Holiday Calendar

Today is April Fools’ Day! Beware of practical jokes, pranks, and tricks! Although it’s been celebrated for hundreds of years, no one really knows how the tradition of April Fools’ Day began. According to one theory, when France officially adopted the Roman calendar in the 1500s many rural communities continued to celebrate New Year’s Day in April. The people in these small villages became known as the “April fools.”

There are many famous (and infamous) April Fools’ Day jokes. In 1957, the BBC ran a very successful fake documentary that explained to viewers how spaghetti is grown on spaghetti trees. Many people actually believed it! In 1996, the Taco Bell Corporation took out full-page ads in six major newspapers announcing that it had purchased the Liberty Bell. Hundreds of enraged citizens called to protest the newly named “Taco Liberty Bell.” The company waited a few hours before admitting that it was a practical joke.

To celebrate April Fools’ Day, send a free April Fools’ Day eCard, play a trick on someone you know, and watch out for pranks played on you!

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International Fun at Work Day
Observed annually on April 1st

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The month of April / Ostara

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National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
Observed annually on April 2nd

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Anniversary of the First Documented Ice Cream Sunday in 1892

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Sweet Potato Day
Also known as Tater Day

Observed the first Monday of April

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Mark your calendar and celebrate in your own way.

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National Cordon Bleu Day is observed next on Tuesday, April 4th, 2017. It has always been observed annually on April 4th.

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National Deep Dish Pizza Day
Observed annually on April 5th

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Doctor Zefram Cochrane was a Human scientist in the 21st century and a pivotal figure in Human history. An eccentric genius, he was the inventor of warp drive on Earth and became the first recorded Human to travel faster than light, prompting official first contact with the Vulcans.

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Fresh Tomato Day
Observed annually on April 6th

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National Tartan Day honors and celebrates Scottish culture and the role it has played in the development of the United States. Canada has been celebrating Tartan Day since 1993 and the U.S. Senate officially recognized it in 1998.

There are three groups of people that came from Scotland to America - the Lowland Scotts, the Highland Scotts, and the Scotch-Irish. Each of these groups has influenced American culture. They've passed on Scottish last names, introduced the sport of golf, shared the sounds of the bagpipes, and made tartan a fashion staple!

Tartan is a crisscrossed pattern of horizontal and vertical bands woven into cloth. It is made by weaving colored threads at right angles to each other. The Dress Act of 1746 attempted to ban tartan and other aspects of Gaelic culture in order to bring people under tighter government control. The law was repealed in 1782 and tartan became symbolic as the national dress of Scotland.

To celebrate National Tartan Day, wear your favorite tartan and celebrate Scottish-American culture!

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International Beaver Day
Observed annually on April 7th

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National Beer Day
Observed annually on April 7th

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National Coffee Cake Day
Observed annually on April 7th

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Dog Farting Awareness Day
Observed annually on April 8th

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National Empañada Day
Observed annually on April 8th

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Remembrance for Haakon Sigurdsson (Haakon the Great), one of the Jarls of Hladhir, a great defender of Heathenism in Norway during the brutal period of forced conversion to Christianity.

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National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
Observed annually on April 9th

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Safety Pin Day
Observed annually on April 10th

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Today is National Pet Day! This holiday is all about appreciating and celebrating the wonderful pets in your life. Did you know that there are approximately 86.4 million pet cats and 78.2 million pet dogs living in the United States today? Gerbils, birds, turtles, and fish are also very common. If you consider your pet a member of the family, you are by no means alone. Six out of ten pet owners feel the same way!

Celebrity pet lifestyle expert and animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige founded National Pet Day to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption. The motto of the holiday is “Don’t shop! Adopt!” and it is sponsored by the Animal Miracle Foundation, whose mission is to help animals in shelters find forever homes.

To celebrate National Pet Day, take your dog on a long walk or give your cat a little extra catnip to show your love and appreciation. Not a pet owner? Consider making a donation or volunteering at your local pet shelter. Happy National Pet Day!

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Celebrate by wearing a fake (or real) mustache to work!! Dress down for all who participate!

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National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
Observed annually on April 12th

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It’s National Peach Cobbler Day! A cobbler is a deep-dish fruit pie covered with a thick crust made from biscuit dough. This delicious dessert originated in the American West during the 19th century. Although for many years people did not consider cobbler fashionable enough to serve to guests, it has now earned a permanent place in the pantheon of wholesome American desserts.

Did you know that the world’s largest peach cobbler was 11x5 feet across and 8 inches deep? It appeared at the the Georgia Peach Festival in 2007 and contained 90 pounds of butter, 150 pounds of sugar, 150 pounds of flour, 32 gallons of milk, and 75 gallons of peaches!

To celebrate National Peach Cobbler Day, bake a delicious peach cobbler for dessert tonight!

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Mark your calendar and celebrate in your own way.

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National Pecan Day
Observed annually on April 14th

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National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
Observed annually on April 15th

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Today we celebrate the first day of Summer in the Old Icelandic calendar. In Iceland, it had strong agricultural overtones, but elsewhere in the Nordic world, it was a time to sacrifice to Odin for victory in the summer voyages and battles.

