When is the last time you considered throwing a party? Can’t think of a reason to? Get some party throwing ideas from things other people may be celebrating this week!
This week you could be throwing a party for:
July 1 party throwing suggestions:
Canada Day: A holiday that marks the anniversary of Confederation, also known as Dominion Day. The history of the holiday is actually somewhat entertaining as it seems it was a bit…forced. It seems it only took from when the government politely suggested the first annual celebration in 1858, until 1982. So, about one hundred twenty four years (and a sneaky late night vote for a rename) to, finally, get the Canadian people to celebrate the holiday.
International Chicken Wing Day –
Not to be confused with National Chicken Wing Day, which will cover American chicken wing history. The world history of eating chickens began much earlier. Evidence found that chickens were likely first kept for food in Israel, probably between 200 and 400 BC. The oldest recipe for chicken wings that has been uncovered comes from China in 750 AD, known as the Imperial Consort Chicken. Rumor has it some Emperor had a specific consort with a chicken wing preference, though there are many versions of the recipe now. I wonder if the wings were split in half like we do today. If you ask me, the drumette and the flat should be one wing because chickens do not have four wings, they have two.
International Joke Day – The holiday was created by American novelist Wayne Reinagel in 1998 to market his joke books. Jokes have been around for a long time, and honestly our humor has changed less than I would have thought. My reasoning? In 2008, British historians tracked down the world’s oldest known joke — a fart joke from 1900 BC. Ready?
Here it goes:
“Something that has never occurred since time immemorial – a young woman did not fart on her husband’s lap.”
National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day is celebrated on the first day of National Ice Cream Month, which was declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. I don’t know if I would try some of the most creative flavors, such as Deviled Egg Custard with Smoked Black Tea or Coffee Garlic Herb Almond Chip. But if you have a favorite weird flavor, let us know!
National Gingersnap Day- Turns out gingersnaps have been around for centuries. Early versions of the spiced cookies may have been invented by German monks in the 13th century, and recipes were brought to America by early colonists. The name comes from the German or Middle Dutch word snappen, which means “to seize quickly”. I genuinely thought it was because they were supposed to be crispy enough to “snap” when you bent them. Just me? At least know I can enjoy a soft gingersnap without contemplating if they go against the name now.
And finally we honor our Mail system in three ways today:
National Postal Workers Day- Richard E. Baker, a former USPS employee in the Seattle area, established National Postal Workers Day in 1997. Benjamin Franklin was appointed as the first postmaster General in the year 1775 and there by post office was established,
National U.S. Postage Stamp Day-The United States issued its first postage stamp on July 1, 1847. At that time, stamps were not required. A letter could be mailed without a stamp and delivery paid for by the recipient. In 1855, the postage stamp became mandatory. Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were the first two stamps for $.05-$.10 compared to our current stamp price of $.68, or $.73 if you’re seeing this after July 14, 2024.
Zip Code Day- Created to appreciate the organization and efficiency brought to our daily routines by ZIP codes. This system ensures that every piece of mail gets to its intended destination, making our lives a bit easier. early 1960s when the ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) code system was introduced in the United States.
The most famous zip code? Beverly Hills, 90210.
Throwing a party on July 2:
National I Forgot Day-Gaye Anderson, from DeMotte, Indiana, created National I Forgot Day to celebrate and forgive forgetfulness. Anderson was known for frequently forgetting important dates, such as her daughter’s birthday and wedding anniversary. Instead of getting upset about her forgetfulness, she decided to embrace it by establishing a day to encourage people to take proactive steps to improve their memory. My favorite memory trick is mnemonics, like Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.
National Report Military Fraud Day-started in 2018. It was formed by Joel Hesch, a whistleblower attorney who spent over 15 years working in Department of Justice whistleblower reward office. While at DOJ, Mr. Hesch obtained over $1.2 billion in recoveries back for the government from those cheating the government and paid out hundred of millions in rewards to whistleblowers. Mr. Hesch formed his own law firm and now exclusively represents whistleblowers nationwide in filing for rewards for reporting fraud against the government, including military fraud.
