March 21 - National Quilting Day

Happy National Quilting Day! Every third Saturday in March, it's time to snuggle up.  

Around the country, special quilting shows, classes, open museums and much more celebrate the day. 

It also appreciates and recognizes quilt makers, along with all of their long labor, love, and skill that goes into the making of each quilt. 

A quilt is a layer of batting or stuffing between two layers of pieced together fabric. Early American quilts were the result of patched together pieces of worn-out blankets and clothing. 

Since they had to weave their own fabrics, there was little time for creative piecing together of colorful, artful patterns. These items were purely functional. 

By the mid 18th century Americans were making elaborate quilts designed to be handed down from mother to daughter, often pieced together from salvaged pieces of clothing and other bedding. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Attend a quilt fair. You might find the next family heirloom. Buy a homemade quilt or make one yourself. Use #NationalQuiltingDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

In June 1991, at the 22nd annual show of the National Quilting Association in Lincoln, Nebraska, a resolution was passed and National Quilting Day was started. 

#NationalQuiltingDay
@AQSonline

@nichecinema

DATES 

March 20, 2021 
March 19, 2022 
March 18, 2023 
March 16, 2024 
March 15, 2025 
March 21, 2026 
March 20, 2027 
March 18, 2028 
March 17, 2029 
March 16, 2030 

March 21 - National French Bread Day

Happy National French Bread Day! Every year on March 21, today bakes up a delicious celebration enjoyed by millions across the United States. 

French bread, also known as a baguette, is a long thin loaf made from basic lean dough. Its length and its crisp crust define it. Over time, French law has established what is and what is not a baguette.  

In 1920, a labor law prevented bakers from starting their day before 4 A.M. Bread makers know that breadmaking is a tactile industry. The kneading and resting of the dough are just as important as the ingredients.  

When the law limited their day, the bakers knew their product so well they adjusted by re-shaping their loaves of bread. The long, narrow loaves baked more quickly and evenly. As a result, patrons found the new loaves more convenient for slicing and storing. 

These sturdy loaves make delicious sandwiches, but they also go well with any soup. Any leftover bread makes delicious French toast as well! 

The French are known for their high standards where culinary arts are concerned. To preserve quality in their bread, laws were passed requiring minimum quantities of certain quality ingredients in each loaf of bread. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Spend some time in the kitchen and fill your home with the smell of homemade French bread. While the effort may be time-consuming, the results are worth it.  

National Day Calendar® even has a French bread recipe to share with you. If the task seems a little daunting, be sure to visit your local bakery and pick up a loaf or two. Make some bruschetta or serve it with your favorite pasta dish. 

Visit the website below for the recipe: 

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/french-bread/ 

Use #NationalFrenchBreadDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® continues to research the origins of this yeasty food holiday. 

#NatinoalFrenchBreadDay 

@panerabread 

@nichecinema 

March 21 - National Countdown Day

3…2…1…National Countdown Day on March 21 ticks down the minutes, seconds or days to events big and small. 

3…2…1. July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 launches into the atmosphere carrying the crew for the first moon landing. 

3…2…1. Y2K, everyone partied like it was 1999 until the new millennium arrived. 

3…2…1. January 19, 2013, American technology talk show host and the founder of National Day Calendar® Marlo Anderson quietly launched a certain website with the eponymous title. 

3…2…1…it’s 5 o’clock somewhere! 

On National Countdown Day, 03/21, we can start a countdown to just about anything. Around the office, it’s a countdown to the next celebration every day! It’s also a day to consider past and present countdowns of significance. 

Recently, parts of the United States counted down to August 21, 2017, to a total solar eclipse. The event created road trip opportunities for those within driving distance. It also created science party lessons on rooftops in the path of the eclipse.  

And it was a memorable countdown, indeed. Did you miss it? Start your countdown for April 8, 2024. This solar eclipse will cover parts of Mexico, Central and Northeastern United States and just a bit of Canada. 

ROYAL COUNTDOWNS 

Since royal weddings draw a lot of attention, countdowns are an essential part of the draw. The fanfare and commitment to tradition remind us of storybook weddings.  

There are several royal weddings to recall: Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981; Prince William and Catherine Middleton, April 29, 2011; Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018. 

Another British countdown that kept the world interested was the countdown to Brexit. 

UNITED STATES COUNTDOWNS 

Some favorite countdowns in the U.S. lead to opening days – this could be the opening day of baseball, racing, the swimming pool or hunting season.  

However, the countdown to tax day, election day, or even the closing bell can be a positive or ominous one. Of course, it all depends on the outcome and sometimes one depends on the results of the other countdowns! 

SUMMER AND SPORTS 

Now, countdowns to summer break may be started as early as September 1 or as late as spring break.  

Those who motor on two wheels like to countdown to Sturgis and sports enthusiasts have countdowns to March Madness, Gameday, and Olympic Opening Ceremonies. There’s also the countdown to the final buzzer of every game!  

However, there are sports with no time limit and therefore no countdown to end the game. Can you name one? 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Start a countdown to something significant to you. Around National Day Calendar®, they countdown to meaningful, useful, notable, unusual, quirky, and remarkable events all the time. It also makes us #CelebrateEveryDay. 

Whether you’re counting down to a homecoming or a wedding, to your last chemo treatment or your graduation, start your countdown. What will you countdown to? Use #321Day to share on social media. 

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for a project dedicated to National Countdown Day. 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Countdown Day to celebrate all the ways people countdown to important moments in our lives. 

What are counting down for? 

#321Day 

@europetheband 

@nichecinema