Author: Lisa Mungovan

Nick Manning organized an audience of 1,026 people, to set a new world record for the most people gathered in one place, while wearing underwear on their heads. Nick also holds records for putting on 10 pairs of underwear in 30 seconds, 23 pairs in 30 seconds, and 44 pairs in 1 minute.

Every 8-10 years, airlines are required to replace the life vests on their planes. The life jackets were never used, but they expire for safety reasons. United Airline’s Boeing 737 fleet alone, replaces 19,000 life vests-per-year. United teamed up with fashion company B2L, to upcycle the expired life jackets into backpacks and travel-themed bags.

Last Sunday, was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth. That record lasted a whole day. On Monday, the global average temperature, reached 62.87 degrees Fahrenheit, or 17.15 degrees Celsius. That might not sound that hot, but that’s the average including the Arctic and Antarctica, and half the world is in the middle of winter.

Plastic pollution in the ocean, harmful chemicals from sunblocks, or rising water temperatures of only 2-4 degrees Fahrenheit, can cause coral reefs to eventually die. 3D printers, could help repair damaged reefs. Researchers scan coral reefs, and print ceramic pieces, to restore the environment. Then new coral can grow on the man-made reef sections.

Are you ready to ride around in circles? It’s Carousel Day! Your merry-go-round might have horses, or it could have tigers and ostriches. Pick your favorite, listen to the calliope music, and wave to everyone! Afterwards, celebrate Hot Fudge Sundae Day. Ice cream tastes better topped with gooey chocolate, whipped cream, and a cherry!

NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity, has been exploring the Red Planet since 2012, but it’s still turning up surprises. Curiosity recently broke open a boulder, revealing yellow sulfur crystals. Scientists were surprised to see sulfur in that area, and there appears to be lots of it. Now they have to figure out why it’s there!

A family in Texas found an abandoned baby bird on the ground, during a party. Thinking quickly, they heated up a tortilla, to wrap around the bird and keep it warm. The Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is raising the Mississippi kite, and named it Taquito. I wonder if Taquito ate the blanket.

Today is Amelia Earhart Day. She was the first woman to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, in 1932. In 1937, she planned to fly around the world. She completed 22,000 miles, but disappeared without a trace somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. Amelia Earhart’s writings continue to inspire people today. “Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”

Today is Cousins Day. The kids of your mom and dad’s brothers and sisters, are your cousins, but you might also have step-cousins and half-cousins. You could have cousins once-removed, like your cousin’s kid, or second cousins, like your dad’s cousin’s kid. Confuse yourself, by figuring out who would be your 3rd cousin, twice-removed.

Knock knock. Who’s there? Boo. Boo who? Aw, don’t cry! It’s just Tell An Old Joke Day. Ask grown-ups to tell you their favorite old jokes, so they get passed on to the next generation. It’s also Drive-Thru Day. Be lazy and order dinner from the car! And tell the cashier an old joke!