.
* 'National Simplicity Day'.
An advocate for the simpler life, Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12,
1817.
- From Wikipedia (Henry David Thoreau):
'Henry David Thoreau (see name pronunciation July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862)
was an American author, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax
resister, development critic, surveyor, and historian. A leading
transcendentalist, Thoreau is best known for his book Walden, a reflection
upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay Resistance to
Civil Government (also known as Civil Disobedience), an argument for
disobedience to an unjust state'.
* 'Etch A Sketch Day'.
Went on sale July 12 1960.
- From Wikipedia (Etch A Sketch):
'Etch A Sketch is a mechanical drawing toy invented by André Cassagnes of
France and subsequently manufactured by the Ohio Art Company and now owned
by Spin Master of Toronto, Canada.
An Etch A Sketch has a thick, flat gray screen in a red plastic frame.
There are two knobs on the front of the frame in the lower corners.
Twisting the knobs moves a stylus that displaces aluminum powder on the
back of the screen, leaving a solid line. The knobs create lineographic
images. The left control moves the stylus horizontally, and the right one
moves it vertically.
The Etch A Sketch was introduced near the peak of the Baby Boom on July 12,
1960 for $2.99. It went on to sell 600,000 units that year and is one of
the best known toys of that era. In 1998, it was inducted into the National
Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong, in Rochester, New York. In 2003, the Toy
Industry Association named Etch A Sketch to its Century of Toys List, a
roll call commemorating the 100 most memorable and most creative toys of
the 20th century.
The Etch A Sketch toy was invented in the late 1950s by André Cassagnes, an
electrician with Lincrusta Co, who named the toy L'Ecran Magique (The Magic
Screen). In 1959, he took his drawing toy to the International Toy Fair in
Nuremberg, Germany. The Ohio Art Company saw it but had no interest in the
toy. When Ohio Art saw the toy a second time, they decided to take a chance
on the product. L'Ecran Magique was soon renamed the Etch A Sketch and
became the most popular drawing toy in the business. After a complex series
of negotiations, The Ohio Art Company launched the toy in the United States
in time for the 1960 Christmas season with the name Etch A Sketch Ohio Art
supported the toy with a televised advertising campaign'.
[The Hankster says] I always wondered how it worked. With the explanation above all the magic is gone., but still fun.
* 'Night of Nights, (Maritime Radio)'.
July 12 each year 3 pm to midnight, the Historic RCA Coast Station KPH is
temporarily activated. . In Remembrance of the final closing of commercial
Morse operation in the USA, in 1999. 'KPH is a public coast radio station
on the West Coast of the United States. For most of the 20th century, it
provided ship to shore communications including telegrams (using Morse
code) and marine telex service (using radioteletype). The station
discontinued commercial operation in 1998, but is operated occasionally as
a historic service - its signal can be tuned in throughout a large portion
of the western hemisphere.
(Ship to shore telephone calls were not handled by KPH but by other
stations such as the nearby AT and T high seas station KMI.)
KPH would broadcast regular bulletins of news, weather and other general
information to the shipping community, then relay business and personal
messages to and from individual ships. Station operators also monitored the
international distress frequencies for calls from ships in trouble.
With the decline of Morse code the station was retired, but volunteers have
preserved it in operating condition so that it can still be heard on the
air on weekends and special occasions, sometimes using the alternative
callsign KSM and the amateur radio club callsign K6KPH . KPH is located
within the Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, California, north
of the San Francisco Bay. The station dates back to the dawn of the radio
era in the early years of the twentieth century when it began operations at
the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California, using the callsign PH Forced
out by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, the station moved from
one temporary site to another until it was acquired by the Radio
Corporation of America (RCA) and relocated to Marin County. Subsequently it
was owned by MCI Communications and finally Globe Wireless, who still own
the KPH operating license'.
<> Awareness / Observances:
<> Historical events on July 12
* 'In 1862, The Medal of Honor is authorized by the US Congress. .
- 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'.
* 'In 1912, First foreign film is shown in the United States. It was a
French film 'Queen Elizabeth' starring Sarah Bernhardt and Lon Tellegen.
* 'In 1933, Congress passes 1st minimum wage law at 25 cents per hour
(between $4 and $5 currently). It was part of the National Industrial
Recovery Act. It was later declared unconstitutional. .
- From Wikipedia: The minimum wage in the United States is set by a network
of federal, state, and local statutes. Workers generally must be paid no
less than the statutory minimum wage as specified by either the federal,
state, or local government. As of July 2015, the federal government
mandates a nationwide minimum wage level of $7.25 per hour. Effective
January 1, 2015 there were 29 states with a minimum wage higher than the
federal minimum. From 2014 to 2015, nine states increased their minimum
wage levels through automatic adjustments, while increases in 11 other
states occurred through legislative or ballot changes. The federal minimum
wage peaked at about $10 in 1968, as measured in 2014 inflation-adjusted
dollars.
'The first attempt at establishing a national minimum wage came in 1933,
when a $0.25 per hour standard was set as part of the National Industrial
Recovery Act. However, in the 1935 court case Schechter Poultry Corp. v.