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It’s Tax Day! Today is the day that tax returns are due to the United States federal government. Although this might not be the jolliest of occasions, checking this particular item off your to-do list is definitely worth celebrating. Send a free Tax Day eCard to congratulate your friends on surviving the paperwork!

Every year since 1955, people have paid their taxes on April 15, except when this date falls on a weekend or holiday. (In that case, Tax Day is the following business day.) Federal income tax was first established by the Revenue Act of 1861. Its purpose was to fund the Civil War. Over the years there have been several Supreme Court cases that have challenged the constitutionality of income taxes.

To celebrate Tax Day, send in your tax return and then have a little victory party. You won’t have to worry about taxes again for a whole year!

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Easter falls on the first Sunday after the Full Moon date, based on mathematical calculations, that falls on or after March 21. If the Full Moon is on a Sunday, Easter is celebrated on the following Sunday.

Read the history of Easter →

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Casual dress for anyone in PJ's (Work appropriate please!)

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Today is National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day! How many times have you just wanted to roll out of bed and head into work in your cozy, comfortable pajamas? Well, today you can!

National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day is exactly what it sounds like—a day dedicated to wearing your pajamas to work. This holiday always falls on the weekday after taxes are due because an ultra-casual day is the perfect way to recover. Just make sure to check your schedule to make sure you don’t have any big meetings planned!

Check out all the celebrities and companies that celebrate National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day, and sport your favorite PJs to the office today to join in the fun!

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It’s National Cheeseball Day! Did you know that the term “cheeseball” can actually refer to two very different foods? The first type of cheeseballs are the bright orange, marble-sized snacks that turn your fingers orange (very similar to cheese doodles). The second type is the kind you might serve with crackers at a party.

A traditional cheeseball appetizer includes ingredients like cream cheese, cheddar cheese, nuts, salt, pepper, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Gourmet versions use bleu cheese, olives, pineapple, sherry, or smoked salmon. According to legend, a man named Elisha Brown Jr. pressed the first cheeseball at his farm in 1801. It weighed 1,235 pounds! He presented it as a gift to President Thomas Jefferson at the White House.

To celebrate National Cheeseball Day, pick up a bag of cheeseballs at your local grocery store or make your own gourmet cheeseball as a dinner appetizer! Enjoy!

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National Velociraptor Awareness Day
Observed annually on April 18th

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National Amaretto Day
Observed annually on April 19th

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History of Brownie DayThe first brownies ever made set the bar for the hedonistic indulgence that was to follow, created for a fair luncheon in the late 1800’s, the first variety of these was found bedecked in an apricot glaze and inundated with delicious walnuts. To this day the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago serves the same recipe as that served to these ladies well over a hundred years ago.Brownie Day was established by the millions of fans of this chocolatey-cakey treat, and the recipes that have cropped up over the years have been legion. From Chocolate Mint brownies to those made with rich swirls of caramel, the variations of brownie are limited only by the extent of your imagination.How to Celebrate Brownie DayWell let’s be frank, the best way to celebrate Brownie Day is to hunker down over a big ol’ slice of brownie and indulge in this favorite. Whether you buy a boxed mix or swing into your local confectionary establishment, don’t let Brownie Day go by without getting a mouthful of rich cakey chocolate. Then share with you friends! Bringing in a tray of brownies to your workplace is sure to make you a hit with your co-workers, and maybe even sweeten up your boss enough to get you a raise. Well, recognition of your generosity at least.Even better, host a party at your home or workplace where that’s brownie themed. With all the varieties in taste out there, you’re certain to have a great collection of treats to indulge in, just be sure to stock up on the milk, as nothing goes with a rich chocolatey dessert like a glass of wholesome milk. Brownie Day, another great excuse to overload on chocolate!

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Mark your calendar and celebrate in your own way.

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Tuna Rights Day
Observed annually on April 21st

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Today is Earth Day! Every year on April 22, more than 1 billion people in 175 countries participate in Earth Day events. It is the largest civic observance in the world, and its purpose is to raise awareness about important environmental issues. To spread the word about this special occasion, send an eco-friendly free Earth Day eCard to friends and family!

The first Earth Day took place in 1970. After witnessing the effects of an oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson organized a grassroots “environmental teach-in” on college campuses across the country. Many people believe that this first Earth Day celebration marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement.

To celebrate Earth Day, plant a tree, help clean up a beach or park, or participate in a local event near you. Happy Earth Day!

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On this day, we realize the great significance that the World Tree plays in our culture, heritage, and spirituality. It is from the World Tree that we came, and it shelters and nurtures the Asatru today, and will offer refuge come Ragnarok. Trees are the lungs as well as the soul of Midgard.

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It’s Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day! This holiday has inspired future generations of girls and boys to explore the many career choices they have by bringing them into the workplace. Designed to be more then a career day, this holiday enables children to work together with parents, mentors, and educators to strengthen the connection between education and the workplace.

The Ms. Foundation for Women founded this holiday in 1993. Originally it was designed to give young girls an insight into workplace opportunities, however, it was such a success that boys were entered into the program in 2003. The program is most beneficial for children between the ages of 8 and 18.

