Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today is World Radio Day. Before TV, families used to listen to radio shows together. It’s great for new music. But radio is important for more than entertainment. In 19 46, United Nations Radio was established to help connect the world. Radio still reaches parts of the world, that don’t have internet service or television signals.

Cats are natural hunters, and enjoy stalking their prey. Indoor cats will happily attack a feather on a stick, but cats that go outside, kill lots of birds. Researchers found that if you play with them more, as well as feed them a meatier diet, they hunt less wildlife.

Find a penny, pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck. It’s always lucky to find money! Today is Lost Penny Day. One year, a bronze penny from 19 43 sold for $200,000! Keep all the pennies you find in a little bank, and next year on Lost Penny Day, buy yourself a treat!

Today is Plum Pudding Day. Also called Christmas pudding, a tradition is for the whole family to hold onto a wooden spoon and make a wish while stirring the batter together. In the 17th century, raisins and other fruits were called plums, so don’t be surprised if your recipe doesn’t have plums in it!

Today is No One Eats Alone Day. If you’re doing virtual learning, have lunch with a friend by facetime, or put them on speakerphone. Does your cafeteria have a table where kids can go to find a lunch buddy? Suggest one, so that no one ever has to eat alone!

Xīn nián kuài lè! That means “Happy new year” in Chinese. The Chinese Lunar New Year starts today, and it’s the Year of the Ox. The Spring Festival begins 15 days of parties, fireworks, feasts and parades. It’s traditional to wear red and avoid sweeping. You’d sweep out good luck that the new year brought!

During the pandemic, many schools have been holding virtual classes. There are also virtual courtrooms, and they can experience the same technical difficulties as kids do. Texas lawyer Rod Ponton, accidentally turned on the Kitty filter during a Zoom court hearing, and had to assure the Judge he was not actually a cat.

In 20 19, astronomers spotted the most distant object ever identified in our solar system, and nicknamed it Far-Far-Out. It orbits the sun at a distance of 140 astronomical units, which is over 13,000,000,000,000 miles away! Scientists have been studying it, and learned it’s 250 miles across, and could take over 800 years, to orbit the sun!

Think about all the things you use every day. Someone invented them all, from light bulbs and televisions, to socks and forks. Today is Inventors’ Day, so look up the origins of your favorite objects. When was it invented? Try to make your own invention, and someday someone might be looking up your object!

Did you dump your drink and make a big mess? Don’t worry. It’s Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day. Just calmly clean up the mess, and carry on with your day. It’s no big deal! It’s also Get Out Your Guitar Day, so play a few tunes today. Is your guitar electric or acoustic?