Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today is Cinco de Mayo, which is Spanish for the Fifth of May. The day commemorates a victory in 1861: when 2000 Mexican soldiers fought off 6000 French soldiers in the Battle of Puebla, during the Franco-Mexican War. Mexican-Americans started the holiday as a celebration of their Mexican heritage including music, food, and dancing.

Today is Great Lakes Awareness Day. Together, Lakes Michigan, Erie, Superior, Huron, and Ontario make up the largest body of freshwater on Earth. That makes them pretty great! The 5 lakes are located on the border of the United States and Mexico, and are connected by a series of rivers and smaller lakes.

Every year, wildfires focus attention on firefighters everywhere. But they’re also working every day, putting out house fires and blocking off traffic accidents. They’re investigating smoke alarms, teaching fire safety to students, and rescuing animals trapped in unusual situations. Today, on International Firefighters’ Day, let’s give a huge thank you to the world’s firefighters!

Today is Orange Juice Day. Make it special, by squeezing your own juice from fresh oranges. If you don’t like pulpy OJ, be sure to strain it. Cut the peels into strips, because it’s also Candied Orange Peel Day. They turn into delicious candy, when simmered in a sugar syrup.

May the Fourth be with you. I mean the Force! May the 4th is Star Wars Day, so get your light sabers out, and watch your favorite Star Wars movie. If you want to have a marathon and watch every single one, it’ll take over 25 hours. You’d better already be watching!

San Francisco California, has welcomed an unusual visitor over the last few weeks. A massive Steller sea lion, nicknamed Chonkers, was spotted relaxing on the pier, surrounded by much smaller California sea lions. Steller sea lions can weigh 2,500 pounds and reach 11 feet long. Human visitors are flocking to watch him lounging.

Today is Sunday, but it’s also Sun Day. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter designated May 3rd as a day to promote solar power. The Sun generates massive amounts of energy, but we need more innovative ways to harness it. Solar panels can power houses, cars, or even entire cities.

Some people say, laughter is the best medicine. It’s definitely a stress reliever, and it makes you feel better. Since today is World Laughter Day, tell a few jokes. Would you like to hear 2 short jokes and a long joke?

Joke! Joke! Jo-oh-oh-oke! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Lemonade Day, calls for an extraordinary glass of lemonade. If you really want to impress people, make it change color! An ingredient called butterfly pea flower, can make your lemonade turn purple, pink, or indigo. First make a tea with the flowers, then pour it into your lemonade, for a colorful show!

Today’s going to be fun! It’s Two Different Colored Shoes Day! Walk proudly in your mismatched shoes. No need to be normal. Besides, it’s Paranormal Day! Celebrate the strange things that can’t be explained by science, by watching Ghostbusters or Harry Potter. Then relax in the garden, because it’s Garden Meditation Day. Chill out!