So, we thought it would be funny and both interesting to start with random historical facts in each month to give you all a little extra flair.  Yes, we know it is not related to our famous tagline, “Everything Fire, EMS and First Responders”, but we thought it will be both interesting and a learning experience.

Okay, maybe on the interesting side.  Since, we have basically gone through half of the month of February, we thought we’d bring you all up to speed.  Here we go, ready or not….

Day 1:  (1948) National Freedom Day. This is the day that was established to be free from slavery and to be acquainted with the United States having the symbol of freedom.  Thanks to all of my service men and women for making this possible for all of us.

Day 2:  Groundhog’s Day.  Did you see your shadow?

And, very important to many of you, National Pet Travel Safety Day.  Founded by Celebrity Pet & Safety Expert, Animal Behaviorist & Former Los Angeles Paramedic, Colleen Paige.  “To raise awareness of the risks to your pets that exist in everyday automobile travel, air travel & hotel stays, water rec and more.”

And, Candlemas.  The Feast for Purification.  This is the last Christmas holiday of the Season.  It is a Christian celebration of the candles used by the church.

Day 3: Super Bowl Sunday – Superbowl XLV.  That was a great and interesting game.  Are you a football fan?  We are, though our fave Seattle Seahawks didn’t make it.

And,

Sad memories when Rock Singers Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash. (1959). Before my time but maybe some of you remember that day all too well.

Day 4:  Thank A Mailman Day.  I find this one amusing as the research says they are doing their job. After all, they deliver mail six (6) days a week.  Maybe we should change this to something else, since the USPS will now only deliver our mail five (5) days a week beginning in August 2013.  We still love our mail but we can’t live without mail one (1) extra day.

Day 5:  National Weatherman’s Day.  This was created in honor of Weatherman John Jeffries who was born on February 5, 1744, who kept accurate weather records from 1774 to 1816.  So get out there and thank your local weatherman.  Don’t blame me if it rains today when it’s supposed to be sunny. lol

Day 6: (1935) “Monopoly” board game goes on sale for the first time.  I love that game and now that they have Fire, EMS and Police game boards – even better!

And many years later (1971), Astronaut Alan Shepard hits three golf balls on the moon.  Wow! That would be awesome just flying into to space and landing on the moon.  Golf? Not so much. lol

Finally, something I wouldn’t want to be called or named but it is what it is….“Lame Duck Day”.  This is for the human form that tenures seems to be running out.  Don’t think of it as a negative day, but a positive.  Think about your successes and your accomplishments.  That’s what is the most important thing of all.

Day 7:  Wave All of your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day.  I know it sounds like a crazy holiday but it’s out there supposedly to get you and your neighbor to start the day with a smile on your face.   Hmmm… I can say some people don’t get along with their neighbors.  Mine, I love all of them.  I can say happily, I love the neighborhood I live in.

Day 8: (1910) Boy Scouts club is founded. I’m sure some of you were Boy Scouts at one time or another and have fond memories and such.

Day 9: (1964) The Beattles appear on the Ed Sullivan Show.

And, (1964)  An act of Congress is passed in the U.S. using the Weather Bureau.  Wow, It took an act of Congress for that?  Not surprising.

Day 10: Chinese New Year.  It’s the Year of the Snake. (2013)

And, (1964) Glen Miller receives the first gold record for selling a million copies of a song, “The Chattanooga Choo Choo.”  That was a pretty cool song and remains a fairly awesome song.  Maybe one of you has it somewhere buried in your old collection of records? Maybe not.

We can’t forget Umbrella Day.  This is a great holiday especially here in the Seattle area where it rains – a lot.  There’s no reason why this holiday was created or named, but I like it.  When you come and visit Seattle – don’t forget to bring your umbrella.

Last but not least piece of interesting historical facts on this 10th day of the month.  (1763) France cedes Canada to England, ending the French and Indian War.  Thank you France!

Day 11:  (1945) The Yalta Agreement is signed by Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin.  What the heck is The Yalta Agreement?  It was all about current war (WWWII) and post-war procedural manual and who would be invited into membership after the surrender of Japan. (my version how I read it on Wikipedia – very complicated stuff.)

And, (1809) Robert Fulton patents the Steamboat.

Day 12:  (1870) Women in the Utah Territory win the right to Vote. hallelujah!

And, we cannot forget a very important occasion on this day.  (1809) 16th United States President Abraham “Honest Abe” Lincoln’s Birthday.

Finally, we celebrate another event on this date Mardis Gras or known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Day.  They say this is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.  Mardi Gras is the day where you can eat everything and anything you want.  Ash Wednesday is the day where Christians have to give something up.  It is interesting to see how this celebration has evolved over the last few decades and most importantly, how it has become a huge celebration on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.  I’ll leave that colorful party up to your imagination.

Day 13: Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. This is the day that Christians give up something that they really enjoy and will go without for the next 46 days.

Day 14:  Valentines Day.

This day wasnt so glamorous back in the early days as it is completely commercialized in current times.

The Saint’s Valentines Day Massacre (1929) occurred.  Mobsters, dressed as policemen gunned down seven members of a rival gang.  Apparently, Al Capone didn’t like rival Northside Gang Member, George “Bugs” Malone and orders a hit.  Back and forth, they take out members of each others gang until one day when seven of Moran’s gang is taken out.  Hmmm….I could write a story about this. Darn. Someone has beaten me to the punch as there was a movie released in 1967.  This is the jist of the holiday, whether good or bad.  Let’s just remember the day in the present times.

Day 15: (1842) The Post Office uses adhesive postage stamps for the first time.  Thank goodness, no more licking stamps. Yuck!

Singles Awareness Day.  This is always the day after Valentines Day for those who are unattached or have no other significant other.  It is for Singles to get together and give each other presents.  I say “Party!”

Day 16: (1937) Nylon is patented but doesn’t become popular until decades later.  No words ….

And, (1948) NBC TV Nightly news first episode.

We must remember these National Monthlong Holidays:

* Spay/Neuter Your Pet (U.S. Humane Society) * Pet Dental Health Month * Responsible Pet Owner’s Month. *

We will make every attempt to keep you guessing on what the day will bring in some of these quirky holidays and events.

Hope you had just as much fun as we did,  dredging up these fun little historical tidbits.

Be safe out there my friends.

(c) 2013 The NW Fire Blog