Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today is International Seal Day. These marine mammals, called pinnipeds, range from the 99-pound Galapagos fur seal, to the 8,500-pound Southern elephant seal. They can grow 16 feet long! Seals can sleep underwater, and hold their breath for up to 2 hours, but they also love basking in the sun on rocks or piers.

Today is World Water Day, organized by the United Nations. This year’s theme is, “Water and Gender; Where water flows, equality grows.” Hundreds of millions of people around the world, don’t have access to clean water, and it affects women even more. Freshwater sources can easily get polluted, in any community.

Your parents or grandparents might look old to you, but they probably picture themselves as much younger. Today is As Young As You Feel Day, so invite your ancient relatives, to act like kids again. Play some soccer, go to the playground and swing, or have a dance party. They’ll be all smiles!

Today is West Virginia Day. When Virginia seceded from the Union during the time of the Civil War, the western part refused to join the Confederates, and formed the 35th state of West Virginia instead. Okay, you learned something. Now you’re excused, to enjoy Goof Off Day. Have fun!

Today is the International Day of Forests. Find a secluded spot in the woods, then lie on your back and look up at the trees. Listen to the birds, and smell the aroma of the leaves, because it’s Fragrance Day. It’s also Memory Day, so don’t forget your way back out of the forest!

That’s fantastic bread.

It’s crispy on the outside!

Thank you very much.

Today is World Poetry Day, so I wrote a haiku poem. It has 3 lines, containing 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables. It’s also French Bread Day, and Common Courtesy Day. Use your manners, when you eat all the delicious bread!

3. 2. 1. It’s Countdown Day! You can count down the days to almost anything, like the years until your 100th birthday, the days until summer vacation, or the minutes until dinner. How long until you can celebrate Teenager Day, or until you’re old enough to get tattooed, for World Tattoo Day? Start counting!

Today is World Puppetry Day. Sesame Street has some of the most famous puppets, like Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie. Some puppets, called marionettes, are controlled by strings, like Pinocchio. People have been telling stories with puppets, for 4000 years! Use an old sock, to make your own puppet and have a show.

Yesterday marked the start of Eid al-Fitr, and the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. After a month of eating only after dark, millions of Muslims around the world began a 3-day celebration, filled with prayer, visiting relatives, giving gifts to children, and eating lots of sweet foods. Eid Mubarak!

What do frogs and sparrows have in common? They both have today, to celebrate! It’s World Sparrow Day, so try to spot the little brown birds in your yard. They’d love some birdseed! World Frog Day is a good time to visit a pond. Can you find any frog eggs or tadpoles?