February 1, 2016 – NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY – NATIONAL SERPENT DAY – NATIONAL BAKED ALASKA DAY

                                         NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY

National Freedom Day, always observed on February 1st, celebrates freedom from slavery.  It also recognizes that America is a symbol for freedom.  It honors the signing by Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution   President Lincoln signed the Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865.  It was not ratified by the states however, until later on December 18, 1865.
HOW TO OBSERVE
On this day many towns have festivals and celebrations.  Others  reflect on the freedoms that the United States honors as well as reflect on and appreciate the goodwill of the United States.  For many years, wreath laying at the Liberty Bell has also been a tradition to mark National Freedom Day.  LET FREEDOM RING. Use #NationalFreedomDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
A former slave by the name of Major Richard Robert Wright, Sr. created National Freedom Day.  Major Wright was looked upon as a great leader in the community.  It was believed by Major Wright, that this day needed to be celebrated.
Because of Abraham Lincoln’s signing the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865, February 1st was chosen as the day for National Freedom Day.  On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming February 1st as the first official National Freedom Day in the United States.
 

National Serpent Day – February 1

NATIONAL SERPENT DAY

Across religions and cultures, the serpent has been used as a symbol of evil, medicine, fertility and much more. Also a synonym for snake, February 1st observes National Serpent Day.
Around the world there are over 3,000 species of snakes. The world’s smallest snake is the Barbados threadsnake. This serpent is smaller than a night crawler at about 4 inches.
In comparison, the longest snake is the reticulated python and the heaviest is the green anaconda.
SNAKE FACTS

• Only 1/8 of the known species are venomous.
• Their upper and lower jaw separate to allow snakes to consume prey up to three times larger than the diameter of their head.
• Snakes eat their prey whole

For more information please visit the National Day Calendar page for National Serpent Day.

National Baked Alaska Day – February 1

NATIONAL BAKED ALASKA DAY

National Baked Alaska Day is celebrated annually on February 1st.
An elaborate dessert also known as “Omelette Norvegienne,” Baked Alaska is made with hard ice cream on base of sponge cake and covered in a shell of toasted meringue.
In the United States 1867 there was earnest debate over the potential purchase  of Alaska from Russia. Secretary of State William Seward agreed to a purchase price of $7 million and Alaska became a United States territory in 1868. Those who were of the opinion the purchase was a giant mistake referred to the purchase as “Seward’s Folly”.
Enter Charles Ranhofer, the chef at Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York City, notorious for naming new and renaming old dishes after famous people and events. Capitalizing on the heated controversy surrounding the purchase in the frozen north, Baked Alaska fit the bill. It was cold, nearly frozen and quickly toasted in a hot oven prior to serving.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Order up some Baked Alaska or try your hand at this recipe: Baked Alaska recipe.