Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today is Dewey Decimal System Day. When you go to the library to look for a book, you’re probably using Melvil Dewey’s classification system, which he invented in 1876. You’ll see the number on the spine of the book, which lets librarians know exactly where to file it!

Today is Human Rights Day. 77 years ago, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It said every human being, has the right to equality, life, liberty, personal security, education, information, religious freedom, get married, own property, and be innocent until proven guilty. They also deserve freedom from slavery, torture, and discrimination.

Did you know that 12,000 years ago, dogs were hanging out with people? Researchers found salmon proteins in the bones of Ice Age canines. Since canines would not have been hunting fish in the wild, that indicates humans were sharing their meals with the dogs. Dogs and humans are old friends.

Today is Llama Day. The furry mammal is a camelid, related to alpacas. They are native to South America, and were domesticated as pack animals, 5000 years ago. Babies are called crias. Llama day celebrations in Canada, include dressing like llamas, sending llama-tines, carving llama- shaped butter statues, and going door-to-door for llama-shaped treats.

Have you ever heard of Emmett Kelly? Born in 1898, he was one of the first sad-faced clowns, named Weary Willie. Celebrate Weary Willie Day, by painting your face like a clown, superhero, or animal. It’s also the International Day of Veterinary Medicine. A gigantic thank you, to the vets who care for our pets!

It’s World Techno Day! Techno is electronic dance music with a strong beat. Get some glow sticks and party lights, turn up the music, and have a techno dance party! It’s also Pastry Day, so eat some cakes and pies. After all, you need to keep up your energy, to continue dancing all day!

Some Christmas trees have soft needles, and some are prickly. But a Christmas tree in England, is in a category all of its own. The holiday decoration is made out of 100,000 balloons! The 25-foot-tall Balloon Christmas Tree, on display in Birmingham England, sits inside a transparent dome to protect it from popping.

Garden sheds aren’t normally known for their speed. But Brian Cade added wheels and an engine to his storage structure, and set a new record for the world’s fastest garden shed. Ed the Shed reached a top speed of123.43 miles-per-hour. Brian wore a furry pig-head helmet while driving, to ensure his safety.

Sometimes the best way to feel better, is to get outdoors in nature. Doctors in Canada prescribe National Parks, to improve their patients’ mental and physical health. A nature prescription includes a park pass, good for free entrance to 80 Canadian parks. No prescription? No problem. Just relax under a tree.

Toaday is Christmas Tree Day. Do you cut your tree at a farm, or use an artificial tree? Maybe you should rent one. London Christmas Tree Rental, delivers a potted tree, to your house. At the end of the season, they return it to the farm. You can rent the same tree every year!