Tag: history

Quotes to Celebrate and Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today is a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader. His words, leadership, and relentless actions for civil rights were an inspiration. If you want to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., consider using one of his quotes in a blog or social media post.

  1. “The time is always right to do what is right.”
  2. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
  3. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
  4. ”In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
  5. “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
  6. “The road to freedom must be uphill, even if it is arduous and frustrating. Out of this crucible of service, a creative specialist in social change must emerge.”
  7. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
  8.  “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”
  9. “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”
  10. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
  11. “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but comes through continuous struggle.”
  12. “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”
  13. “Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction.”
  14. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
  15. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Use the quotes for inspiration and honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr..

Labor Day History: From Struggle to Celebration

Today, September 2, 2024, is Labor Day. In the United States, millions of people celebrate Labor Day. They enjoy a 3-day weekend. Many take part in parades and picnics. People travel and gather with family. Celebrations include parties and barbeques.  

usa flag waving on white metal pole
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But do you know the history of Labor Day? The holiday has roots dating back to the 1800s. The beginning of the labor movement was fueled by violence and death.

Why Celebrate Labor Day?

Are you wondering why we celebrate Labor Day every year? Labor Day celebrates the ongoing accomplishments and daily contributions of the American worker to the economy. It’s the average working person’s holiday.

How Did Labor Day Start?

Labor Day, recognized every first Monday in September, did not have celebratory beginnings. In fact, the holiday originated from poor working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. During that time, workers, the extremely poor, migrants, and young children worked for 12 hours a day. They toiled 7 days a week in unsafe working environments.

The unsanitary, poorly ventilated mills, factories, and coal mines took a toll on the American workforce. Eventually, the exploited workers participated in protests, strikes, and rallies. The workers demanded better working conditions and higher compensation for their hard labor.

The protests were not peaceful. Violent encounters between the police and strikers were prevalent during this period. Ultimately, the unrest turned deadly. In Chicago, the Haymarket Riot of 1886 resulted in the death of several people, policemen and protestors.

The First Labor Day Parade

Unlike today’s celebrations, the first Labor Day parade did not have floats, festive music, clowns, or attractions. The parade comprised of 10,000 workers from New York. The workers marched from City Hall to Union Square. They took the day off without pay. Their goal was to bring attention to the dismal working conditions.

Making Labor Day Official

Despite the march in New York, Labor Day did not become official until years later. During this time more American laborers died in unsafe working environments and violent protests. At one point, troops were sent to Chicago to break up the Pullman strike, a boycott of railway cars. The clash between troops and workers resulted in more deaths.

Finally, to repair the damage, Congress introduced an Act for the District of Columbia and other areas. This act recognizes the daily efforts of American workers. The recognition began to grow in other states. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland turned the act into law.

As you sit down to enjoy a BBQ or watch a parade. Take a moment to thank the workers who started the holiday. They began it over a century ago.

Happy Labor Day! Enjoy!

*Please note this is an updated version of an earlier post.

Origins of Easter Eggs & Easter Baskets

Did you color eggs this year for Easter? Or are you stepping into the honorary role of Easter Bunny and putting together baskets for your loved ones? Did you ever wonder about the origins of these two fun Easter traditions?

The origins of Easter eggs and Easter baskets are deeply rooted in ancient traditions. Over the centuries, the traditions have evolved intertwining religious, cultural, and even agricultural practices into the holiday.

  1. Pagan Origins: In ancient pagan cultures, eggs were symbols of fertility and rebirth.  Celebrating spring festivals, the cultures associated eggs with the arrival of spring and the end of winter. People would often exchange eggs as gifts to celebrate the rejuvenation of nature.
  2. Christian Adaptation: With the spread of Christianity, many pagan traditions were absorbed or adapted into Christian celebrations. The timing of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, coincides with the arrival of spring and many pre-existing festivals. Early Christians repurposed symbols of fertility, like eggs, to represent the resurrection and new life brought by Jesus.
  3. Medieval Europe: By the Middle Ages, the tradition of decorating eggs for Easter had become widespread throughout Europe. Eggs were often boiled and dyed in vibrant colors, symbolizing the joy and celebration of Easter. In some cultures, eggs were also intricately decorated with religious motifs or natural dyes.
  4. Easter Egg Hunts: Easter egg hunts likely originated in Germany, where children would search for hidden eggs in gardens or fields. This practice spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to the United States. Easter egg hunts are now a popular activity for children during the Easter season. Many organizations host Easter egg hunts at local parks or community centers. People make egg hunts as part of their Easter traditions by placing eggs in their backyards.  
  5. Easter Baskets: The tradition of Easter baskets may have several origins. In medieval Europe, people would bring baskets of food to church on Easter Sunday to be blessed by the priest. Over time, this custom evolved into the tradition of giving Easter baskets filled with treats like eggs, candy, and toys. Additionally, the idea of using baskets may have practical roots as a convenient way to carry and display eggs during Easter festivities.

