JUNE 4 NATIONAL SAFE DAY – NATIONAL PRAIRIE DAY – NATIONAL OLD MAID’S DAY – NATIONAL CHEESE DAY – NATIONAL COGNAC DAY – NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

                          

                                National SAFE Day – June 4

June 4th and National SAFE Day holds the power to prevent tragedy from repeating itself.  One in every three households in the United States has a gun stored somewhere inside.  The Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation is committed to ending senseless child deaths through education of responsible gun ownership, and empowering parents to ask about guns where their children visit.

How many close friends does a child have? One in three households has a firearm.  If one of those households has a gun, is it secure? What about family members? Do they visit cousins or other relatives that may have unsecured guns? Secure storage is vital to the safety of children and is the responsibility of the gun owner.
The life of one innocent child is not worth challenging the odds of possibility.  There are many ways to secure a firearm, that still allow for fast access, and there is no excuse to place easy access above child safety.
Parents, whether gun owners or not, need to take steps to educate children and to ask the question when in homes where their children visit– “Are there any unsecured firearms in the home?”
HOW TO OBSERVE
S- Secure all firearms in the home
A- Ask the question about unsecured firearms in the homes your child visits
F- Frequently talk to your children about the dangers of firearms
E- Educate and Empower others to be SAFE
For more information, visit the National Day Calendar page for National SAFE Day.

National Prairie Day – First Saturday in June

NATIONAL PRAIRIE DAY

In North America, the prairies are at the heart of the continent. On the first Saturday of June, we recognize one of the richest ecosystems on the face of the earth with National Prairie Day.
A wide swath of central North America is comprised of flat grassland running from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan down to Texas. Prairies are home to a wide variety of wildlife including prairie dogs, prairie chickens, buffalo, bison, elk, deer, rabbits, hawks, and foxes. Diverse native prairie plantings offer year-round food, shelter and nesting grounds for habitat.
What took thousands of years to form approximately 170 million acres has been reduced in the last 150 years to 1 percent of habitat.  Where once a vast and un-numbered variety of species thrived, the fertile soil now produces bumper crops of wheat, sorghum, flax, rye and oats.
The result is the loss of complex established ecosystems that once supported precious native birds, pollinators, insects and other native wildlife—habitat loss contributing to extinctions. What remains is teeming with diverse flora and fauna species, many endangered of becoming extinct, with some still yet to be discovered and identified. Original tracts of undisturbed prairie serve as living ecological and native American cultural research stations. These models of precious ecosystems with genetic resources continue to be studied, their ecological worth and economic benefits yet to be realized.
For more information, visit the National Day Calendar page for National Prairie Day.

National Old Maids Day June 4

NATIONAL OLD MAID’S DAY

Every year on June 4, it is National Old Maid’s Day.
Old Maid refers to an older, childless woman who has never been married. Another term frequently used is the word spinster.
While the term was once considered a degrading one, National Old Maid’s Day celebrates Old Maid’s everywhere and their contributions to their families and communities.  While they may be single, it does not mean they are solitary.  Today, Old Maids are often career oriented, postponing marriage and motherhood by choice or by circumstance. From a lively social life to a commitment to volunteerism as well as involvement in their church, community organizations and their extended family Old Maids are hardly wallflowers waiting to be asked to dance.
On National Old Maid’s Day, consider revising your definition of an Old Maid to one that describes an empowered, independent woman who embraces life.
HOW TO OBSERVE
To celebrate National Old Maid’s Day, get together with a group of your friends and play an Old Maids card game or bake a tasty Old Maid’s Vinegar Pie or this delicious Old Maid Cake. Use #OldMaidsDay to post on social media.
For more information, visit the National Day Calendar page for Old Maid’s Day.

National Cheese Day June 4

NATIONAL CHEESE DAY

National Cheese Day is observed annually on June 4th.
Cheese is produced from the pressed curds of milk. The milk can come from cows, buffalo, goats or sheep. Temperature and aging affect the flavor and texture of the cheese as well as spices and other seasonings added during the process.
Excellent as a snack on its own, cheese is also a perfect ingredient in pasta, soups, souffle and many other recipes.
HOW TO OBSERVE
There are many ways to celebrate National Cheese Day.  Add cheese to a sandwich, enjoy a pizza or try a new variety on crackers.  Make sure you post to social media using #NationalCheeseDay
HISTORY
Within our research, we could not determine the origins of National Cheese Day.

National Cognac Day June 4

NATIONAL COGNAC DAY

National Cognac Day is observed from coast to coast each year on June 4.
A well-known variety of brandy, Cognac was named after the town of Cognac in France.  It is produced in the wine-growing region which surrounds the town from which it takes its name.
Certain legal requirements must be met within the production for a distilled brandy to bear the name Cognac. The use of a particular variety of grape is one requirement along with the need to distill the brandy twice in copper pot stills.  The primary grape used is Ugni Blanc. The brandy must also be aged at least two years in French oak barrels from Limousin or Troncais. Most cognacs are aged much longer than the minimum legal requirement.
There are close to 200 cognac producers.  According to one 2008 estimate, more than 90% of cognac for the U.S. market comes from only four producers.

National Trails Day First Saturday in June

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

Each year on the first Saturday in June it is National Trails Day.  Events held throughout the United States help promote awareness of the wide variety of benefits that trails provide, encourage people to discover their local trials, raise awareness of trail issues and instill excitement for the outdoors.
Trails are for more than just hiking.  Trails provide access to waterways for canoeing and paddle trips.  Birdwatching and geocaching are some other favorite activities.  Learning land navigation or biking are also great trail pursuits.
National Trails Day is also an opportunity to thank the many volunteers, land agencies, trail developers,  park employees, rangers for their help in developing and maintaining the trails.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Use #NationalTrailsDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
National Trails Day is sponsored by the American Hiking Society. For more information, go to National Trails Day.