Independence Day might be the most well known holiday in July, but did you know that this month also contains many other fun and quirky celebrations? Here are some of the strangest holidays in the month of July: July 1st: National Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day This holiday celebrates all of the unique combinations of tastes that bored ice-cream makes have come up with, so why not sample some wasabi ice cream or pine nut gelato? July 8th: Video Games Day Bring out all of your extra controllers and challenge your friends to a multi-player battle on your favorite video game. Make sure you have … [Read more...]
The History of Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is coming up on the second Sunday in May and this is the day when we thank our mothers for all of the hard work they have done for us. On this special day Mother’s are lavished with presents, cards and attention from their families and loved ones and usually treated to flowers, chocolates, spa treatments, gifts and more. Have you ever wondered where this tradition of honoring our mothers came from? You might be surprised to know that Mother’s Day has older origins than you might think. Early Ancient Goddess Celebrations The very early origins of Mother’s … [Read more...]
Strange and Quirky Facts about Mexico
Are you heading south of the border for your next holiday? Mexico is a unique and fascinating country, with a diverse range of inhabitants and a long and complex history. There is a lot to know about Mexico, and learning a bit about this country can make your holiday a lot more interesting. Here are some facts about the country, some strange, some funny, and some intriguing. Perhaps they will spark your interest and get you curious to learn more about Mexico during your travels: Did you know that Mexico’s full name is actually “Estados Unidos Mexicanos?” This translates to … [Read more...]
Exploring the Historical Sites of Puerto Rico
The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico has a long and fascinating history. Because it is located right in the middle of the “New World” it has been a target of conquest for many centuries. Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1493, on his second voyage of discovery. It was later settled by the Spanish explorer known as Ponce de Leon and was under possession by the Spanish for over 400 years. At the end of the Spanish American war, the island of Puerto Rico became United States territory due to the Treaty of Paris. There are many battlements and fortifications throughout Puerto … [Read more...]
So What Really Happened On Leap Year?
So 2012 is a leap year with 366 days instead of the normal 365. But do you know why? The ancient Egyptians figured out that the solar year and the man-made calendar year didn't match up perfectly. It's all caused by the time that it takes the Earth to revolve around the sun - 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds to be exact. (Ever wonder who was manning the stopwatch for that one?) Therefore, the extra hours and change have to be carried over and every 4 years an extra day was added to the calendar to keep it all even. Interestingly, there are a number of other … [Read more...]
