Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today is Turkey Lovers’ Day. Wild turkeys and oscillated turkeys are found in North America, but they probably got their name when European settlers confused them with guineafowl from Turkey. Wild turkeys love to eat nuts and berries, as well as grain and insects. Males have fleshy wattles, called snoods, and beautiful feathers.

Today is World Giraffe Day. Did you know the animal with the longest neck, still has the same number of neck bones as you? Giraffes can grow up to 20 feet tall, and have 18-inch tongues. Giraffes only need 5 to 30 minutes of sleep each day, and babies can stand up an hour after they’re born.

How will you celebrate Daylight Appreciation Day? Take advantage of the sunlight! Stretch in a sunlit meadow, for Yoga Day, or participate in Go Skateboarding Day, by going to a skate park. It’s also the Day of the Gong, so go bang a gong, while playing a harmonica, for World Music Day!

Happy Father’s Day! Don’t forget to say thanks to your dad, and all the men in your life that help raise you. Maybe you can take him to the beach, to celebrate Seashell Day. You can find the most shells around low tide, especially after a storm. Leave the ones that are still alive!

In the Northern Hemisphere, today is the longest day of the year, known as the summer solstice. At the North Pole, the sun will be shining for 24 hours! In Earth’s Southern Hemisphere, however, today is the winter solstice, with the fewest daylight hours. The South Pole won’t see the sun at all!

Today is Ugliest Dog Day, but the World’s Ugliest Dog contest won’t take place until August 14th this year, in California. Last year’s winner was Petunia, a hairless Frenchie-English Bulldog mix, rescued from a backyard breeder. You can find the application online, to enter your own lovably ugly dog.

For American Eagle Day, let’s learn about the bald eagle. The North American birds get their distinctive white-feathered heads around age 5. They pair up for life, and work on the same nest every year. The largest nest was 20 feet deep and nearly 10 feet wide, leaving room for their massive 7-foot wingspan!

You’ve been sitting in the dark too long. Back away from the computer and video games, and go for a walk outside. It’s Hike With A Geek Day! Afterwards, have a nice cold milkshake, or maybe a chocolate soda, since it’s Vanilla Milkshake Day, and Ice Cream Soda Day!

Selfies, when you take a photo of yourself, can be dangerous. Every year, people die in bizarre ways, trying to get the perfect shot. Be careful today on Selfie Day! You’ll probably be safe with a food selfie, so celebrate Peaches ‘N’ Cream Day, with a perfect picture of fruit, cream, and you!

Today is World Refugee Day, organized by the United Nations. This year’s theme is, “Until Everyone Is Safe.” We celebrate the strength and courage, of those who have to flee their home country to escape violence or persecution. Everyone on the planet deserves respect, dignity, health care and a safe life.