Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today is Bison Day. The American bison, the USA’s national mammal, is North America’s largest land mammal. They can grow 11 1/2 feet long! Although people also call them buffalo, the scientific name is Bison bison. Buffalo species, like the cape buffalo and water buffalo, are beardless, and don’t have the giant shoulder hump.

In 1969, Cookie Monster made his first appearance on the Sesame Street tv show. He’s been messily eating cookies, ever since. Today is Cookie Monster Day, so shove a cookie in your mouth. But since it’s also Deviled Egg Day, eat some pretty boiled eggs first. The yolks are mixed with other ingredients.

Today is Look For Circles Day. Start by looking at your eyes in the mirror. Your pupils are little circles, and your irises are bigger ones. Now search your house for circles, then find circles in nature. How many can you count? If you get stuck, just open a book and look for O’s!

Mexico, and many Latin American communities, are celebrating the 2-day holiday of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. People remember their loved ones who have died, with small altars holding flowers, candles, and some of their favorite things. Beautifully decorated sugar skulls, and parades, also honor deceased family members.

The 5-day celebration of Diwali begins today. It’s the Hindu Festival of Lights, marked by oil lamps and candles, fireworks, feasts, and gifts. Do you have any friends that are Hindu? Ask them to tell you about their family traditions. Make foods like samosas or sweet gulab jamun, for a taste of the festivities.

As you get dressed today, wear your favorite sports jersey. It’s Jersey Friday! Today is also Fountain Pen Day. It might be less convenient, but an old-fashioned fountain pen, with a refillable ink reservoir, makes your writing look elegant. Try using a calligraphy fountain pen for an even fancier style!

Today is Go Cook For Your Pets Day, so look up a healthy recipe for your little buddy. Continue being kind to animals by celebrating World Vegan Day, and the beginning of World Vegan Month. Vegans don’t eat meat or animal products. Have a dinner tonight that has no meat, fish, or dairy ingredients!

Today is Calzone Day, Vinegar Day, and Cinnamon Day. Calzones are like pizzas folded in half, so the toppings are inside. But vinegar and cinnamon probably wouldn’t be very good fillings. It’s also Author’s Day, so reed a story by your favorite author. Maybe it’ll inspire you to write a story also!

The Earth has imaginary lines marking longitude, that go up and down, and latitude, that go around. Every 15° longitude, is a meridian line, representing 1 hour of the Earth’s rotation. In 1884, officials from 25 nations met, and decided 0° longitude, the Prime Meridian, would run through Greenwich England.

Are there any piano players listening? How quick are your fingers on the keyboard? Thurzo Zoltan, a Romanian concert pianist, set a new world record, by hitting a single piano key with his fingers 500 times, in 30 seconds. Instead of a melodious tune, it sounded like a tiny jackhammer.