fun, strange holidays grouped by month

August 9 is National Veep Day

/0 Comments/in

Today is National Veep Day. On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first (and only) U.S. president to resign from office.

Vice President Gerald Ford assumed the office in accordance with Article II, Section 1, Clause 6 of the U.S. Constitution:national veep day

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

As president, Gerald Ford immediately issued a pardon for all crimes Nixon “committed or may have committed” while in office. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Happy National Veep Day!

 

Copyright © 2017 Worldwide Weird Holidays

August 8 is Happiness Happens Day

/2 Comments/in

happiness happens dayToday is Happiness Happens Day.

Spiritual seeker and motivational speaker Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Secret Society of Happy People in 1998. The following year, she created Admit You’re Happy Day, the holiday which evolved into Happiness Happens Day. In 2000, she declared August Happiness Happens Month.

Per Johnson, even though she is blessed with “happy genetics” that help her naturally see the brighter side of things, she wanted life to be happy all of the time.

“What I learned was that, although you can’t be happy all of the time, you can be happy most of the time. You just need to recognize more of the happiness that’s already happening.”

Johnson has identified 31 types of happiness to help us reinterpret and enjoy all the happy moments we mistakenly classify as neutral happenstance.

A few of the types are Anticipation, Awestruck, Balanced, Hopeful, Nostalgic and Relieved. Print out the Happiness Counter to keep score throughout the day.

Remember that happiness is contagious. If you’re happy, tell someone. If someone else is happy, listen to him or her. Exceptions to that rule could be made during a prison visit, funeral service or after your best friend washes out of clown college. Use your judgment.

Happy Happiness Happens Day!

 

Copyright © 2017 Worldwide Weird Holidays

August 7 is Purple Heart Day

/1 Comment/in

Today is Purple Heart Day. On August 7, 1782, at his headquarters in Newburgh, NY, General George Washington, the commander in chief of the Continental Army, ordered the creation of a Badge of Military Merit.

purple heart day

Replica of original badge

The badge consisted of a purple, heart-shaped piece of cloth with the word MERIT embroidered in silver across the front. It was awarded to soldiers who showed “not only instances of unusual gallantry in battle, but also extraordinary fidelity and services in any way.”

Only three soldiers who fought in the American Revolutionary War received the decoration: Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell, Jr. Afterward, it was largely forgotten until General Douglas MacArthur lobbied to revive it.

On February 22, 1932, the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth, the U.S. War Department announced the creation of the “Order of the Purple Heart.”
purple heart day
The medal bears the image of Washington and his coat of arms. It’s presented to members of the military who have been “wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces.”

The Purple Heart has been a symbol of bravery and sacrifice since the founding of the United States. Today’s holiday serves as a reminder to honor our veterans.

 

Copyright © 2017 Worldwide Weird Holidays

August 6 is Corporate Baby Name Day

/0 Comments/in

corporate baby name dayToday is Corporate Baby Name Day. On August 6, 2001, AmericanBaby.com, an online resource for pregnancy and parenting advice, announced the results of a survey it had recently conducted. The poll asked six hundred respondents if they would sell the right to name their baby for $500,000—to a corporation.

We’ve learned about many odd baby names over the years and tried our hand at tongue-in-cheek baby name generators here and here, but we’ve never seen anything like this

Twenty-one percent stated they were willing to allow a conglomerate to brand their child “Pepsi,” “Friskies,” “Mop’n’Glo,” “Kleenex,” “Budweiser,” “Jeep,” “Windex,” “Tropicana” or any product featured on the shelves at eye-level in the supermarket. Twenty-eight percent indicated they weren’t sure but would consider it.

The site created the study because of a couple in New York State who tried to auction off the name of their newborn boy on eBay. The bidding started at $500,000; there were no takers. They finally named him Zane on August 6, 2001, the deadline to add the first name to his birth certificate.

We wonder how many companies would pass up that opportunity today. No one would have it worse than the teacher at recess: “Taco Bell, stop picking on Charmin! Don’t make me come over there!”

Happy Corporate Baby Name Day!

Copyright © 2017 Worldwide Weird Holidays