Today, Easter eggs and Easter baskets remain cherished symbols of the holiday, representing themes of renewal, abundance, and joy. While their origins may be diverse, these wonderful Easter traditions continue to be celebrated by people worldwide. Happy Easter!

Recreating the First Thanksgiving Meal

Do you want to reenact the first Thanksgiving as part of your family’s celebration? In 1621, the first Thanksgiving was a meal shared by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag people. The exact menu and specific foods served at the first Thanksgiving are not fully recorded. However, historical accounts and records provide enough data to give an idea of what might have been on the Thanksgiving table.

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The Pilgrims likely had a variety of foods that were common to the region at that time. If you want to replicate the first Thanksgiving meal, consider the following ideas.

  1. Wild Game: Venison, waterfowl (such as ducks and geese), and possibly wild turkey were likely part of the original Thanksgiving feast. Consider visiting specialty butcher shops to find these types of meat.
  2. Seafood: Fish, shellfish, and other seafood would have been available since Plymouth Colony was situated near the ocean. Skip the turkey or wild game and serve fish for your Thanksgiving meal/
  3. Corn: Corn was a staple of the Native American diet and played a significant role in the meal. Offer corn on the cob at your dinner reenactment.
  4. Wild Plants and Berries: Various wild plants, nuts, and berries that were foraged from the local area. Serve berries as part of a dessert or appetizer to incorporate into your feast.
  5. Vegetables: Yes, it is possible that they had vegetables like squash, pumpkin, and other native vegetables as part of the first Thanksgiving dinner. Serving these types of vegetables would be an excellent option for your meal.
  6. Fruits: Native fruits might have been included in the first Thanksgiving feast. Cranberries, a tasty small fruit, are native to the area. Adding cranberries to your dinner table is another option for your reenactment meal.

Keep in mind that the specific foods and preparation methods could have varied based on the time of year, local availability, and culinary practices of both the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.

The modern interpretation of a Thanksgiving feast, with dishes like roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, has evolved over centuries and was influenced by later Thanksgiving celebrations and culinary traditions. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy!

History of Sweetest Day

Today, October 21, 2023, is Sweetest Day! Are you going to celebrate this romantic holiday? Did you ever wonder where Sweetest Day originated?

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Sweetest Day is a holiday primarily celebrated in the Great Lakes region of the United States, including parts of the Midwest and Northeast. The romantic holiday is not as widely recognized or celebrated as some others. But Sweetest Day has a unique history and cultural significance in the areas where it is observed.

The origins of Sweetest Day can be traced back to the early 20th century. The holiday was first celebrated in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1921. It was the idea of a group of candy manufacturers, including C.C. Hartzell, who wanted to promote the sale of sweets and other small gifts to show appreciation and affection to loved ones. They marketed it as a day to bring happiness to the lives of orphans, shut-ins, and others who might not otherwise have received much attention.

The first Sweetest Day was celebrated on October 8, 1921. People gave boxes of candy and other small gifts to friends, family members, and sweethearts. Over time, the holiday spread to other parts of the United States, but it never achieved the same level of popularity as other holidays like Valentine’s Day.

Sweetest Day is typically observed on the third Saturday in October, and it has evolved to include a broader range of expressions of kindness and affection. In addition to giving candy and gifts, people might also send cards, flowers, or perform acts of kindness and charity. It’s seen as a day to show appreciation and thoughtfulness to those who have made a positive impact in one’s life.

While Sweetest Day remains a regional holiday, it has become a part of the cultural traditions in the Great Lakes region and is celebrated by some people throughout the United States. It’s not a federal holiday, and its observance is entirely optional. Some people view it as an opportunity to extend the spirit of love and kindness beyond Valentine’s Day.

Over the years, Sweetest Day has evolved into a holiday that celebrates not just romantic love but also platonic relationships and acts of kindness, making it a day to show appreciation and gratitude to the sweetest people in one’s life.

7 Halloween Facts

Who remembers dressing up for Halloween as a kid? Together with your cousins, siblings, and neighborhood friends, running from house to house to get the most candy was a major part of Halloween. Annually on October 31st, millions of people celebrate Halloween. The history surrounding this spooky holiday is fascinating.

