Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today is Saxophone Day, in honor of the mellow brass woodwind instrument. Adolphe Sax developed the instrument in 1846. What would you name an instrument, if you invented one? It’s also Nachos Day, so start with a plate of tortilla chips. Melt some cheese on top, and add jalapenos, salsa, or whatever else you’d like!

Laurence Watkins wanted to break a world record, so he scoured the record book looking for possibilities. He settled on having the longest name, and legally added a bunch of middle names. His full name is now 2,253 words long. It took 20 minutes to say his name during his wedding ceremony!

A black bear in Colorado, got trapped in a vehicle outside someone’s home, probably looking for a midnight snack. The car didn’t contain any food, and the hangry bear couldn’t get back out. Deputies rigged up a way to open the door from a safe distance, allowing the bear to forage for food elsewhere.

Now that it’s getting colder, people are spending more time inside. Remember to stay healthy, by washing your hands often with soap, and using hand sanitizer. It can protect you from illnesses like COVID, colds and the flu. Wearing a mask when you’re sick, protects others. Most importantly, stay up-to-date on your vaccinations.

Researchers in Australia showed that solar farms, can create biodiversity. While agricultural fields discourage wild animals and native plants, solar fields allow them to thrive. Vegetation can grow underneath solar panels, providing shade and food for sheep, cows, and wildlife. The plants also cool the panels, helping them generate electricity more efficiently.

Do you have red hair? Show off its glorious color, because it’s Love Your Red Hair Day! Today is also Doughnut Day. Doughnuts are so good, there’s also a Donut Day in June. In 1847, 16 year-old Hanson Gregory claimed the invention of the first ring-shaped doughnut. Pardon me while I go eat doughnuts!

In the United States, Election Day is today. Ask your parents if you can watch them vote, so you’ll be familiar with the process when you turn 18. Look up a sample ballot for your neighborhood at Ballotpedia.org, and learn about the people running for every office. Sometimes candidates don’t even have opponents!

For thousands of years, humans have been eating candy. Whether it was sweetened with honey, maple syrup, or sugarcane, something sweet has always been a treat. Today is Candy Day, so sample chocolates, hard candies, mints, marzipan, maple sugar candies, gummy candies, taffies, and more. Which ones are your favorite?

A 9-year-old boy named Tutankhaten became pharaoh, about 3300 years ago in Egypt. He took the name Tutankhamun, and became one of the most famous Egyptians ever. Today is King Tut Day, when King Tut’s tomb was discovered in 1922. It’s also Use Your Common Sense Day. You should know better than to do that!

Once Halloween is over, what do you do with your jack-o’-lanterns?  Leave your pumpkin outside as a science project, to watch it slowly mildew and rot. Let squirrels or groundhogs snack on it. Donate old pumpkins to a farm, to feed their animals. You could even have a pumpkin-chucking contest, into a compost pile!