April 28 - National Blueberry Pie Day

Happy National Blueberry Pie Day! On April 28 each year, today ushers in blueberry pie-making season. Blueberry harvest begins in April and lasts until September giving us a long season full of blueberry enjoyment. 

We’ve been enjoying blueberries in pies since early American settlers arrived. 

In 1872, the first documented recipe for blueberry pie appeared in the Appledore Cook Book (1872). Blueberries are abundant in Maine, so it’s no surprise that blueberry pie is the state’s official dessert! 

  

During the early 1900s, this once wild berry became domesticated thanks to the observations of New Jersey agricultural specialist Elizabeth Coleman White and the research of American botanist Dr. Frederick V. Coville.  

  

Before their efforts, wild blueberries were never successfully transplanted and raised in any farming operation for personal or commercial production. The only way to enjoy fresh blueberries was to seek them out where they grew naturally. 

Through the efforts of White and Coville, today, producers and private gardeners bring to fruition these amazingly delicious berries.  

From farm to table or farmer to the grocer to you, these vibrant berries pack a punch in vitamins and health benefits.  They make a great snack all on their own or enhance a meal, make stellar desserts or sauces. Whatever this berry does, it does with panache! 

It’s one of the healthiest fruits on the market as well. Full of antioxidants, this nutrient berry helps inhibit cancer development and helps prevent urinary tract disease.  

Eating blueberries may also assist in maintaining healthy blood pressure, reduce blood sugar, and ease symptoms of depression. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Bake up a blueberry pie. While you’re at it, bake two and give one away. National Day Calendar® even have a recipe for you to try. 

Visit the website below for the recipe. 

Blueberry Pie 

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/blueberry-pie/ 

Use #BlueberryPieDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this pie holiday. 

#BlueberryPieDay 

#RobertMcCloskey 

@RealFatsDomino

@Foodimentary 

@nichecinema 

April 28 - National Superhero Day

Happy National Superhero Day! Each year on April 28th, National Superhero Day honors superheroes, both real and fictional. 

  

Batman, Superman, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Hulk, and Spiderman are just some of the superheroes whose names we recognize.   

Even though they are fictional, these superheroes are great role models for our children. They serve and protect while fighting evil. 

"Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary."  ~Gerard Way 

Our real-life superheroes may not have superpowers or wear capes, but they are also great role models who serve and protect while fighting evil.   

Military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and teachers are just a few of the heroes who protect us on a daily basis. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Take your favorite superhero to lunch and say thank you for all they do. Let them know that you appreciate them.  

Share what you think makes a hero. Take a picture with your favorite hero. Post photos on social media using #NationalSuperheroDay. 

Educators and families, check out the National Day Classroom for projects to #CelebrateEveryDay! 

HISTORY 

In 1995, Marvel Comics‘ employees created National Superhero Day. 

Who is your favorite superhero? Who do you see as a superhero? 

#NationalSuperheroDay 

@Marvel 

@dc 

@nichecinema

April 28 - National Great Poetry Reading Day

Happy National Great Poetry Reading Day! At the tail end of National Poetry Month, April 28 marks the observance for any and all great poetry writers everywhere. This day celebrates distinguished poetry and the notable poets who wrote them. 

As an art form, poetry may predate literacy. Epic poetry appears to have been composed in poetic form to aid memorization and oral transmission in prehistoric and ancient societies. It is directly from folk songs that other types of poetry developed. 

With so many forms of poetry to choose from, no one is limited. For example, choose from the sonnet, shi, villanelle, tanka, haiku, ode, and ghazal. 

There are also different genres of poetry including narrative, epic, dramatic, satirical, lyric, elegy, verse fable, prose, and speculative poetry. 

Some of the well-known, great poets include William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Robert Frost, Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson, and T.S. Eliot. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Share a verse or two. Introduce the great poets to someone you know. Settle back, relax, and read your favorite poetry.  

Complete the Poetry Month word search to discover more about poetry by visiting the website below. 

https://n7jmr7muhj-flywheel.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Poetry-Month.pdf 

Explore the poems of William Blake or John Keats. If you’re unfamiliar with Maya Angelou, discover her poetry now. 

Perhaps a few lines of E.E. Cummings or Elizabeth Barrett Browning will complete the day. Who are we missing? Silvia Plath? Oscar Wilde? William Carlos Williams? Feel free to tell National Day Calendar®. 

Host a small poetry reading in your living room. Pick your favorite poems and read them aloud. Read them with expression. Take turns with family members and share the limelight.  

Use #GreatPoetryReadingDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® continues to research the origins of this poetry holiday. However, they have found it’s been celebrated since at least 1994. 

Who is your favorite great poet? 

#GreatPoetryReadingDay 

@poemstogo 

@nichecinema