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Happy Labor Day!

  Labor Day was celebrated for the first time in New York City in 1882.  It was originally celebrated on September 5th, but was moved to the first Monday in September in 1884. Labor Day started out as a state holiday, getting voted in by individual states. As the day gained popularity, Congress declared Labor …

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August Bank Holiday

This year we’re in Scotland on August 28, so we are affected by the August Bank Holiday. The August Bank Holiday was instituted by the Bank Holidays Act of 1871 to give bankers a day off so they could participate in cricket matches. Since then, however, its significance has greatly expanded beyond those narrow limits. Now, …

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ICYMI

Today’s the day!   Here in Fairfax, the Eclipse will be about 81 percent of the sun covered. The City of Fairfax will have a viewing party at Old Town Hall (3999 University Drive Fairfax). The event runs from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. featuring family-friendly activities like stories, crafts, music, and more while the eclipse becomes visible. You …

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World Photo Day is Today!

  Today is another of those “Who Knew” holidays. I was recently talking to someone about our upcoming trip to Scotland and she reminded me to take lots of pictures.  Then, she said to be sure to print them out so she could see them. Um, no way!  I haven’t printed out pictures since probably …

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It’s National Ice Cream Day. YUM!

  National Ice Cream Day is observed each year on the 3rd Sunday in July and is a part of National Ice Cream Month.  This day is a fun celebration enjoyed with a bowl, cup or cone filled with your favorite flavor of ice cream. Thousands of years ago, people in the Persian Empire would …

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Palindrome Week Returns!

  The above image is from last year, but you get the idea. You should feel very balanced this week. Why? Because it’s palindrome week!  July 10 – July 19, 2017 are all Palindrome Days (m/dd/yy). A palindrome exists when letters, numbers, or phrases are the same forward and backward. For example, the words “racecar” …

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Happy Fourth of July!

    Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. Independence Day fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs such as the national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “God Bless …

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Yea! It’s Father’s Day again!

  Father’s Day is observed annually on the third Sunday in June.  This day is set aside to honor and celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June, though it is also celebrated widely on other days by many other countries. After …

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Quack Quack – It’s Donald Duck Day again!

  National Donald Duck Day is observed annually on June 9th.  This day commemorates the birthday of the funny animal cartoon character, Donald Duck. Donald made his first screen debut on June 9, 1934, in The Wise Little Hen.   Donald Duck usually wears a sailor suit with a cap and a black or red bow tie and …

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The Wartime Spies Who Used Knitting as an Espionage Tool – Atlas Obscura

DURING WORLD WAR I, A grandmother in Belgium knitted at her window, watching the passing trains. As one train chugged by, she made a bumpy stitch in the fabric with her two needles. Another passed, and she dropped a stitch from the fabric, making an intentional hole. Later, she would risk her life by handing …

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