National Anisette Day: Anisette is a sweet, uniquely flavored drink made from distilled aniseed, absinthe’s sweeter cousin, anisette is a liqueur distilled from the seed of the anise plant, resulting in a licorice-flavored liquor. Native to the mediterranean, anisette dates back to ancient Egypt, where anise was revered for its purported medicinal qualities.
Made In The USA Day: A day to celebrate American-made excellence and support local craftsmanship, Joel Joseph of the Made in the USA Foundation created Made In The USA Day in 1989. The mission of this foundation was to promote American-made products and help uplift the domestic manufacturing sector.
World UFO Day-commemorates two separate dates June 24 and July 2 on the National Day Calendar. The June 24 date recognizes the first widely reported UFO sighting in 1947 by aviator Kenneth Arnold. The July 2 date commemorates the incident that took place the same year in Roswell, New Mexico.
Throwing a party on July 3:
International Plastic Bag Free Day– Rezero, a member of Zero Waste Europe (ZWE), started International Plastic Bag Free Day on July 3, 2008 in Barcelona, Catalonia. The day was originally a small event, but ZWE later developed it into a global event. One easy thing we do with our excess plastic bags besides reusing them as trash bags, is we bring them to WalMart where they recycle them into reusable bags and employee vests.
National Chocolate Wafer Day– While cookies and pastries containing cocoa have been produced for centuries, the commercial version of the chocolate wafer got its start back in 1924. The cookies were originally available in three flavors: chocolate, ginger, and sugar, but the ginger and sugar flavors were discontinued shortly after their launch.
National Eat Beans Day- Paula Bowen to commemorate not only her father but also to pay respect to the German-Czech biologist and geneticist Gregor Mendel, who died on January 6th, 1884. You may recognize him from his work with pea plants between 1856 and 1863, which established many of the principles of inheritance (now known as the laws of Mendelian inheritance).
National Fried Clam Day- Started by Woodman’s of Essex, a seafood restaurant in Essex, Massachusetts. The story is that over 100 years ago (on July 3rd, 1916) Lawrence “Chubby” Woodman, at the humorous suggestion of a friend, fried up a few clams at his roadside stand in Essex, Massachusetts and the original New England fried clams were born.
National Stay Out of the Sun Day- First celebrated in 2005 with the purpose of raising awareness about how overexposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause serious health problems. Especially if you, like me, are a redhead! The same genetic trait that causes red hair also makes redheads more sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. Redheads lack eumelanin, a protective dark pigment that absorbs and scatters UV rays, but redheads can also produce vitamin D in shorter amounts of time than people with other hair colors.
National Compliment Your Mirror Day- The origins of the concept can be traced back to the writings of David Hume in the 18th century. He suggested that it is very important to value and think well of yourself because it serves as a motivational function. In the 1970s, self-esteem began to be recognized as an important pillar in the academic performance of students and the overall happiness of young people. I don’t often compliment my mirror verbally, but Mel Robbins suggests high-fiving your reflection, which is a great non-verbal compliment.
International Drop a Rock Day- The Word Rocks Project, an organization that has been “Crafting with a purpose since 2011”, started International Drop a Rock Day in 2015. The day is celebrated on July 3rd with the goal of uniting people through rock painting art to show kindness and positivity.
I must admit I do love finding a painted rock unexpectedly.
Throwing a party on July 4:
U.S. Independence Day-Fireworks date back as a tradition of Independence Day as early as the first anniversary in 1777. John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife, Abigail, that he wanted Independence Day to be celebrated with pomp, parade, shows, and “Illuminations.” This original letter was written when Adams presumed that Independence Day would be celebrated on July 2.
