January 16 - National Religious Freedom Day

Happy National Religious Freedom Day! Each year commemorates the day of which the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was signed on January 16, 1786. Each year, by Presidential Proclamation, January 16th is declared Religious Freedom Day.

  

3rd U.S. President Thomas Jefferson’s landmark statute became the basis for United States Representative and Congressman Fisher Ames’ establishment clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

The First Freedom Center in Richmond Virginia commemorates this day by holding an annual First Freedom Award banquet.

The statute guarantees the fundamental freedom to openly practice one’s faith without fear of being harassed, jailed or killed. Additionally, under the statute, each person may freely change their religion without retribution. In the United States, people of different faiths have equal rights to practice their religion.

  

Around the world, religious restrictions continue to rise. According to Pew research, in the last decade legislation, attitudes, and policies are rising globally. Even those countries usually considered restrictive are increasing their limitations. When looking at countries with the most equality, they too show a change in policies and attitudes toward religious freedom.

  

Religious freedom is a global concern, not only a national one.

  

HOW TO OBSERVE

While recognizing the U.S. commemoration, take a broader look. Feel free to learn more about religious freedom in the United States and around the world.

•  Watch First Freedom on PBS 

•  Learn about other faiths  

•  Practice your own faith 

•  Participate in an interfaith event such as the one mentioned on Share America 
•  Read about other faiths and their experiences in the United States 

You can watch First Freedom by visiting the link below:

https://www.pbs.org/video/first-freedom-campaign-1800/ 

You can find out more about Share America bye visiting the link below: 

https://share.america.gov/exploring-religious-freedom-and-diversity-in-u-s/ 

Use #ReligiousFreedomDay to post on social media.

HISTORY

Every year since 1993, the President of the United States proclaims January 16th National Religious Freedom Day.  

What is your religion?

#ReligiousFreedomDay 

@PBS 

@pewresearch 

@nichecinema 

January 16 - Irving Rapper

Happy Birthday, Irving Rapper! Born today in 1898, this English-born American dialogue director and film director was one of the last surviving directors from the "Golden Age of Hollywood". 

He is best known for directing the 1942 American black and white drama/melodrama film 'Now, Voyager'.  

Nicknamed Skippy, Rapper passed in Los Angeles, California on December 20, 1999. He was 101. This was just four weeks shy of his 102nd birthday. 

Rapper had been active from 1929-1978. 

#borntodirect 

@Criterion 

@tcm 

January 16 - John Carpenter

Happy 72nd Birthday, John Carpenter! Born today in 1948 as John Howard Carpenter, this American keyboardist, musician, composer, editor, screenwriter, producer and film director has worked with various movie genres. 

Aside from this, Carpenter is also associated most commonly with horror, action, and science fiction films of the 1970s and 1980s. 

He was also known as Frank Armitage, John T. Chance, Rip Haight, Martin Quatermass, The Horror Master and The Master of Horror. 

Carpenter has been active from 1969–present. 

#borntodirect 

@TheHorrorMaster 

January 15 - National Strawberry Ice Cream Day

Happy National Strawberry Ice Cream Day! Each year on January 15th, today celebrates one of the choicest flavors of ice cream. However, all flavors of ice cream are recognized on July 1st.

  

Strawberry ice cream is made by blending either strawberries or strawberry flavoring with eggs, cream, vanilla, and sugar. Food coloring is often used to give it the pink or light red hue.

In 1813 during 4th U.S. President James Madison’s second inauguration, strawberry ice cream was served. It’s also one of the three flavors found in Neapolitan ice cream, along with vanilla and chocolate. Other variations of strawberry ice cream include strawberry cheesecake ice cream and strawberry ripple ice cream.

  

HOW TO OBSERVE

Holidays are best celebrated with someone else, so be sure to grab a bowl or two. Invite someone to join you while you enjoy a dish of strawberry ice cream as well.  

Strawberries tend to remind us of summer, so imagine the things you’ll do when the days are warmer. National Day Calendar® has even provided a few recipes to make and share with the links below: 

Easy Celebration Ice Cream Cake

https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/recipe/075140/easy-ice-cream-cake-hot-fudge 

Yummy Strawberry Shake

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/20506/yummy-strawberry-shake/ 

Strawberry Ice Cream Pie 

https://www.cooks.com/recipe/u07a03m2/strawberry-ice-cream-pie.html

Use #StrawberryIceCreamDay to post on social media.

HISTORY

National Day Calendar® continues to pursue the origins of this frozen food holiday. While they do, they promise that there will be more ice cream days to celebrate in the days to come. 

And in between, there will be cake days...and donut days, too. Also, don’t forget the cookie days that they will most certainly sandwich their ice cream between. 

#StrawberryIceCreamDay 

@nichecinema