Welcome to our series featuring Unique Holidays: October 15th, 2022. I would like to ask you to check out the Holidays being celebrated today including Sweetest Day and let me know which Holiday you most want to celebrate and why.
Sweetest Day – third Saturday of month
Now here is a day you and your sweetie can really get into. Sweetest Day exists as an opportunity for you to recognize that sweet and special someone. It doesn’t matter who that person is, or what their relation to you is. They just have to be “sweet” in order to get a little recognition.
While most people celebrate Sweetest Day, by giving Chocolates and other sweets to their “Sweetie”, the original intent of this holiday was something quite different.
Herbert Birch Kingston, a Cleveland, Ohio philanthropist and Candy company employee started Sweetest Day. Herbert Birch Kingston wanted to bring happiness to Orphans, shut-ins and the under-privileged. Herbert Birch Kingston intent was to show these people that they were not forgotten. In 1922, Herbert Birch Kingston started this holiday by giving Candy or small gifts. Movie stars, most notably Theda Bara and Anna Pennington, joined in giving boxes of Candy to people in Cleveland. They gave 10,0000 boxes of Candy to patients in Cleveland hospitals.
The popularity of this holiday quickly spread. The traditions altered. Today, people give Candy and other sweets to loved ones and friends which is perfectly fine.
However, we encourage you to follow the original selfless intent of Sweetest Day. Find ways to give Candy and small gifts to those in need. It will bring a smile and a little happiness to someone who is ill or in need. You’ll be glad that you did!
White Cane Safety Day– always observed on October 15th
October 15th celebrates White Cane Safety Day, a holiday, that celebrates and recognizes the achievements of the blind and visually impaired, and their independence. That independence is represented by the white cane they use to travel from place to place. This holiday is not about helping them across the street. Rather, it is about helping blind people to live and function independently.
The white cane is an invaluable tool for the blind. The white cane affords blind people freedom of movement they otherwise may not have. The white cane is a well-recognized symbol of independence.
If you know someone who is blind or visually impaired, celebrate White Cane Safety Day with they. We suggest you let them take you for a walk.
How to Celebrate White Cane Safety Day
- Assist the blind and visually impaired in their efforts to be independent in their daily lives.
- Join and support organizations that work with the blind or visually impaired
History and Origin of White Cane Safety Day
On October 15th, 1964, a Joint resolution of Congress passed legislation marking this White Cane Safety Day. President Lyndon Johnson immediately issued a proclamation declaring this date to be White Cane Safety Day. This is an annual proclamation.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
