Author: Lisa Mungovan

Have you ever heard of a numbat? It’s also known as a banded anteater, although it only eats termites. One numbat can eat up to 20,000 per day! The small marsupial is native to Western Australia, and is an endangered species. It’s World Numbat Day, so look up a photo of these cute little guys!

Today is Saxophone Day, in honor of the mellow brass woodwind instrument. Adolphe Sax developed the instrument in 1846. What would you name an instrument, if you invented one? It’s also Nachos Day, so start with a bag of tortilla chips. Melt some cheese on top, and add jalapenos, salsa, or whatever else you’d like!

The Strong National Museum of Play, in Rochester New York, inducted 3 toys to its Toy Hall of Fame this year. The new inductees are American Girl dolls, the Risk board game, and sand. Yep! Plain old sand. You don’t have to spend money, to have one of the best toys in history.

The United Nations is holding a Climate Change Conference in Scotland, called COP26. While the conference focuses on Youth and Public Empowerment Day, protests outside, are demonstrating how the world’s young people can make an impact. Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg, is leading thousands of people, on her 167th Fridays For Future climate strike.

In 2016, when the Mars Curiosity rover’s drill broke, it scooped up some loose sand from Ogunquit Beach. After years of study, the sand has revealed new organic molecules, on the Red Planet. The sand doesn’t prove there was life on Mars, but it provided another successful method, to search for signs of life.

Today is Jersey Friday! Wear your favorite sports jersey, and show your spirit. It’s also Fountain Pen Day. Using an old-fashioned fountain pen, with a refillable ink reservoir, makes your writing look elegant. Try using a calligraphy pen, for a fancier autograph. Redheads can also celebrate, Love Your Red Hair Day. What a glorious color!

Roll out of bed, for Doughnut Day! Krispy Kreme and Duck Donuts, are giving away free doughnuts, while Dunkin’ will give you a doughnut if you buy a drink. Check your favorite doughnut shop for deals. Don’t forget, Krispy Kreme gives vaccinated customers a free doughnut every day, as thanks for fighting COVID-19.

Sometimes people with a lot of money, invest in gold, fine art, or real estate. The Real Wild Estates Company, in the UK, wants people to invest in re-wilding the land instead. Land that’s turned back over to nature, brings cleaner air and water, more trees, habitat for native species, and nature-based jobs.

Archaeologists found a 1000-year-old canoe, at the bottom of a cenote, or underwater sinkhole. Divers exploring caves in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, found the wooden boat near the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza. The area was used for ancient ceremonies, so they’ll try to learn if the canoe was part of a ritual.