Author: Lisa Mungovan

There are 12 inches in a foot, 3 feet in a yard, and 1760 yards in a mile. Also, there are 10 millimeters in a centimeter, 100 centimeters in a meter, and 1000 meters in a kilometer. The second group is the metric system, which certainly seems easier to remember. Happy Metric Day!

Raking the leaves into a big pile and jumping into it, is loads of fun. But be sure to leave some patches of leaves for the bugs, too. Many insects like moths, butterflies, and fireflies, overwinter in leaves. Dead leaves also make good mulch for the lawn, so leave them alone. Enjoy the mess!

Today is World Sight Day. You should visit the eye doctor once a year. Seeing clearly is the best, and you might need glasses to see better. If you’re near-sighted, you might not be able to read words on the board at school. Do you have trouble reading up close? You could be farsighted.

Today is Sneakers Day. The first rubber-soled shoes were introduced in the US, 130 years ago. Rubber soles are quieter than leather or wooden soles, so you can sneak up on people. It’s also Nautilus Night. The ocean-dwelling cephalopod has a spiraling shell, 90 tentacles, and swims using jet propulsion!

Did you know it’s Curious Events Day? Celebrate all the strange things in the world, like how it’s impossible to sneeze with your eyes open, or historical events, like when meat fell from the sky in Kentucky. It’s also World Post Day, so send someone a postcard or letter. Don’t forget an interesting stamp!

Today is Fire Prevention Day. This year’s theme is, “Charge into Fire Safety, Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” The batteries used in phones and laptops should never be used under pillows . It’s also Moldy Cheese Day. Not all mold is bad. Varieties of cheese like Gorgonzola and Camembert, are encouraged to grow delicious mold.

Today is International Top Spinning Day. How long can your top spin? The world record for a non-mechanical top, is 51 minutes. Mechanical tops, which have an electric gyroscope inside, can spin even longer. The record-breaking mechanical top spin, lasted more than 41 hours! The largest spinning top, is 6 1/2 feet tall.

Today is World Octopus Day! Octopuses have 3 hearts, and 8 arms, not tentacles. Tentacles only have suckers at the tips. Octopuses are extremely intelligent, masters of camouflage, and escape artists! Today is also Touch Tag Day. An octopus would be great at water tag! My favorite version is freeze tag. Tag, you’re it!

Today is Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work & School Day! Maybe your teddy will learn something new, and he’ll for sure make everyone smile! On your lunch break, be sure to eat with your parents, for Take Your Parents To Lunch Day. Your teddy bears can bring their parents too. Time for a picnic!

Have you ever had a peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff sandwich? It’s called a Fluffernutter, and today is Fluffernutter Day! Have one for lunch, but celebrate Pierogie Day for dinner. The delicious dumplings are pockets of dough, often filled with mashed potatoes and cheese, or cabbage, but usually not Fluffernut.