Every Day is a Celebration!

If you woke up this morning, then today is a reason to celebrate! You are alive, living and breathing, and that's a great reason to celebrate. Most of us are familiar with the traditional holidays that are celebrated, some in the United States (national holidays) and some worldwide (religious holidays). You may have a day off work, stores may be closed, and families may gather. But have you ever wondered about every other day that is celebrated throughout the year?  Why do we celebrate National Joe Day (3/27) or I AM IN CONTROL DAY (3/30) or International Talk Like a Pirate Day (9/19), and what do they mean?

The reason we have these three and so many other holidays is because today, March 26th, is "Make Up Your Own Holiday Day."  It's a day to throw away the rule book, get together with friends and celebrate anyone or anything that you would like. That is why we now celebrate the holidays mentioned.

• National Joe Day has been widely celebrated since the late 1800's due to the popularity of the name Joe.  It was a day to recognize all of the people named Joe, Josephine or Jodi. It also became a day where you could change your name for the day to Joe.

• I AM IN CONTROL DAY started  March 31, 1981, when Secretary of State Alexander Haig made the statement, "I am in control here," following the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, even though he would not be in control as the President and Vice President and Speaker of the House were all still living.

• International Talk Like a Pirate Day was born from an idea resulting from an injury incurred during a racquetball game between John Baur and Mark Summers of Albany, Oregon, When injured on June 6th, one of them reacted with an outburst of "Aaarrr!" and the idea was born.  Out of respect for D-Day, they chose Summer's ex-wife's birthday, September 19th, for the holiday.

So what would you celebrate today? Perhaps its guitars, bunny slippers or talking in a foreign accent? You can make a suggestion, start a movement and submit the idea to be passed for approval and added to the calendar as a National or International holiday in future years. For more information visit https://www.daysoftheyear.com/

No matter what you decide, remember that whatever you do, if you are reading this today, then you have a reason to celebrate life!