Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today is Penguin Awareness Day. Emperor penguins can grow to nearly 4 feet tall, while little blue penguins only reach 16 inches. Some people knit sweaters for penguins, to protect them from oil spills. There are no penguins at the North Pole. Except for the Galapagos penguin, they all live in the Southern Hemisphere!

Get your appetites ready, for Cheese Lover’s Day! Cheese is made from milk, and has been around since at least 5500 BCE. It comes in over 1400 varieties, so whether you like mozzarella on your pizza, bleu cheese on your salad, parmesan on your pasta, or American on your grilled cheese, cheese is really gouda!

It might be cold or rainy, but that’s no reason to stay inside. Dress for the weather, and get outside. It’s Take A Walk Outdoors Day. Do you hear different birds in the winter? Do cars sound different driving on wet roads? Can you hear snowplows? Can you smell snow? Go out and explore!

Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day. Dr King was a minister, activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He used non-violent civil disobedience, marches and sit-ins to try to create racial equality in the United States. He was assassinated in 1968, but still inspires us to fight racism.

Last year, Jonathan Keats, installed a Millennium Camera in Tucson Arizona, that will spend 1,000 years, capturing one image. Photographers often use long exposures to show the trail of stars through the sky, but this will show the rise and fall of the cityscape, from now until 3024. The picture is .001% complete.

Will you have snow today, for World Snow Day? Study a snowflake closely. Build a snowman, or have a snowball fight. Fresh snow is the best for making snow angels, but be sure to catch a snowflake on your tongue, as it’s coming down! Mix maple syrup into clean snow for a tasty treat.

Today is Brew A Potion Day. Concoct a magic potion, then see if it works! I’m making my potion from root beer and ice cream, and hope it transforms into a root beer float. It’s also Good Memory Day, so try to remember what went into your brew, so you can replicate the results.

Today is Tin Can Day. Peter Durand patented the perfect way to store food for years, in 1810. Ask your grandparents, how to play Kick the Can. It’s also World Quark Day, but it’s not about sub-atomic particles. Quark is a superfood similar to yogurt or sour cream. It’s a high-protein, low-fat creamy cheese.

Pop. Pop. Pop, pop, pop-pop-pop-pop! It’s Popcorn Day! In the 16th century, popcorn was used to decorate Aztec headdresses in Mexico. It became a popular food in the United States in the 19th century. Charles Cretors developed a steam popper, and sold popcorn on horse-drawn wagons. You can even pop corn on the cob!

Slicing a watermelon open with a knife is so boring. Instead, use your legs! Gozde Dogan set a world record, for smashing the most watermelons using her thighs, in 60 seconds. She crushed 5 melons in an impressive display of strength. It’s a bit messier, but definitely more exciting!