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1. Halloween’s Roots

Halloween has roots dating back to the ancient Celtic Festival. In Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, the celebration, known as Samhain, marked the end of the year. The pagan new year began on November 1, the start of the winter season. Bonfires, feasts, and animal sacrifices were a major component of the two-day celebration.

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2. Halloween Costumes

The tradition of dressing up in Halloween attire also stems from the Samhain festival. People would dress up to scare away ghosts. Unlike the material found in today’s costumes, the festival goers would wear animal heads and skins.

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3. Trick-or-Treating Tradition

Modern-day trick-or-treating is a concept from an activity known as “souling.”  As part of the Samhain festival, poor children would go from door to door to beg for food or money. In exchange for the small tokens, the children would pray for any recently departed loved ones connected to the home.

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4. Jack O’Lantern

The long-standing tradition of carving a pumpkin originates from the Irish folktale of Stingy Jack. After tricking the Devil repeatedly, Stingy Jack was left to walk the Earth throughout eternity. The Devil could not claim his soul. And God would not let such an unsavory person into heaven. The story continues with Stingy Jack walking the Earth with just a piece of burning coal to light his way which he placed inside a carved turnip. The Irish called the sight of Stingy Jack’s ghostly figure, “Jack of the Lantern.”

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5. Orange and Black

Halloween décor has a principal color theme, orange and black. The colors date back to the time of the Celts. The orange represents fall colors and the flames of bonfires during the celebrations. Whereas the color black represented the darkness of the upcoming winter season and death.

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6. Bobbing for Apples

The childhood party game had a different meaning in the 18th century. The ritual was meant to find a woman the suitor. Each apple was assigned to a specific gentleman. When a woman bobbed for an apple to take a bite, the outcome would be a date.

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7. Candy Corn or Chicken Feed

The original name for the tri-colored Candy Corn was chicken feed. George Renninger, an employee from the Wunderlee Candy Company was the first to sell the candy in 1880. Every year Americans purchase over twenty million pounds of Candy Corn.

Halloween is an interesting holiday with many traditions and lore. What is your favorite part of Halloween?

Reference:

http://www.History.com

Creating Your Own Pet Rock

Are you old enough to remember the Pet Rock craze? Well, I am. When I was in grade school, I remember a classmate owning a Pet Rock. During Show and Tell, she explained all the different things the Pet Rock could do. For example, she fully believed the rock felt heavier during sleeping hours. Of course, I was skeptical. But my overactive imagination could relate the rock as a living creature.

Today, September 3, 2017, is Pet Rock Day. Originated in 1975 by Gary Dahl, the Pet Rock fad was an instant hit. Smooth stones were put in a pet carrier for the home for the Pet Rock. In fact, you still can buy Pet Rocks today at www.PetRock.com.

Celebrating Pet Rock Day

Today, you can either purchase a Pet Rock or craft one. Actually crafting the rock into different creatures may be a fun activity for the entire family.

Supplies You May Need:

  • Rocks (Gather some out your drive or purchase a bag at your local dollar store)
  • Paint
  • Googly eyes
  • features
  • Glue
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Pom-poms
  • Glitter, if you are brave

The only limit to the type of craft supplies needed is your imagination.

Have fun creating your own type of rock creature. In fact, consider creating an entire rock family.

References:

Pet Rock. (2017). Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Rock

Pet Rock. (2014). Retrieved from: http://www.petrock.com/

Apple Pie Day

Today, May 13, 2017, is Apple Pie Day. Sounds like the perfect type of unofficial holiday for me. Actually, apple pie is one my father’s favorite desserts, coming in second only to pumpkin pie. Years ago, I use to work in a bakery. From traditional the traditional apple pie to the extra sweet caramel apple pie, the variety of apple pies were always a hit.

The history of apple pie may surprise you. Apple pies actually date back to the time of Chaucer in the 14th century. The pie had unique ingredients including, good apples, spices, figs, raisins and pears, cofryn as a crust type layer with saffron to add coloring to the mixture.

Today’s apple pies are completely different with Dutch Apple, Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake, Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie, and more. Personally, I like the traditional apple pie especially when the piece of pie is still warm. Add vanilla ice cream as a topping, I am completely satisfied.

Regardless of the type, the main ingredient remains the same: good apples. Depending on the availability, I usually use Granny Smith or Honey Crisp.  But I know other people prefer to use Empires.

So tell me what type of apple pie do you prefer?

 

Happy Apple Pie Day!

Until next time….peace

 

Reference:

Apple Pie. (2017). Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_pie