Author: Lisa Mungovan

At 8:30 pm today, turn off all your lights for Earth Hour. People around the globe will participate at 8:30 in their time zone, creating a wave of darkness sweeping across the Earth. Earth Hour was created to bring attention to each person’s part in protecting our planet. What will you do to help?

Today is World Water Day, organized by the United Nations. This year’s theme is, “Leveraging water for peace.” Hundreds of millions of people around the world, don’t have access to clean water, especially in war zones, so we need solutions right away. Freshwater sources can easily get polluted, in any community.

Today is International Seal Day. These marine mammals, called pinnipeds, range from the 99-pound Galapagos fur seal, to the 8,500-pound Southern elephant seal. They can grow 16 feet long! Seals can sleep underwater, and hold their breath for up to 2 hours, but they also love basking in the sun on rocks or piers.

Your parents or grandparents might look old to you, but they probably picture themselves as much younger. Today is As Young As You Feel Day, so invite your ancient relatives, to act like kids again. Play some soccer, go to the playground and swing, or have a dance party. They’ll be all smiles!

Today is West Virginia Day. When Virginia seceded from the Union during the time of the Civil War, the western part refused to join the Confederates, and formed the 35th state of West Virginia instead. Okay, you learned something. Now you’re excused, to enjoy Goof Off Day. Have fun!

New Zealand has given the title of Fish of the Year, to the blobfish. Once named the world’s ugliest animal, the blobfish beat out species like longfin eels, big-bellied seahorses, and great white sharks. After enduring insults at the bottom of the ocean, New Zealanders honored the blobfish with its moment in the sun.

Today is World Puppetry Day. Sesame Street has some of the most famous puppets, like Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie. Some puppets, called marionettes, are controlled by strings, like Pinocchio. People have been telling stories with puppets, for 4000 years! Use an old sock, to make your own puppet and have a show.

3. 2. 1. It’s Countdown Day! You can count down the days to almost anything, like the years until your 100th birthday, the days until summer vacation, or the minutes until dinner. How long until you can celebrate Teenager Day, or until you’re old enough to get tattooed, for World Tattoo Day? Start counting!

Today is the International Day of Forests. Find a secluded spot in the woods, then lie on your back and look up at the trees. Listen to the birds, and smell the aroma of the leaves, because it’s Fragrance Day. It’s also Memory Day, so don’t forget your way back out of the forest!

That’s fantastic bread.

It’s crispy on the outside!

Thank you very much.

Today is World Poetry Day, so I wrote a haiku poem. It has 3 lines, containing 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables. It’s also French Bread Day, and Common Courtesy Day. Use your manners, when you eat all the delicious bread!