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Did you know that April 14 has many national trivia days? Tomorrow I will be posting information on just a few of the 16 national days for April 14.
NATIONAL DOLPHIN DAY
International Moment of Laughter Day
NATIONAL PECAN DAY
LOOK UP AT THE SKY DAY
If you love trivia please feel free to gather some information and post them here tomorrow.
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Each year on April 14th, National Dolphin Day recognizes the social and intelligent mammals of the water. Dolphins are cetacean mammals that are related to whales and porpoises. They range in size from 4 feet to up to 30 feet; dolphins are among almost forty species in 17 genera. Found worldwide, they prefer the shallower seas of the continental shelves. As carnivores, their diet consists of mostly fish and squid.
Male dolphin – bull
Female dolphin – cow
Young dolphin – calf
Group of dolphins – school or pod
Social, Swift, and Intelligent
Dolphins are known to have acute eyesight both in and out of the water. They also have a well-developed sense of touch, with free nerve endings densely packed in the skin. Since they additionally have such acute hearing, they can hear frequencies ten times or more above the upper limit of what adult humans can. Dolphins are also capable of making a broad range of sounds using nasal air sacs located just below the blowhole.
Living in pods of up to a dozen dolphins, they are highly social animals. Pods do merge in areas where there is an abundance of food, forming superpods. These pods may exceed 1,000 dolphins. Dolphins can, and do, establish strong bonds within their pods. Even when one is injured or ill, they will stay, helping them to breathe by bringing them to the surface if needed.
You will see the dolphins frequently leaping above the water’s surface. They do this for various reasons; when traveling, jumping saves them energy as there is less friction while in the air. Their leaps even have a name called porpoising. Some other explanations for leaping include orientation, social display, fighting, non-verbal communication, entertainment and attempting to dislodge parasites.
The United States National Marine Mammal Foundation conducted a study revealing that dolphins, like humans, develop a natural form of type 2 diabetes. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of the disease and new treatments for both humans and dolphins.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDolphinDay
Learn more about dolphins, their habitats and how they live. Watch a documentary about dolphins. Share your knowledge about dolphins with others, too! Download and print the Dolphin Day coloring page. Use #NationalDolphinDay to post on social media. (Info here)
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Today is International Moment of Laughter Day
The unofficial holiday, created by humorologist Izzy Gesell, encourages people to forget the stresses of daily life and give into the healing and relaxing power of laughter. Medical studies have shown that laughing reduces stress, increases blood flow, and lowers blood sugar levels. Some studies have found that people who laugh just before going to bed are much more likely to sleep better than those who did not. In addition to its health benefits, laughter also has social advantages. People who are jovial tend to be quickly accepted in social groups and have an easier time making friends. Laughter is a way to spread joy and happiness and bring cheer in the lives of other people.
How to Celebrate?
Take a moment in the day to read or watch something that would make you laugh. Go with family and friends to watch a comedy show or comedy movie. Collect jokes and share them with colleagues, friends, and family.
Did You Know…
…that human laughter has a specific acoustic structure? Laughter can have a ha-ha-ha or ho-ho-ho structure, but it is humanly impossible to have a ha-ho-ha-ho structure to laughter. (Info here)
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Each year, National Pecan Day on April 14th celebrates one nut native to the United States. It’s also a favorite snack and ingredient across the country. A member of the hickory family, the pecan is native to central and southern United States. “Pecan” is an Algonquian word, meaning a nut requiring a stone to crack. They are an excellent source of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and vitamin E. Pecans can help reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol levels in the blood. They are also rich in dietary fiber.
Pecans make great snacks all on their own, but they also make terrific garnishes to other foods such as desserts, salads or the main meal. Sweet or savory, pecans can add a little glamor to a dish or be the star of the show.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPecanDay
Enjoy your favorite pecan recipes. There are so many to choose from, too! You can snack on roasted pecans or you can make baked goods such as pies or cookies. Top them on your salad. How will you use pecans to celebrate? We even have a couple of delicious recipes for you to try, too! Pecan Snack and Sugar Coated Pecans (Info here)
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On April 14, Look Up At The Sky Day encourages us to admire the beauty above us. On this day we all hope for good weather and an opportunity to fill our eyes with the sky from horizon to horizon.
There are many things that you can see as you sit back, relax and look up. The sky’s beautiful blue color, the clouds, and their many shapes. Perhaps the sun (maybe peeking through the clouds), and many different birds flying around captures our attention. At night, the skies many stars, the moon, and even the clouds drifting across the sky.
HOW TO OBSERVE #LookUpAtTheSkyDay
Spend time watching the clouds. Note the different shapes and how they move. At night, investigate the stars. Search the heavens for constellations, planets and the Milkyway. Watch for a meteor shower or a single falling star. Over the horizon, an aurora borealis might begin to dance bringing on a beautiful show. While you’re looking up at the sky, play a game or two. Download and print off the Sky Bingo game we created and see if you can find any of these things in the sky. Let us know if you win, too!
HISTORY OF LOOK UP AT THE SKY DAY
National Day Calendar believes Look Up At The Sky Day was created in honor of Jack Borden, founder of For Spacious Skies. However, we need more information, and we look to our followers to obtain it.
For generations, Jack Borden inspired children and adults to look up and admire the beauty above us. He continues to do so. In 1987, For Spacious Skies Day was proclaimed in Massachusetts on May 18th thanks to Jack Borden’s efforts. The story reported by Charles Kuralt below gives a detailed view of the impact Mr. Borden has had over the years. (Info here)
