Author: Lisa Mungovan

Lord Howe stick insects, also known as tree lobsters, were once believed to be extinct. 80 years later, in 2001, they were rediscovered. In recent years, a single wild population was discovered on a volcanic outcrop called Ball’s Pyramid, in Australia. 4 were removed and bred in captivity, producing thousands for future repopulation.

Every day, there are plant and animal species that go extinct forever. But sometimes, new species are also discovered. In 2025, hundreds of new plants and animals were recorded. Some discoveries were 3 species of toads that give live birth, a smiling bumpy snailfish, an aquamarine poison dart frog, and a caterpillar orchid.

In 1793, the first balloon flight in North America took place, when French inventor Jean Paul Blanchard, demonstrated his hydrogen gas-filled balloon. He rode 1200 feet up into the air, astounding a crowd in Pennsylvania, that included President George Washington! Balloon Ascension Day commemorates that event. Don’t release balloons to celebrate though. That’s littering!

Are you shocked to hear it’s Static Electricity Day? Static electricity is produced when the positive and negative charges of an atom become unbalanced. See static in action by rubbing a balloon against your head. It will stick! Shuffle around the carpet with rubber-soled shoes and try to zap someone. Yee-ouch!

As winter continues to bring snow, the snowplows are staying busy. Some cities have given their plows whimsical names. In Wichita Kansas, you can track the plows in real time, to see who’s coming to clear your street. Will it be Plowy McPlowface, Lil Snow Peep, Plowthagorean Theorem, or Snow Place Like Home?

Did you know, it’s World Typing Day? Typing on a computer, where you can delete mistakes, or move paragraphs around, is so easy. But try typing on a real typewriter today, so you can enjoy rolling the paper in, listening to the clacks and dings, and watching keys strike the paper. It’s so satisfying!

Today is Earth’s Rotation Day. The Earth spins on its axis, like a globe. It takes 24 hours, or 1 day, to make 1 rotation, but the rotation speed can change slightly. In 1851, Leon Foucault demonstrated how the Earth rotates, by hanging a heavy ball, and watching its path change. Watching a Foucault Pendulum swing, is fascinating!

Make time today for a nice long bubble bath. While you’re soaking, think of something neat to show off, and eat crispy English toffee! Apply soothing lotion, before getting dressed in diamond-patterned argyle socks. It’s Bubble Bath, Show-and-Tell At Work, English Toffee, Winter Skin Relief, and Argyle Day! Can you remember all that?

In 1981, Joan White decided to spread joy every January 8th. She thought happiness could be infectious, so she called it National Joygerm Day. Do something nice for someone, or write an e-mail or letter. Tell them you are spreading germs of joy and ask them to help you infect the world!

Have you ever tried charcoal underwear? Carbon is a natural odor neutralizer, so companies are creating underwear that uses charcoal to trap smells. Thank goodness, because today is Pass Gas Day. Fart all you want, and remember these wise words. Whoever smelt it dealt it, and whoever denied it supplied it!