Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today is Rosa Parks Day, commemorating the date she became a hero in the civil rights movement. Rosa Parks was arrested in 1955, for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in Alabama. A statue in Montgomery Alabama, honors Rosa’s act of courage, and the fight for equality.

Today is Eat A Red Apple Day! Buy a whole bag and make an apple pie, since it’s also National Pie Day! Pie rhymes with tie, and guess what! It’s the beginning of Tie Month. You can wear bow ties, string ties, fat ties, skinny ties, bolo ties, or light-up ties, all month long!

Nigerian musician Davido, joked on Twitter, that people should send him money for his birthday. The Afrobeats superstar was shocked, when fans started sending money by the thousands. Davido added $120,000 of his own, and gave all $600,000 to orphanages in Nigeria. He also released a new music video, to thank his fans.

If you’re in 4th or 5th grade, and live near West Virginia, now’s your chance, to learn to ski or snowboard. 5 different ski resorts have joined the West Virginia Passport Program, to offer 4th and 5th graders free lift tickets, from January through March. One free lesson is also included. Find info at go-ski-wv.com.

Enjoy celebrating Mousse Day, by eating chocolate mousse. I mean the delicious dessert, not the animal! It’s also Mason Jar Day, the jar that’s perfect for preserves, drinks, or crafts. Then learn to spell m-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i, for Mississippi Day. The state’s western border, is the winding Mississippi River, flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.

Did you know today, is Computer Security Day? Update your operating systems, and install security updates to catch spyware and malware. Most importantly, use strong passwords. Try using random words, and definitely don’t use 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 or PASSWORD for your password. And remember, never give out your personal information to anyone online, including nosy online quizzes.

Yesterday, Americans spent over $10,000,000,000 shopping online on Cyber Monday. Today is meant to give something back! It’s Giving Tuesday, named in 2012 when two organizations wanted to designate one day for global charity. Last year, generous people around the world donated nearly 2 1/2 billion dollars, to help others! Donate time, money, or goods to your favorite cause.

If you love playing soccer, you probably have your own soccer ball. Maybe you even have a few different ones. But Rodrigo Romero Saldivar, of Puebla Mexico, owns 1,230 soccer balls! He started his collection when he was in Germany, watching the 2006 World Cup. His colorful collection is the largest in the world.

Last week, an annual underwater spectacle took place, in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The largest coral reef in the world, had billions of babies! Coral spawn could be pink, purple, or blue, depending on the species. As they are released into the water, it looks like someone shook a giant snow-globe.

Today is Throw Out Your Leftovers Day. I think what it really means, is throw the leftover food in your mouth, and eat it, before it gets moldy in the fridge. You can always combine leftovers, into a big pot of soup. Save room for dessert, because it’s also Lemon Cream Pie Day.