Unique Holidays: August 7th, 2022

Holidays

Welcome to our series celebrating Unique Holidays: August 7th, 2022. Today is Friendship Day and also Sister’s Day. Did you know my sister Debbie is one of my best friends. I try and celebrate all my friends everyday not just on a holiday. I would like to thank each of my readers. I wish you a wonderful week and yes, I consider you a friend.

Friendship Day – First Sunday in August

Friendship Day is a day to nurture relationships, new and old and today is a really fun day to celebrate.

Start the day by getting in touch with some old friends. Start early. Chances are, your friends know it’s  Friendship Day. You want to beat them to the punch, and contact them first. Phone calls, emails, and Ecards, are great ways to reach your friends. See if you can make plans for lunch with a friend today, or some other day. Soon.

Catch up to some of your current pals and buddies. Make sure to do interesting things with them before the day is through. As you go through the day, be vigilant to spot an opportunity to make a new friend. Finding new friends today, is a real feather in your cap.

I wish you a very fine day, my friend.

One thing is for certain. If you put your all into the spirit of Friendship Day, you will have a great day.

History and Origin of Friendship Day:

In 1935, the United States Congress, proclaimed the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day. Following the popularity and success of Friendship Day in the US, several other Countries adopted the tradition of dedicating a day to friends. Friendship Day is celebrated by several Countries around the world.

Did you know in 1997, the United Nations named Winnie the Pooh as the world’s Ambassador of Friendship.

International Forgiveness Day – First Sunday in August

Global Forgiveness Day is held on  July 7th which is also referred to as “World Forgiveness Day” and “National Forgiveness Day”.

International Forgiveness Day is held on the first Sunday of August

Forgiveness Day is a time to forgive and to be forgiven. Which must be a pretty good thing, because there are two major organizations in particular that lay claim to creating Forgiveness Day. If you dig deeply, you will discover that there are a number of other “Forgiveness” days, created by primarily religious organizations, or organized groups promoting the concept of forgiveness. These holidays are World or international events. There’s enough trouble and strife in the world. The existence of multiple forgiveness days can only help to make the world and your life a little better. We agree with the sponsors of this holiday, that a little more forgiveness will  help to make the world a much better place.

All of the holidays promoting forgiveness, have one thing in common: to forgive and forget wrongs. Put aside the grudges and bury the hatchet. End the feuds. Life is too short to hold in the pain and anxiety. Forgive people and you will find your life is calmer, and more peaceful. Forgiveness goes both ways. While much of the focus of these days encourages you to forgive others, it is also important to seek forgiveness to both God and others, for any wrongs you have done.     

Global Forgiveness Day began in 1994 and was created and is sponsored by the Christian Embassy of Christ’s Ambassadors. This holiday originated in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Depending upon a variety of sources, this holiday is sometimes called World Forgiveness Day or National Forgiveness Day.

International Forgiveness Day was created by the World Forgiveness Alliance, a non-denominational, educational foundation. According to their website: ” International Forgiveness Day is dedicated to evoking the healing power of forgiveness worldwide.” The founder is Robert W. Plath, from Mill Valley, California.

 Use today to clear your conscience and your soul. Take a few moments to sincerely forgive someone and to ask forgiveness of others. If possible, make it public. That way forgiveness will spread.

In Religions:

** The Jewish celebration of Yom Kippur is a day of atonement or forgiving.

** In Christian religions, the first Sunday before Lent is called “Forgiveness Sunday”.

 “To err is human. To forgive is divine.”

Other Forgiveness Day Dates:

Many Organizations, often religious groups, have held “Forgiveness Days” on various dates during the year. Many of them are one-time or small, localized events.

National Lighthouse Day 

National Lighthouse Day honors and commemorates a beacon of light that symbolizes safety and security for boats at Sea.

On August 7th, 1789, through an Act of Congress, the Federal Government took over responsibility for building and operating our Nation’s lighthouses. The government recognized the importance to ships at Sea to find safe harbor during Fog or Storms. Over the years, lighthouses have saved many ships, and an untold  number of lives.

Throughout maritime history, Lighthouses have shined their powerful, sweeping lights through the Fog and Storms, allowing ships of all kinds to find their way back to port during inclement weather. With the advent of radar and GPS technology, lighthouses have taken a back seat in guiding ships to port. However, lighthouses remain the universal symbol of safe harbor to ships and communities that rely upon the Sea for their livelihood.

