April 23 - National Picnic Day

Happy National Picnic Day! On April 23, today encourages everyone to pack up their lunch and take it outdoors. Just watch out for ants.  

There are a variety of ways to take part in a picnic. This meal hearkens back to mid-18th-century al fresco French dining when all you needed was a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, some cheese and fruit and you could have a party under the sky. 

From the French for piquenique, the word "picnic" means a meal eaten outdoors. 

From barbecues to simple cold plates, picnics are light informal affairs intended to be relaxing and fun for everyone to enjoy the day. Some favorite picnic foods include sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit and vegetables, light salads, and homemade bars.  

However, picnics can be expanded to include grilled items, too. Burgers and corn on the cob cook up nicely on a portable grill. During large picnics, guests often bring a dish to share creating a pot luck atmosphere.  

The fresh air tends to rev up our appetite, so getting in some physical activity while enjoying a picnic is nice, too. Games of horseshoe, Frisbee, catch or flying a kite add to the fun of the day. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Celebrate this day by having a picnic of your own. Pack up a cooler or basket with a few of your favorite items. Make sure to include a beverage or two.  

Be sure to keep perishable items on ice so no one gets sick. Visit a favorite park or recreation area. Lay the blanket out in the sun or shade (whichever you prefer) and enjoy the day with a meal under the sky. Bring a Frisbee or a ball to toss around as well. 

If the weather does not cooperate, have a picnic in your home on the living room floor! Share your photos on social media using #NationalPicnicDay. 

HISTORY 

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X-1FR5MGMk  

#NationalPicnicDay
@YogiBear 

@nicheincinema 

April 23 - National Take A Chance Day

Happy National Take A Chance Day! Every year on April 23, today encourages us to branch or break out of our comfort zone. 

Most of us have unaccomplished goals or dreams. What if this was the day to take the chance to make them happen? Even if it is just the first step toward that goal, it will be one step closer than before. 

"Take a chance, drop every fear." ~Dr. Seuss

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowline, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover."  ~ Mark Twain 

Uncertain where to start?  Polish up that resume’, sign up for a foreign language class, or buy a pair hiking shoes.  Those are all first steps to taking chances on new jobs, traveling to a foreign country, or hiking that trail. 

Ready for a bigger chance?  Buy that plane ticket or finally, take your business plan to the bank.  It’s time to broaden those horizons. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Celebrate your goals or dreams by taking a chance and getting started today! Share on social media using #NationalTakeAChanceDay 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this day.

Feel free to share a goal or a dream of yours in the comments. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHCD-tpGXHk 

#NationalTakeAChanceDay 

@nichecinema

April 23 - National English Day

Happy National English Day! On April 23, today explores the development, history, and culture of the English tongue. 

  

A Germanic language that began to develop during the 5th and 6th centuries when Anglo-Saxons settled in Britain, English is also influenced by French, Latin, and many other languages.  

While English is the most spoken language in the world, it is the native tongue for only one-quarter of those who speak it (Source: Statista 2017).  

Or more impressively, for three-quarters of those who speak English, it is at least their second language if not a third or fourth. 

Did You Know? 

1. 
   1. What is the shortest English language sentence you can come up with? 

2. 2. What English words rhyme with orange, purple, silver or month? 

3. 3. What is the dot over the letter “i”? 

4. 4. How many English words can you come up with that end in “dous”? 

5. 5. What English word, spelled all in capitals, looks the same upside down? 

6. 6. What is the present tense word for the past tense word “durst”? 

7. 7. Approximately how many English words are in the Oxford Dictionary? 17,000 170,000 17,000,000 

8. 8. What’s so special about this sentence? “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.” 

(The answers to these questions are at the end of the page.) 

Can you name only the consonants in the English alphabet the first time through? 

Our language is funny – a ‘fat chance’ and a ‘slim chance’ mean the same thing. But, in a rut and in a groove mean the opposite. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Explore the English language! If it’s not your first language, find out where English has borrowed from your native tongue.  Use #EnglishLanguageDay to share on social media. 

HISTORY 

In 2010, the United Nations named six language days in recognition of the six official languages of the U.N. and to bring attention to the history, culture, and achievements of each of the languages.  

The U.N. selected April 23 for English Language Day commemorating the celebrated English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare, whose death is recorded on the same date in 1616. 

The six days recognized include National French Language Day (March 20), National Chinese Language Day (April 20), National English Language Day (April 23), National Spanish Language Day (April 23), National Russian Language Day (June 6) and National Arabic Language Day (December 18).  

The U.N. also celebrates International Mother Language Day on February 21 and International Translation Day on September 30. 

Answer to questions above: 1. Have fun with this one. Go. 2. There are none. #3. A tittle. #4. hazardous, stupendous, horrendous, tremendous. #5. SWIMS #6. dare #7.  170,000 words (and growing). #8. The sentence uses all the letters in the English alphabet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAYUuspQ6BY  

#EnglishLanguageDay 

@unitednations 

@nichecinema