July 22 - National Rat Catcher's Day

Happy National Rat Catcher's Day! On July 22, today commemorates the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The day also provides an opportunity to thank all present-day exterminators. 

According to the folktale dating back to the Middle Ages, residents of the German town of Hamelin hired a strangely dressed man to rid their village of rats. The Pied Piper of Hamelin did so by playing his flute.  

Upon finishing the task, the townsfolk refused to pay — so the Pied Piper returned. 

Once again, the Pied Piper played his flute while the children followed him. And with the Pied Piper, the children vanished, never to return.   

While a harrowing tale of revenge doesn’t seem like something to celebrate, someone found a way. Depending on where you live, the day includes festivals and re-enactments.  

Due to differing dates in stories and poems, Hamelin, Germany, celebrates the day on June 26. 

The event consists of a pied piper leading children through the city streets. There’s even Richard the Rat who gets to tell his version of the story. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Appreciate all rat catchers and make this their day! Read the story about the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Post on social media using #NationalRatCatchersDay. 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® was unable to find the creator of National Rat Catcher’s Day. The day is also known as Ratcatcher's Day, Rat-catcher’s Day or Rat-Catcher’s Day and is sometimes celebrated on June 26.  

The confusion stems from the Brothers Grimm as they cite June 26, 1284, as the date the Pied Piper led the children out of the town.  

At the same time, the poem by English Victorian poet and playwright Robert Browning uses the date July 22, 1376. 

#NationalRatCatchersDay 

#TheChanginTimes 

@nichecinema

July 22 - National Hammock Day

Happy National Hammock Day! On July 22, feel free to relax in the shade and enjoy today. These portable, comfortable slings create excellent napping spaces no matter where you are! 

A hammock is a sling made of fabric, rope or netting. When suspended between two points, a hammock forms a sling used for swinging, sleeping or resting. We usually suspend a hammock between trees or posts.   

The hammock dates back thousands of years to Central America where it protected people from creatures and dirt.  

However, the netted bed didn’t find Europe until explorers brought it back in the 17th century. Not long after, the hammock found its way onto naval ships, providing comfort and maximizing space. 

After swaying across the oceans, the hammock eventually became a more leisurely item. Made from a variety of fabrics, it suspended between trees in backyards and at lake cabins.  

Easily packed into a backpack, hammocks became essential elements of survival. Hikers, campers and mountain climbers added the light and compact sleep sling to their kits. 

If the leisure of hammocks seems ho-hum to you, don’t go the relaxing route. Extreme hammocking puts the adventure into your rest and relaxation. Thrill-seekers sleep in hammocks hundreds of feet above a canyon floor. 

Whether you use a hammock to take a nap or as a convenient tool in your camping kit, July 22 second recognizes one innovative way to catch some sleep. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Hang up your hammock and take a nap. Use your own or borrow a hammock to celebrate. Host a hammock event, encouraging others to relax in the great outdoors.  

Share photos of your hammock experience by posting on social media using #NationalHammockDay. 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® is researching the origins of this relaxing holiday. In the meantime, won’t you check out these other stress-free days? 

• • Gorgeous Grandma Day

• • Cousins Day

• • Waterpark Day 

• • Coloring Book Day 

#NationalHammockDay 

@wiseowloutfitters 

@nichecinema

June 22- National Hot Dog Day

Happy National Hot Dog Day! July celebrates a summertime staple on a bun. Enjoy one piping hot and add some relish and mustard to go!  

 

One thing we want to know – is it a sandwich or not?  

 

Celebrated every year during National Hot Dog Month, today pays homage to the frankfurter, the footlong or wienie, wiener, wienerwurst or even red hot. They taste just as great no matter what we call it. 

Over twenty-five million hot dogs are sold at baseball stadiums each year! 

We make them a variety of ways. They’re portable and easy to make. While many of us prefer them grilled or toasted over a fire, we also boil, pan-fry, and rotisserie-cook them.  

The list of toppings are numerous  – from the basic ketchup, mustard or relish to onions, mayonnaise, cheese, bacon, chili and sauerkraut – the list keeps growing. Adults and children alike love them as well. 

On May 31, 2012, a world record was set for the most expensive hot dog. The “California Capitol City Dawg” sold for $145.49 at Capitol Dawg in Sacramento, California! 

With a price like that, it should be considered a certifiable haute dog.

The “California Capitol City Dawg” features:  

 

• •  A grilled 18″ all-beef, in natural casing frank from Chicago 

• • Served on a fresh-baked herb and oil focaccia roll spread with white truffle butter, then grilled 

• • Topped with whole grain mustard from France, garlic and herb mayonnaise 

• • Sauteéd chopped shallots, organic mixed baby greens, maple syrup 

• • Marinated/fruitwood smoked uncured bacon from New Hampshire 

• • Chopped tomatoes, sweetened dried cranberries, chopped tomato 

• • Expensive moose cheese from Sweden 

• • Basil olive oil/pear-cranberry-coconut balsamic vinaigrette and ground peppercorn 

• • Proceeds from the sale of each 3 lb. super dog donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children 

7-Eleven sells the most grilled hot dogs in North America – one hundred million annually! 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

 
There are so many ways to celebrate the day!  

• 
  

  • Host a hot dog roast. 

• • Share your favorite toppings.  

• • Take a poll to find out which is most preferred – blackened hot dogs or just cooked through? 

• • Explore the best hot dog eateries near you and give them a shout out.  

• • Challenge people to defend their position on this question: Is a hot dog a sandwich? 

While you’re celebrating, have a hot dog. Post your favorite hot dogs using #NationalHotDogDay to encourage others to join in. 

 
HISTORY 

 
In 1991, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council established National Hot Dog Day to coincide with a hot dog lunch on Capitol Hill. The observance occurs every year on a Wednesday in July. 

 
http://www.hot-dog.org 

 
How do you like your hot dog? 

 
#NationalHotDogDay 

@NHDSC 

@GuinnessWorldRecords 

@OscarMayer 

@nathansfamous 

@7Eleven

@caphillDC 

@nichecinema