United States (295 U.S. 495), the United States Supreme Court declared the
act unconstitutional, and the minimum wage was abolished. The minimum wage
was re-established in the United States in 1938 (pursuant to the Fair Labor
Standards Act), once again at $0.25 per hour ($4.23 in 2015 dollars). In
United States v. Darby Lumber Co. (1941), the Supreme Court upheld the Fair
Labor Standards Act, holding that Congress had the power under the Commerce
Clause to regulate employment conditions'.
* 'In 1946, 'The Adventures of Sam Spade' was heard on ABC radio for the
first time. Later moved to CBS. .
- From Wikipedia: 'The Adventures of Sam Spade, Detective was a radio
series based loosely on the private detective character Sam Spade, created
by writer Dashiell Hammett for The Maltese Falcon. The show ran for 13
episodes on ABC in 1946, for 157 episodes on CBS in 1946-1949, and finally
for 51 episodes on NBC in 1949-1951. The series starred Howard Duff (and
later, Steve Dunne) as Sam Spade and Lurene Tuttle as his secretary Effie,
and took a considerably more tongue-in-cheek approach to the character than
the novel or movie. The announcer was Dick Joy.
The series was largely overseen by producer/director William Spier. In
1947, scriptwriters Jason James and Bob Tallman received an Edgar Award for
Best Radio Drama from the Mystery Writers of America.
Before the series, Sam Spade had been played in radio adaptations of The
Maltese Falcon by both Edward G. Robinson (in a 1943 Lux Radio Theater
production) and by Humphrey Bogart (in a 1946 Academy Award Theater
production), both on CBS.
Dashiell Hammett's name was removed from the series in the late 1940s
because he was being investigated for involvement with the Communist Party.
Later, when Howard Duff's name appeared in the Red Channels book, he was
not invited to play the role when the series made the switch to NBC in
1950'.
* 'In 1962, The Rolling Stones perform their first ever concert, at the
Marquee Club in London, England. .
- From Wikipedia: The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in
London in 1962. The first settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar,
harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica),
Keith Richards (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums).
Stewart was removed from the official line-up in 1963 but continued as
occasional pianist until his death in 1985. Jones departed the band less
than a month prior to his death in 1969, having been replaced by Mick
Taylor, who remained until 1975. Since then, Ronnie Wood has been on guitar
in tandem with Richards. Following Wyman's departure in 1993, Darryl Jones
has been the main bassist. Other notable keyboardists for the band have
included Nicky Hopkins, active from 1967 to 1982 Billy Preston through the
mid-1970s and Chuck Leavell, active since 1982. The band was first led by
Jones but after teaming as the band's songwriters, Jagger and Richards
assumed de facto leadership.
'Jagger, Richards and Jones with Stewart and Dick Taylor on bass billed as
The Rollin' Stones played their first gig on 12 July 1962, at the Marquee
Club, 165 Oxford Street, London. Their material included the Chicago blues,
as well as Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley songs. Bassist Bill Wyman joined in
December 1962 and drummer Charlie Watts the following January 1963 to form
the band's long-standing rhythm section. The Rolling Stones' then acting
manager Giorgio Gomelsky secured a Sunday afternoon residency at the
Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, which, Gomelsky said, triggered an
international renaissance for the blues and was a seminal facet of Swinging
London's advent'.
No. 1 song
Top movie
Monthly holiday / awareness days in July
Food
National Blueberries Month
National Grilling Month
National Honey Month
National Ice Cream Month
National Horseradish Month
National Hot Dog Month
Wheat Month
Health
Alopecia Month for Women
Bereaved Parents Awareness Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month
Hemochromatosis Screening Awareness Month
International Group B Strep Awareness Month
International Women with Alopecia Month
International Zine Month
Juvenille Arthritis Awareness Month
National Black Family Month
National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month
National Cord Blood Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Social Wellness Month
Animal / Pets
National 'Doghouse Repairs' Month
Other
Bioterrorism/Disaster Education and Awareness Month
Cell Phone Courtesy Month
Family Golf Month
Independent Retailer Month
National Child-Centered Divorce Month
National Make A Difference to Children Month
National Parks and Recreation Month
National Vacation Rental Month
Smart Irrigation Month
Tour de France Month
Women's Motorcycle Month
July is:
July origin (from Wikipedia): Named by the Roman Senate in honor of Julius Caesar.
"is the seventh month of the year (between June
and August) in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months
with the length of 31 days. It was named by the Roman Senate in honor of
the Roman general, Julius Caesar, it being the month of his birth. Prior
to that, it was called Quintilis. It is, on average, the warmest month in
most of the Northern hemisphere (where it is the second month of summer)
and the coldest month in much of the Southern hemisphere (where it
is the second month of winter). The second half of the year commences in
July. In the Southern hemisphere, July is the seasonal equivalent of
January in the Northern hemisphere."
July 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 1966 More
Sites for downloading or reading free Public Domain eBooks. Available in various formats. More