December 15 - Bill Of Rights Day

 

Bill of Rights Day (by Presidential Proclamation) 

Now, Therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate December 15, 1941, as Bill of Rights Day.  

And I call upon the officials of the Government, and upon the people of the United States, to observe the day by displaying the flag of the United States on public buildings and by meeting together for such prayers and such ceremonies as may seem to them appropriate. 

To view the official proclamation – http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=16046 

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. 

Passed by U.S. Congress on September 25, 1789, these rights place limits on government power. 

Did you know? 

• • The bill was introduced by James Madison. He later became the 4th U.S. President. 

  • The Bill of Rights initially had twelve proposed amendments. One concerned the number of constituents for each Representative. The other addressed the compensation of a Congressman. Neither was ratified. 
• • In 1992, the compensation of a Congressman was ratified two hundred and three years later and is now the 27th amendment. 
• • The Bill of Rights is displayed in The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. 
• • There were fourteen copies of the Bill of Rights; one for each of the thirteen states to sign and one for the federal archives. Only twelve copies survive today. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

 
Display the flag of the United States on public buildings. Read the Bill of Rights. See if you can pass a quiz about the Bill of Rights. 

Use #BillOfRightsDay to post on social media. 

 
http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2013/05/can-you-pass-this-bill-of-rights-quiz/ 

 
HISTORY 

 
On December 15, 1941, 32nd U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated Bill of Rights Day. 

 
#BillOfRightsDay

@congressdotgov 

@amerrican.presidency.project 

@constitutionctr 

@nichecinema 

December 14 - National Monkey Day

Happy National Monkey Day! Every year on December 14, today celebrates any and all of the unique characteristics of simians. 

The day also focuses on other non-human primates such as apes, tarsiers, and lemurs.  

Monkeys, also known as simians, live all over the world. More than two hundred and sixty species of monkeys populate Africa, Central America, South America, and Asia! 

Monkeys can range in size from mere ounces like the pygmy marmoset to the mandrill at a heavier eighty pounds!  

Monkeys tend to walk on all four limbs. As a member of the primate family, they are considered a lesser ape.  

Most monkeys have a tail, though not all do. Monkeys are divided into two categories – Old World monkeys and New World monkeys. 

 

When is National Sea Monkey Day? 

Their personalities and habits capture the attention of humans on many levels. These intelligent mammals with opposable thumbs live in family groups as well.  

However, many species of monkeys are endangered. Some endangered species from around the world include: 

• • Indri – Found in Madagascar, this lemur faces hunting due to hunting and deforestation. 

  • Roloway monkey – This bearded monkey founded in Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana lives in tropical forests. They’re hunted for their meat. 
• • Western chimpanzee – Another monkey threatened by hunting, it has a larger territory. They live in the rainforests and savannahs of western Africa. 
• • Ecuadorian White-Fronted Capuchin – Locals hunt them because the White-fronted Capuchins threaten local crops. The Capuchins range through Ecuador and Peru. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

 
Discover more about these fascinating primates. Learn about monkeys who live through all kinds of weather in Nature’s Snow Monkeys (2014). 

Disney’s documentary Monkey Kingdom (2015) about the monkeys of South Asia follows a family and shows us the social hierarchy that exists among the community. 

Read about monkeys and their habitats. Children’s books that teach them about monkeys include: 

• 
  

  • Meet the Howlers! (2009) by April Pulley Sayer and illustrated by Woody Miller 

  • Monkey Colors (2012) by Darrin Lunde and illustrated by Ms. Patricia J. Wynne 
• • No Monkeys, No Chocolate (2013) by Melissa Stewart 

Consider donating to conservation efforts. The World Wildlife Fund combats the destruction of rainforests which is vital habitat for the black spider monkey, a vulnerable species. 

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/black-spider-monkey 

Educators and families, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for projects and ideas to help you Celebrate Every Day! 

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/december-classroom/ 

Use #MonkeyDay to post on social media. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm9AeRG-5sw 

See more jingles from The Knits on YouTube. 

HISTORY 

A Michigan State University art student, Casey Sorrow, created National Monkey Day when he wrote Monkey Day on his friend’s calendar. A celebration eventually followed and grew. 

http://monkeyday.com 

What is your favorite species of monkey(s)?

#MonkeyDay 

#BlackSpiderMonkeysMatter 

@worldwildlifefund

@pbs 

@Disney 

@theknitsmusic 

@nichecinema