 There are numerous local and national lighthouse preservation societies and lighthouse organizations that serve to preserve and promote lighthouses, and their historical significance to communities, and to the nation.

Enjoy National Lighthouse Day by visiting a lighthouse, or learning more about your local lighthouse preservation society. Today is a good day to read a book about lighthouses.

History and Origin of National Lighthouse Day:

On this day in 1789, the U.S. Congress enacted legislation allowing the federal government control over the creation and maintenance of lighthouses.  This holiday evolved out of this event, and in recent years, through efforts to preserve lighthouses as a important historical symbol in America.

In 1989, the U.S. Congress proclaimed National Lighthouse Day.

Professional Speakers Day

Today is Professional Public Speakers Day, a day to recognize the importance of those who stand up in front of us and share their knowledge and insight on an endless range of topics.

To be a speaker requires a unique skill set. As soon as a speaker walks up to the dais, turns on the microphone, and opens his mouth, that unique set of skills becomes apparent. Often a person has what it takes to talk in public, or is the expert in their field, but not both. First you have to have the ability, and shall we say the nerve, to speak in public. All too many people have everything else needed to be a good speaker. To many, the thought of talking in public in front of a group is nothing short of terrifying. For some people public speaking comes naturally, while others have an inbred fear that takes tremendous will power and practice to overcome. Some people never get over the fear, and refuse to speak in public. A speaker also needs to be knowledgeable on the topic to be discussed. Better still, they are often experts in their fields. For speakers who allow a Q&A after the talk, the depth of this knowledge and expertise is essential, and is on display.

Participating in this holiday is quite easy. Simply attend a seminar or an event with a speaker. Make sure to give a heart felt applause after the speech. Another way to mark this day, is to speak publicly. If your not quite ready to speak in public? Take a course in public speaking.

History and Origin of Professional Public Speakers Day:

We found very little information or reference to this holiday and we did not find the creator or when the holiday was first created which appears to be very recently created.

There was so little information and documentation about this holiday, that we almost chose not to post it. But, we feel that it is important to recognize those who speak in public, not just professionals, but all public speakers, if only for the bravery they display in talking in front of people.

Sister Day – First Sunday in August

Sister’s Day celebrates being or having a sister. Today is a holiday to celebrate your love for you sister(s). That means a lot of us will celebrate this holiday. Sisters are truly special and unique. We may argue and fight but, when it comes right down to it, sisters are the best, Make sure you let your sister know. After all, your sister may tell you “My sister has the best sister!”.

Who qualifies as a “Sister”? In the spirit of sisterhood and inclusiveness, this can include: biological sisters, blended family sisters, sister-in-law, sorority sisters, and of course religious nuns, Sometimes friends refer to each other as sisters. This relationship counts and is celebrated today.

Today does not have to be a gift giving event. Just being close sisters is gift enough. How about celebrating Sister’s Day by spending time together!? Go to lunch or dinner. Or go shopping or take a trip to the beach. Any activity that you and your sister or sisters enjoy doing together, is the perfect way to spend the holiday.

For all of you guys reading this, you can celebrate it , too. If you have a sister, let her know how much she is loved by you, and how much she means to you. 

Celebrate Sister’s Day by spending time with your sister. Make it a holiday in some way for you, and for her.

 Related Holidays:

Brothers and Sisters Day

National Siblings Day

Who’s Wrong!? .

Crayola and Hallmark are pretty big companies. When they write something on their websites, you take it for fact. Crayola.com reports this holiday as August 5th. Hallmark.com records Sister’s Day as August 7th. Other sites show this holiday on varying dates, usually in the first week of August. Who is right?

They are all wrong! Sister’s Day is on the first Sunday of August. Just once every seven years, if they are correct.

The Origin of Sister’s Day:

Tricia Rivalto Eleogram and Stacey Lowrey from Memphis, TN. launched Sisters’ Day and they wrote a book about Sister’s Day too. The State of Tennessee recognized this holiday with House Joint Resolution # 378 on January 17th, 1996.

A few websites refer to this as “National Sister’s Day” but this is not a national day. Importantly, the creators founded it as “Sister’s Day”, and refer to it as such to this day.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates