Here's What's Happening ~ March 3rd

Bonza Bottler Day-
Bonza Bottler Day is celebrated each month on the day that is the same number as the month it is in, for example: Jan. 1, Feb. 2, Mar. 3, etc. It is a day meant to have a party just for the fun of it.

Bonza Bottler Day was created in 1985 by Elaine Fremont from Greenville, South Carolina. Ms. Fremont liked to party and have fun, but she noticed that the month of August contained no special holidays to celebrate, so she decided to create a day that would insure each month of the year had at least one reason to party.

Ms. Fremont held a contest to name the day. An Australian student, who delivered mail to her office each day, came up with the name Bonza (which is an Australian expression meaning: "super", "great", or "fantastic") Bottler (which is slang for "something excellent"). Ms. Fremont thought it was a perfect name for her special day.

But wait! That's not all. Along with Bonza Bottler Day, there are Bodacious Bonza Bottler Days. Bodacious Bonza Bottler Days are celebrated in months when the day, month, and year coincide, so for 2012, the Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day will be December 12th. If my brain is working the way it should, by my calculations, this will be the last BBBD for the next 88 years. So, you may want to plan ahead and have a wing dinger of a party on 12-12-12, maybe at 12:12 p.m.. You could call it your Bodacious Bonza Bottler Wing Dinger Ringer! :0)

Sadly, Elaine Fremont died in a car accident on April 8, 1995, just short of ten years after the first Bonza Bottler Day was held on August 8, 1985.

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Begins-
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is a race held annually in early March which runs 1,049 miles from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. The trail runs through several cities and towns, spruce forests and mountains, across rivers, and along the shore of the Bering Sea. Mushers and their teams of 12 to 16 sled dogs travel the distance in 9-15 days, often through blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, and gale force winds. The winner is the first team to cross the finish line and must have at least 6 dogs on the towline when crossing.

The race was started in 1973 and has become a highly competitive event. Most of the mushers and sled dog teams hale from Alaska, but competitors from fourteen different countries have participated over the years.

I Want You To Be Happy Day-
Celebrated every year on March 3rd, I Want You To Be Happy Day is a day for us to forget about our own wants and desires and focus on bringing happiness to others through kind words and deeds. Do something special for the special people in your life to show them how much you appreciate them, or for someone who is feeling down.

The origin and creator of I Want You To Be Happy Day are unknown.

National Anthem Day-
The Star-Spangled Banner is the National Anthem of the United States of America. It was written in 1814, during the War of 1812 (1812-1814), by lawyer and Georgetown, Washington, D.C. resident, Francis Scott Key. The song became a popular tune to be sung at various patriotic events, but was not officially designated by Congress as the National Anthem until March 3, 1931.

How The Song Came To Be
Less than three decades after the Revolutionary War, America was once again embroiled in conflict with the British. Feelings of resentment arose towards Great Britain because of their interference with American international trade. That, along with America's visions to expand, led Congress to declare war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812. A little more than a year after the war began, America suffered a tremendous blow, when on August 24, 1814, British forces stormed Washington, D.C., setting fire to many buildings, including The White House and The Capital Building.

Thinking he was a spy, British troops took Key's good friend, Dr. William Beanes, prisoner in the attack. The British then headed towards Maryland where they awaited in the Baltimore Harbor readying for an attack on Baltimore's Fort McHenry. With permission from President Madison, Keys, and a prisoner of war exchange agent, Colonel John Skinner, sailed along the Chesapeake Bay, under the flag of truce, to meet with the British and negotiate the release of Dr. Beanes.

The two men were successful in convincing the British that Beanes was not a spy. The British agreed upon his release, but since all three men knew of the plan to attack Ft. McHenry, the British decided to detain the three, in the ship, until the attack was over.

On the morning of September 13, 1814, the British bombarded Ft. McHenry in an attack that would last 25 hours. Throughout the battle, Keys kept his eye on the American storm flag which flew above the fort. As darkness fell, Keys listened and watched as rockets shot across the sky, wondering what the fate of the Fort would be. When morning broke, and the battle had silenced, Keys looked out to see the larger American flag (that American troops had raised in place of the storm flag) waving triumphantly above the Fort. The British had retreated, Fort McHenry had stood strong. Keys was so inspired by the sight of the American flag, that upon his release, he penned the words of The Star Spangled Banner, which was later set to the tune of a popular British song called "Anacreon in Heaven". The Star Spangled Banner became a symbol of American patriotism from that day forward.

National Cold Cuts Day-
Celebrated annually on March 3rd, today is a great day to make a yummy cold cut sandwich for lunch. Here is a video teaching us how to make the perfect cold cut sandwich. Just a word of warning, I did read recently that sprouts may not be so safe to eat, so proceed with caution there.

National Mulled Wine Day-
Celebrated every March 3rd. Mulled wine refers to any type of wine that has been heated and spiced.

Peach Blossom Day-
Peach Blossom Day is related to the Japanese culture. Springtime is approaching in Japan, a time when fruit trees are beginning to blossom. In Japan, the peach blossom signifies feminine traits such as: gentility, composure, and tranquility. It is a symbol of all that is feminine: beauty, delicacy, daintiness, and smelling sweet.

On March 3rd, a Doll Festival, or Peach Blossom Festival is held in Japan, it is also known as Girl's Day. Peach Blossom Day is a day to honor the beauty of the peach blossom, as well as the beauty of a delicate young lady. A day to enjoy being a girl. Even if you're not a "froo froo" kind of a girl, today, just enjoy being you.

What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs? Day-
Every March 3rd. This holiday was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays and Herbs. It begs the question, "How crazy would this world be if cats and dogs had opposable thumbs and could grab onto things the way, say, a monkey can?" They'd really have the rule of the roost then. They'd be writing out checks.. buying catnip by the truckload... having thumb wars... putting your hand in a bowl of warm water while you slept... it'd be frightening!