Just My Type

Holidaze: Enough Days Of Observance To Make Your Head Spin

By Mary Ellen maryellen@ocalasgoodlife.com

New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day are the standard six national holidays in the US. And after observing them a little differently—or not at all in a year most of us want to forget because of COVID-19—we look forward to doing it all over again when our lives hopefully return to normal in 2021.

But did you also know that according to nationaldaycalendar.com—trust me, the authoritative source for unique national days—there are close to 1,500 national days, weeks, and months? That’s too many to fit in this column’s allotted space, so here are a few of the unusual national days in January and February you probably missed and a few more in March and April to prepare you for what lies ahead.

A day worthy of our remembrance and respect is Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18. It is also National Thesaurus Day. As a writer, I appreciate Mr. Roget’s work and am thankful to him for authoring the first modern thesaurus.

National Popcorn Day is January 19. Selfisolation has probably made us all binge watchers. Munching on popcorn safely on your sofa at home is a great way to enjoy a favorite movie or all nine seasons of “Suits.”

National Hugging Day is January 21. I point this out because of our recent inability to observe it properly by asking for or offering a hug because of COVID-19 social distancing.

National Kazoo Day is January 28. A simple instrument requiring little or no skill to play. But if you ever gave one to a child, you would learn to hate it in a hurry, and wish Alabama Vest and Thaddeus Von Clegg had invented ear plugs instead of the Kazoo.

Punxsutawney Phil would like to forget Groundhog Day on February 2. But did you know it is also National Heavenly Hash Day and Tater Tot Day?

Valentine’s Day and National Organ Donor Day are on February 14. Some might argue that they are one in the same. After all, you may not do it physically, but you do give your heart to someone on Valentine’s Day.

February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day, your chance to make a difference, however small, in someone’s life.

We live in the Horse Capital of the World, and National Horse Protection Day on March 1 calls attention to the plight of unwanted horses in America.

National Everything You Think is Wrong Day on March 15 should make the pessimist in your life happy—or not.

National American Diabetes Association Alert Day is March 24. I don’t know about you, but I think they could have picked a better day because it’s also National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day and National Cheesecake Day.

I think National Read A Road Map Day on April 5 is a bit outdated because Google maps and GPS systems have made road maps almost a thing of the past.

Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day is April 16. A year ago, I would have thought this a little odd, but since COVID-19 has many of us working from home, it’s how a lot of us dress—or don’t dress—for work and can observe it almost every day.

April 11 is 8-Track Tape Day. If you must ask what 8-track tapes are, then you’re also too young to celebrate National Barbie Day on March 9.

And for those who choose not to celebrate anything at all, January 16 is National Nothing Day.

Although we may not agree on which days to acknowledge or how to observe them, one thing is for sure. There’s something for everyone to have fun with and celebrate on our many unique national days.