April 2, 2016 – NATIONAL FERRET DAY – NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY – NATIONAL RECONCILIATION DAY – NATIONAL LOVE OUR CHILDREN DAY

                               NATIONAL FERRET DAY

On April 2nd, Hob and Jill went up the hill with their little Kits to celebrate National Ferret Day because that’s some serious business.  Male ferrets are called Hobs and female ferrets are called Jills.  Their offspring are called Kits. The whole family is called a Business. A part of the mustelid family, ferrets are carnivores and are joined by the otter, badger, weasel, marten, mink and wolverine.

They are quite crafty hunters and have been domesticated for over 2,000 years for just that purpose.  Used to “ferret” out and kill mostly vermin that would otherwise grow out of control, ferrets were a useful tool. Their razor sharp teeth are definitely those of a carnivore.

These wildly, curious creatures have been recently domesticated as pets in the last few decades.  While their skill in the wild may have been considered masterful, as a pet they can be a mischievous handful if not properly trained.  Highly intelligent, they can be trained to do an assortment of tricks and to use a litter box.  A social animal, they do require attention and preferably a ferret companion.

Like other mustelids, ferrets have scent glands that produce a musky, often offensive odor.

HOW TO OBSERVE
Learn more about ferrets.  Use #NationalFerretDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
While our research was unable to identify the origin and creator of National Ferret Day, the American Ferret Association sponsored efforts to make the day official in 2014.  For more information visit www.ferret.org.
 

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY

National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is celebrated annually on April 2nd.  This food holiday is a classic favorite of many.  The average American will have eaten over 2000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time they graduate from high school.
Peanut butter was considered a delicacy in the early 1900s and was only served in New York City’s finest tea rooms.  In a May 1896 article published in the Good Housekeeping magazine, a recipe “urged homemakers to use a meat grinder to make peanut butter and spread the result on bread”.  That same year, in June, the culinary magazine Table Talk, published a “peanut butter sandwich recipe”.
It is thought to be that the first reference of peanut butter paired with jelly on bread, to be published in the United States, was by Julia Davis Chandler in 1901.  In the late 1920s the price of peanut butter declined and the sandwich became very popular with children.
According to the Peanut Board, during World War II, both peanut butter and jelly were part of the United States soldiers military ration list.
In 1998, The J.M. Smucker Co. introduced Goober, a jarred product which combined alternating vertical stripes of peanut butter and jelly.
For more information, visit the National Day Calendar page for National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day.
 

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION DAY

National Reconciliation Day is celebrated on April 2 of each year.  There are many different “Days of Reconciliation” held around the world that are celebrated on different days.
HOW TO OBSERVE
This is a day intended to patch up relationships.  Misunderstandings, unintended words or actions and simply an unforgiven mistake can tear apart relationships.  National Reconciliation Day is the time to take that step and make amends.  It’s not too late.  Reach out to that friend or loved one and make a fresh start.  Use #ReconciliationDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
Our research has found several references to Reconciliation Day throughout the year.  However, credit is given to newspaper columnist Ann Landers, who in 1989, in response to one of her reader’s letters, began annually promoting April 2nd as Reconciliation Day.  She encouraged her readers to repair their broken relationships and dedicated each April 2nd column to letters concerning just such relationships.
 

NATIONAL LOVE OUR CHILDREN DAY

National Love Our Children Day is observed annually on the first Saturday in April as part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This day honors all children and encourages us to develop loving, respectful relationships with our children.
Love Our Children USA sponsors and promotes this day annually.  This day focuses on prevention of child abuse and violence against children as well bringing awareness and helping put in place support tools and resources for communities.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Take time to make the life of a child better.  Educate yourself on the prevention of child abuse.  Use #NationalLoveOurChildrenDay to share on social media.
HISTORY
The first annual National Love Our Children Day was held on April 3, 2004, by Love Our Children USA.  For more information visit www.loveourchildrenusa.org.