A Day Set Apart

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In North America, certain months are set apart as a time  dedicated to remembering and collecting monies for an important challenge; for example, October is "Breast Cancer Awareness" month. That is an honourable project which needs promotion. Then there are special days, secular or religious, which are celebrated: "Father's/Mother's Day", July 1st (Canada Day) or July 4th (Independence Day), and Hannukah, for example.

It can get out of hand. How many readers remember in less liberated times, "Sadie Hawkin's Day", when girls were allowed to ask a boy out (this was the 29th of February in a Leap year)? My friends and I in high school used to appear as invisible as possible that day. But how many of us realize that there is a Grandparents' day? Some days are just as obsure for us as the naming of towns and hamlets as "The World's ____________ Capital". You have probably driven through one of these places, so it's rather easy to fill in the blank.

But back to the topic--obscure names given to certain days in the calendar year to celebrate.  Our local community publication, "The Bulletin: East Gwillimbury's Community magazine" (Vol. 11 Issue 8) published a list of special days in October. This approaching weekend, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the 11th. But it's supposedly not the only day for celebration this month.

As of writing, we have missed: "World Vegetarian Day" (1st); "Name Your Car Day" (2nd) (Lemon?); "International Frugal Fun Day" (3rd) (for cheapskates?); "National Golf Day" (4th) (What golfer would forget this one?); "Do Something Nice Day" (5th); "Mad Hatter Day" (6th) (What's up with that one?); "World Smile Day" (7th) (Did you brush, floss and gargle?); And "American Touch Tag Day" (8th).

Tomorrow is "Fire Prevention Day" (9th) which I believe is recognized more than others in this list. It is followed by "National Angel Food Cake Day" (10th) (Now if that doesn't take the cake!); "Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day" (11th) (We just cannot have a "Take Your Child To Work Day"); "Old Farmer's Day" (12th); "International skeptics Day" (13th) (I really can't believe this one!); "National Dessert Day" (14th); and "White Cane Safety Day" (15th).

The latter half of the month consists of: "Bosses Day" (16th) (But don't we have a "Secretary Day"?); "Wear Something Gaudy Day" (17th); "No Beard Day" (18th) (Some spouses must look forward to this one!); "Evaluate Your Life Day" (19th); "Brandied Fruit Day" (20) (This has to have been created by the brandy manufacturers!); "National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day" (21st); "National Nut Day" (22nd) (How is "Nut" defined?); "National Mole Day" (23rd) (in reference to the skin marking or "the make as many holes in your lawn as I can Rodent"?); "United Nations Day" (24th); "World Pasta Day" (25th); and, not to be outdone by pasta, "National Mincemeat Day" (26th) (Note: see Oct. 20th); "Navy Day" (27th); "Plush Animal Lover's Day" (28th); "National Frankenstein Day" (29th); "National Candy Corn Day" (30th) (I must have had a poor childhood--what is candy corn?); and finally and appropriately, "Carve A Pumpkin Day" (30th).

I really would not want to see the named day celebrations calendar for the whole year! Who does this? Who organizes this? My conspiracy theory is that it is an evil capitalist consortium of Greeting Card publishers!