Fry an egg on the sidewalk day- According to the library of congress, this may not be possible. The math says that eggs need at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit to cook, and sidewalks get to 145 degrees and the added egg cools it further. But honestly, sidewalk is probably not the best conductor of heat or the most sanitary cooking option, so I think we’re better off not testing it.
Alice in Wonderland Day- The 150th anniversary of the first publication of the story was in 2015, and that was the first time Alice in Wonderland Day was celebrated. It was chosen for July 4, because that is the day that Lewis Carroll (Born in Cheshire, England as Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, this author was a mathematician who published children’s novels and nonsense verse under his famous pseudonym) originally told the story to Alice Liddell before ever writing it down, before it was published in 1865.
National Barbecued SpareRibs Day- The term spare ribs is an Early Modern English corruption (via sparrib) of rippspeer, a Low German term that referred to racks of meat being roasted on a turning spit. St. Louis style ribs (or St. Louis cut spare ribs) have had the sternum bone, cartilage, and rib tips removed. The exact origins of National Barbecued Spareribs Day are unclear, but it likely gained popularity through barbecue enthusiasts, food bloggers, and social media. The day is celebrated on July 4th, which is also American Independence Day, and some say it makes sense to honor both at the same time.
National Caesar Salad Day- During the holiday weekend of 1924, Caesar Cardini created the Caesar salad for an elite Hollywood crowd at his Tijuana, Mexico restaurant. According to his daughter, Rose Cardini, Caesar improvised the salad when the kitchen was low on ingredients, using lettuce, croutons, olive oil, raw egg, Worcestershire sauce, and Parmesan cheese. However, others claim that Caesar’s brother, Alex, or a friend may have actually created the salad. Alex, a World War I aviator, may have tossed the salad and added anchovies, calling it “Aviator’s Salad” to honor his fellow pilots.
National Hillbilly Day- This holiday was conceptualized by the Ozark Mountain Jubilee, a radio program that helped popularize the term hillbilly in the 1930s. The show was later turned into a television program that ran from 1955 on A.B.C. In 1971, National Hillbilly Day was initiated at a festival in Bentonville, Arkansas, to raise money for the city’s first library.
Throwing a party on July 5:
National Graham Cracker Day- to honor Reverend Graham, the namesake of the snack. Sylvester Graham, a Presbyterian minister and health reformer, invented graham crackers in 1829 as part of his “Graham Diet”. Graham’s diet was a radical new philosophy that aimed to combat poor American diets by promoting whole grains and other foods rich in fiber. Graham’s crackers were unbleached, unsweetened, and made from whole wheat flour, which was considered “food for the lower class” at the time. Graham believed that his crackers would help young people avoid self-abuse and that clean eating and living would lead to salvation. The day may also be intended to change people’s perception of graham crackers, which some may find bland.
National Bikini Day- French fashion designer and automobile engineer Louis Réard is credited with inventing the modern bikini on July 5, 1946. Réard’s design was introduced in Paris and modeled by Micheline Bernardini. The name “bikini” comes from the Bikini Atoll, where the United States conducted atomic tests during World War II, and Réard hoped his creation would be as explosive as the tests. That’s one marketing method, I guess…
National Hawaii Day- Founded in 2017 to celebrate Hawaii, the most isolated island chain on Earth. The Kingdom of Hawaiʻi was sovereign from 1810 until 1893, when resident American and European capitalists and landholders overthrew the monarchy. Hawaiʻi was an independent republic from 1894 until August 12, 1898, when it officially became a U.S. territory. Hawaiʻi was admitted as the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959.
National Workaholics Day- Created to recognize people who work long hours and to remind them to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The day was founded to draw attention to the need for rest and balance in life, and to encourage people who may be workaholics to try different activities.
Comic Sans Day- This began as a humorous event in 2009, created by two Dutch DJs, Coen Swijnenberg and Sander Lantinga. They wanted to celebrate the Comic Sans font, which was often criticized for its widespread and sometimes inappropriate use.
