January 9, 2016 – NATIONAL VISION BOARD DAY – NATIONAL APRICOT DAY – NATIONAL STATIC ELECTRICITY DAY

                                   NATIONAL VISION BOARD DAY

National Vision Board Day is observed annually on the second Saturday in January.
Vision board parties began in 2010 between a group of friends as a way for people to get together in a fun environment to set goals, cast vision and dream out loud in a tangible way by creating vision boards they then mount on their walls. Seeing their hopes and dreams helps set in motion for these visions to become a reality. Many actors, musicians, fashion and entertainment-based people have been participating in this since it’s inception. Vision boards help people remember their goals and visions on a daily basis.
OBSERVE
Host a vision party for your friends, family or co-workers. Set goals for the coming year and put them where you can see them. Post photos on social media using #VisionBoardDay
HISTORY
National Vision Board Day was submitted by Kellan Lutz and Ryan Daly in June of 2015. It was proclaimed by the Registrar of National Day Calendar in July, 2015.
 

National Apricot Day – January 9

NATIONAL APRICOT DAY

Apricot lovers from all over the United States observe National Apricot Day every year on January 9th.
The apricot’s velvety flesh is similar to that of their relative the peach.  The texture and flavor of the golden-orange fruit is more firm and tart, though.  This versatile fruit is enjoyed fresh, canned and dried.
Apricots are found the world over, but originated in northeastern China near the Russian border in ancient times and was later introduced to Europe and Armenia. The apricot found its way to North American when English colonists settled in Virginia. The fruit was brought further west by Spanish explorers and missionaries where the fruit is grown commercially today.
The apricot tree can grow to 45 feet if left unpruned. It produces white, pink or red blossoms and is a winter hardy tree, however early frosts can damage the fruit.
Fresh apricots are packed with nutrients. A 1 cup serving apricot halves contains 60% of the daily allowance of Vitamin A and 26% of the daily allownace for Vitamin C. Other vitamins in this low calorie snack include Vitamin B-6, Magnesium, Iron and Calcium and is also a good source of fiber.
With its unique flavor, the apricot is a versatile ingredient lending itself to both sweet and savory dishes. Perfect for snacking, apricots are best fresh off the tree but are also found in markets the year round.  Dried, they are delicious in healthful granola or a salad.
 
For more information on this day please visit the National Day Calendar page for National Apricot Day.
 

National Static Electricity Day – January 9

NATIONAL STATIC ELECTRICITY DAY

It may be a little shocking, but National Static Electricity Day is January 9.
Static electricity is different from the electrical current carried by wires through a building or transmitted by the electric companies. Static electricity is produced when the positive and negative charges of an atom are out of balance.
The atoms of some materials hold their electrons tightly. These materials, such as plastic, cloth or glass, are insulators. The electrons of these materials do not move very freely.
The electrons of other materials, such metal, move more freely and are called conductors.

When two insulators are rubbed together, electrons are transferred causing a positive and negative charges. Opposites do attract. Atoms with a positive charge become attracted to atoms with a negative charge. This is evident when a balloon that has been rubbed against ones head and the hair clings to the balloon.
Remove the balloon and the hair may stand on end. In this circumstance, the hair has the same charge (either positive or negative). Items with the same charge repel each other.
At some point these charges need to be put back in balance, and the static electricity is discharged. This occurs when an insulator comes in contact with a conductor, such as piece of metal.
How to Avoid the Shock of Static Electricity

• The drier air of winter months is a better insulator than the more humid air of summer.  To help prevent static electricity, use a humidifier to put moister back into the air in your home during the winter months.
• Our skin is drier in the winter months, too.  Putting on moisturizer before getting dressed is recommended.
• Synthetic fabrics are better insulators.  Wearing fabrics made from natural fibers such as cotton will help reduce the amount of static electricity that’s stirred up.
• While walking around the house, at work or shopping, holding a key or a metal pen in your hand will help discharge the the build up of static electricity painlessly.
• Switching to leather soled shoes versus rubber soled shoes will help reduce the amount of static that is built up.

OBSERVE
Use #StaticElectricityDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
Within our research, we were unable to identify the creator of National Static Electricity Day.