Over 37 million youths and adults participate in this holiday at over 3.5 million workplaces each year. By providing youths with interactive activities and a hands-on experience, they can see how their education relates to their futures. Celebrate today by bringing your son, daughter, or other young person into your workplace to explore the different career choices they have. Happy Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day!

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Today is Arbor Day! Arbor Day has been celebrated since 1872. A journalist named J. Sterling Morton created this holiday to encourage people to plant trees and to raise awareness about the importance of forests and plants. The first Arbor Day took place in the state of Nebraska, and local newspapers estimated that one million trees were planted that day!

Today, Arbor Day is a worldwide celebration. People celebrate this holiday by volunteering their time to plant trees or donating money to preserve forests. Many schools plan a variety of Arbor Day activities like essay contests, art projects, and fieldtrips to local parks to get kids engaged in this important campaign.

To celebrate Arbor Day, plant a tree in your yard or send a free Arbor Day eCard to friends and family. Happy Arbor Day!

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Mark your calendar and celebrate in your own way.

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Denim Day
Observed the last Wednesday of April

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Today is National Prime Rib Day! Prime rib is a delicious cut of beef that is usually roasted and served as the main course of a meal. Real prime rib is graded USDA Prime, and can be quite difficult to obtain. Other grades of meat in the United States are Choice, Select, Cutter, and Canner. The best type of meat to use for prime rib is Prime, but Choice meat will work as well.

To cook your own prime rib, begin by removing the extra fat from the bottom of the roast. Combine 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 cup fresh rosemary, 1/2 cup fresh tarragon, 1/4 cup fresh thyme, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil. Coat the meat with the herb mixture and then cook at 325 degrees for about 2 1/2 hours (or until the internal temperature reaches 120 degrees). Allow the prime rib to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Happy National Prime Rib Day!

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Dress as your favorite super hero today!!

Do your senses start to tingle when your little ones are in need of a helping hand? Has your mother’s seemingly supersonic hearing ever saved the day? Or, does your BFF always seem to arrive in the nick of time?

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National Shrimp Scampi Day
Observed annually on April 29th

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Mark your calendar and celebrate in your own way.

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Bugs Bunny Day
Observed annually on April 30th

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Waluburgis Night (Valborgsmassoafton in Swedish, Vappu in Finnish, Walpurgisnacht in German) is a holiday celebrated on April 30, in Finland, Sweden and Germany.

It is named after a woman called "Valborg" (alternative spellings are "Walpurgis", "Wealdburg", or "Valderburger") born in 710 somewhere in Dorset / Wessex as a niece of Saint Boniface. Together with her brothers she later travelled to Württemberg, Germany where she became a nun and lived in the convent of Heidenheim, which was founded by her brother Wunibald. Valborg died on February 25, 779 and that day still carries her name in the Catholic calendar. However, she wasn't made a saint until May 1 in the same year, and that day carries her name in the Swedish calendar.

Viking fertility celebrations took place around April 30 and due to Valborg being declared a saint at that time of year, her name became associated with the celebrations. Valborg was worshipped in the same way that Vikings had celebrated spring and as they spread throughout Europe the two dates became mixed together and created the Valborg celebration.

Waluburgis is one of the main holidays during the year in both Sweden and Finland, alongside of Yule and Midsummer. One of the main traditions is to light large bonfires, and for the younger people to collect greens and branches from the woods at twilight, which were used to adorn the houses of the village. The expected reward for this task to be paid in eggs.

The tradition which is most spread throughout the country is probably singing songs of spring. The strongest and most traditional spring festivities take up most of the day from early morning to late night on April 30.

Historically the Walpurgisnacht is derived from heathen spring customs, where the arrival of spring was celebrated with bonfires at night. With the Christianization of Germany these old customs were condemned as heathen.

No true Germanic Heathen name survives for May Eve; the German Walpurgisnacht is derived from the well-documented Christian St. Walpurga. To avoid confusion, and because no better name survives, many Germanic heathens have replaced 'Walpurga' with the name of the second-century Germanic seeress 'Waluburg'. This festival marks the beginning of summer in Scandinavia.

In all the Germanic countries, it is a time when witches are particularly active, a belief memorialized in Goethe's description of the witch-moot on the Brocken (Faust, Act I) and Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain".

It is also the Germanic equivalent of Valentine's Day and a night of love: young men are expected to go out into the woods to gather green branches and wildflowers with which they decorate the windows of their beloveds. For both these reasons, Heathens consider Freya to be the ruler of this festival, as she is mistress of both witchcraft and love. The traditional 'Maypole' or 'May Tree' is also a part of the celebration of this feast; in Scandinavia, the 'May Tree' is carried about in processions, a practice which probably goes back to the Vanic fruitfulness-procession of earliest Heathen times. Fires were kindled on grave mounds or other high places on this night; it is traditional for folk to leap through the flames for luck. A fire kindled by friction (the 'need-fire') might also be used to protect cattle against illness or cure them.

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National Oatmeal Cookie Day
Observed annually on April 30th

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