Mechanical Pencil Day- Not to be confused with pencil day, March 30, The inventor and its date of invention are debated. The unique holiday is dedicated to this innovative writing tool. The first evidence of a mechanical pencil of sorts was invented in 1565 by Swiss naturalist and bibliographer Conrad Gesner. The first mechanical pencil with a mechanism that propelled the lead and whose leaders could be replaced was patented in 1822 by Sampson Mordan and John Isaac Hawkins in Britain.
National Apple Turnover Day- According to legend, apple turnovers originated in 1630 in St. Calais, France, when the town’s Chatelaine gave the townspeople apples and flour to help them recover from an epidemic. The town still exists today and celebrates the event annually with the Fete du Chausson aux Pommes. Though nearly every culture has a recipe for a turnover in its repertoire!
Pet Remembrance Day – Founded by Pets Magazine and Lars Anderson, founder of Arty Lobster. Their vision was a day to pay homage to this age-old bond. It’s a day dedicated to all pets, and it celebrates the wonderful part they played in our lives.
Throwing a party on July 6:
National Air Traffic Control Day- President Ronald Reagan established National Air Traffic Control Day on July 6, 1986, by issuing a proclamation to mark the 50th anniversary of the United States air traffic control system. The day recognizes the air traffic professionals who keep air travel safe by navigating, monitoring, and guiding aircraft around airports. It also highlights the advancements in air traffic control systems, from early systems to the sophisticated networks used today.
Virtually Hug a Virtual Assistant Day- The origins of this day are tied to the broader history of the virtual assistant role, which has evolved alongside technological advancements. While you may not want to e-hug them, I’m sure they would appreciate a note of appreciation.
International Cherry Pit Spitting Day- Herb Teichman, owner of Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm in Eau Claire, Michigan, is credited with creating International Cherry Pit Spitting Day in 1974. Teichman organized a small cherry pit spitting contest at his farm as a way to add some fun to a picnic. The event quickly became popular and evolved into an annual competition that ran for 45 years, until the farm was sold in 2019. The competition is now recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as an official event.
International Day of Cooperatives- Established by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the international cooperative movement. The United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed the day in 1992, and it was first celebrated in 1995 to mark the ICA’s 100th anniversary.
National Hop-A-Park Day- A day to encourage everyone to visit their local parks for recreation and relaxation. In the early days, Persian kings owned parks only for hunting. In 1634, the Boston Common public park was created. Yellowstone National Park, the first of its kind in the world, was established in 1872, while in the mid-1900s, mini (pocket) parks that measure only about a quarter of an acre but offer access to greenery like other park types began to spring up. The American government created the National Park Services in 1916 to oversee all the affairs of parks in the country.
National Hand Roll Day- Founded in 2019 by Sushi Nozawa Group to celebrate the beloved sushi handroll. Hand roll sushi is called, “Temaki” and is a cone-shaped individual serving. If you’re wondering what’s the proper way to eat sushi: A hand roll is generally eaten with bare hands, while a roll is usually consumed by using chopsticks.
International Kissing Day– The day is came about because to ensure people don’t forget the simple pleasures associated with kissing for kissing’s sake, as opposed to kissing as mere social formality or prelude to other activities.
Throwing a party on July 7:
National Day of Rock ‘n Roll- established by Christina Alexander in 2020, celebrates rock music’s enduring influence and cultural significance. Rock and roll fun fact, Jobn Lennon was featured as the cover story on the first issue of Rolling Stone, but the Beatles hold the record for most covers with more than 30.
National Dora Day- A day to celebrate the Spanish-speaking adventurer Dora the Explorer, the main character in the American children’s animated television series and multimedia franchise of the same name. (Aired Aug 14, 2000-Apr 22, 2015) (New version Feb 2024).
