Author: Lisa Mungovan

The town of Rabbit Hash Kentucky, thinks dogs rule. Since 1998, they’ve elected a dog for mayor of their city! This year, a French bulldog named Wilbur got 13,143 votes. The current mayor, is a pit bull named Brynneth Pawltro. The runners-up, a beagle named Jack Rabbit and Poppy the golden retriever, will be Ambassadors.

Today, like the first Saturday of every month, is Play Outside Day. Put down the phones and video games, and get some fresh air! Rake a giant pile of leaves, and jump into it! Maybe you already have snow, and can build a snow fort. Whatever the weather, have some outdoor fun.

Have you ever heard of a numbat? It’s also known as a banded anteater, although it only eats termites. One numbat can eat up to 20,000 per day! The small marsupial is native to Western Australia, and is an endangered species. It’s World Numbat Day, so look up a photo of these cute little guys!

Today is National Bison Day. The American bison is the USA’s national mammal, and the largest land mammal in North America. Although people also call them buffalo, the scientific name is Bison bison. Buffalo species, like the cape buffalo and water buffalo, are beardless, and don’t have the giant shoulder hump.

Gather all your teddy bears, and start hugging. It’s Hug A Bear Day! Although wild bears look cute and fuzzy also, it’s best to leave them alone! It’s also Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day. It’s not the most common candy bar, so today would be a good day to make your own delicious treat!

The Orange County Fair in California, was canceled this year due to COVID-19. The fairgrounds were getting overgrown with weeds, so the county brought in a special landscaping crew. It’s a herd of goats! 18 Angora goats, and their miniature donkey guardian, will eat the weeds until December, while fertilizing the grounds with their poop.

Starting next week, on Veterans Day, US military veterans can visit any National Park for free, forever. Gold Star families will also receive free entry. There are over 2000 parks to explore, both natural and historical. With some entrance fees running up to $35, it’s a nice gift to give to veterans who served their country.

The US presidential election is still undecided, as mailed ballots are carefully counted. The good news is, more people have voted in this election, than any other US election in history! Joe Biden has over 73,000,000 votes so far, the most votes ever cast for a single candidate. Donald Trump has over 69,000,000 votes.

If you were lost without your phone, what would you do? Learn some survival skills, like navigating by the stars, or making your own compass, for Marooned Without A Compass Day! Today is also Fountain Pen Day. An old-fashioned fountain pen, with a refillable ink reservoir, makes your writing look elegant.

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 bag of tortilla chips. Melt some cheese on top, and add jalapenos, salsa, or whatever else you’d like!