National Father Daughter Take a Walk Day- The origins can be traced back to the 1970s. The day was created to encourage fathers to spend more time with their daughters and to highlight the benefits of family bonding and physical activity. For some reason there isn’t a father/son walk day, but if you ask us, any family walk sounds like a great one!
National Koi Day- This day was chosen to honor Hanako, the world’s oldest koi fish, who was born in 1751 and died on July 7, 1977. Koi originated in China around the fourth century, but are also popular in Japan, where they are culturally significant and represent love and friendship. The largest koi ever recorded was 91 pounds and four feet long.
World Kiswahili Language Day-1954, the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU)—the ruling party of then Tanganyika—led by Julius Nyerere, declared Swahili as an important tool in the fight for independence. Swahili, also known by its local name Kiswahili, is a Bantu language originally spoken by the Swahili people, who are found primarily in Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique (along the East African coast and adjacent littoral islands). World Swahili Language Day marks the first United Nations designation of an African-originated language for a Official languages of the United Nations Language Days at the UN, the other language days were from the six (6) official languages of the United Nations which are Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish.
Global Forgiveness Day- The Christian Embassy of Christ’s Ambassadors (CECA) started Global Forgiveness Day in 1994 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The day was originally called National Forgiveness Day, but was renamed as it gained popularity around the world.
International Peace & Love Day-day was created in June 2021 by Gary Astridge. Fun fact: The peace sign, which is universally recognized today, was originally created for the British nuclear disarmament movement in 1958 by Gerald Holtom.
National Dive Bar Day- This holiday was founded by founded by Seagram’s 7 Crown. But why is a “dive bar” called that? According to the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, it first appeared in an 1871 copy of the New York Herald. The term “dive” would describe disreputable places, often located in cellars or basements, so patrons would “dive” into the establishment.
National Macaroni Day- “Macaroni” is also a general term for small and medium dried pasta shapes, but in America it’s often used to refer specifically to elbow macaroni, the small curved pasta tubes used in mac and cheese and pasta salads.
National Strawberry Sundae Day- While the oldest known record of an ice cream sundae is an Ithaca, NY advertisement, the originator of the dessert is debated. The October 5, 1892 ad in the Ithaca Daily Journal discussed the ice cream treat with the conventional day of the week spelling – Sunday. Ithaca’s claim to the ice cream sundae takes place at Platt & Colt Pharmacy in 1892 where Reverend John M. Scott stops to order a bowl of ice cream. When Chester Platt, proprietor, began preparing the ice cream for his customer, he didn’t stop at just a couple of scoops of vanilla. Platt drizzled cherry syrup over the ice cream and topped them with a bright red, candied cherry. The dessert looked and tasted so delightful it required its own name. Since the day was Sunday, it was named for the day it was created. Ithaca also has historical evidence supporting the story, including an advertisement for a Cherry Sunday. However, Two Rivers, Wisconsin claims that Druggist Edward Berners served the first ice cream sundae in 1881. According to the story, customer George Hallauer ordered an ice cream soda on a Sunday. Since ordinances at the time prohibited the sale of ice cream sodas on the Sabbath, Berners came up with a compromise and served the ice cream in a dish minus the soda. He topped it with chocolate syrup and called it a Sundae.
Tell the Truth Day- A day dedicated to honesty and the rejection of manipulation and lying. Resolve to always tell the truth and be honest. The unofficial holiday encourages people to always tell the truth, even if it is often times inconvenient and hard.
World Chocolate Day- This day is not to be confused with International Chocolate Day on September 13, or two other National Chocolate Days, this is another day where we celebrate chocolate. Honestly, I think we could even do more chocolate days. Maybe weekly? This one started in 2009 and some suggest it to be the anniversary of the introduction of chocolate to Europe in 1550.
Anything worth throwing a party for this week? If not, check back next week for even more things to celebrate! And if you’re looking for a Photo Booth for your celebration, check out our YouTube videos on all the cool things photo booths can do now, and questions to ask before you book to make sure your expectations are met. 🙂