Days & Ways to Celebrate – April 30 –May 6, 2020
/It’s the end of April and we’re into May. We’re still stay-at-homers and we’re still healthy. There’s so much going on and so much not going on, it’s hard to keep up with it all. So take a break from the pandemic and the info-demic and celebrate just for the sake of celebrating OR if you need a reason, here’s another week of Days & Ways to Celebrate to keep you merry and bright. I’ll remind you daily on FaceBook of all the occasions there are for you to celebrate, but get a head start here to plan your upcoming week. I mean if you’re ‘sheltering in place’… what else is on your busy agenda?
April 30th
Bugs Bunny Day
Happy 82nd Birthday, Bugs!
What’s up, Doc? Say goodbye to April by celebrating Bugs Bunny Day commemorating the date the famous rabbit first appeared in a short film in 1938. Known for his comical antics, Bugs created memorable roles in both Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons produced by Warner Bros. Get some comic relief today by watching a ‘wascally wabbit’ cartoon… while eating carrots.
May 1st – May Day, May Day, May Day
It’s a busy, busy day and the celebratory options are nearly overwhelming.
Beltane
A Beltane/May Day celebration at First Parish Church in Milton, MA back in 2017.
This is a pagan holiday that celebrates the fertility of springtime. Think May Pole, planting, bonfires. Plant a garden today… even if it’s only a virtual one. What would you plant if you could plant?
It’s also Mother Goose Day
Oh, no, another childhood myth dispelled! Mother Goose is NOT from Boston.
Born and raised in Massachusetts, I grew up thinking that the ‘real’ Mother Goose was Mary Goose of Boston ‘who had so many children, she didn’t know what to do.’ How surprised I was to learn that this was just an urban myth and a French author by the name of Charles Perrault is responsible.. Here’s the real story. Check out the Mother Goose Society (yes, there really is one!) to learn more about Mother Goose and celebrate her legacy.
And last, but not least, it’s Batman Day. This fictional superhero/crime-fighter created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger was published by DC Comics and made his first appearance in May 1939 in Detective Comics #27.
Here are some ways to celebrate:
Wear a cape and a mask and spend the day in your Batman costume. Everyone’s wearing a mask these days, no one would even notice…. BUT if you wear a cape, too.
Take a virtual ride to Gotham City
Watch any of the several Batman movies out there. Maybe you could combine it with a Batman themed ‘virtual’ costume party? Tell all your guests to Zoom in dressed as a Batman comics character.
A little trivia for you… Melbourne, Australia might have been called Batmania named after one of its founders, John Batman. According to some sources, for two years (from 1835 until 1837), the newly found settlement was actually referred to as ‘Batmania’ before changing to its current Melbourne.
May 2nd
Kentucky Derby Day
Traditionally held on the first Saturday in May, this year’s Kentucky Derby has, like so many other events, been rescheduled. Churchill Downs is marking the usual day of the Kentucky Derby with a "virtual race". While the actual race is postponed until September 5 (Labor Day Weekend), the track will be hosting a virtual Kentucky Derby race and nationwide at-home party to raise money for COVID-19 emergency relief efforts. Tune in to a special broadcast on NBC on Saturday, May 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. EDT and watch 13 past Triple Crown winners ‘Run For the Roses’ . So get out your most fabulous hat, round up the makings for mint juleps and get all the latest details about the party here! This sounds like fun and we’ll be celebrating right along with you.
May 3rd
World Laughter Day
Laughter is really the best medicine. According to several sources, laughing helps relax the body, boosts the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins, protects the heart, burns calories, diffuses anger, and possibly helps you live longer. So go ahead - watch a funny movie, tell a joke, hear a joke, watch some crazy pet antics, get crazy … belly laugh, giggle and snort, chuckle, snicker, LOL … enjoy today in the greatest way.
May 4th
Star Wars Day ... May the Fourth Be With You
The unofficial, fan-created day to celebrate Star Wars. Binge Watch all twelve episodes (that might be a bit much in one day) and may the force, I mean fourth, be with you. Or maybe just dress up like a wookie or get out your light saber and duel with your family.
May 5th
Cinco de Mayo
Originally to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, during which the guerilla troops of General Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza fought off Napoleon III’s troops during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867), Cinco de Mayo nowadays is a celebration of the Mexican culture, tradition and heritage. Eat Mexican tonight, drink Margaritas, swat a pinata, wear a sombrero, talk Spanish, take a siesta … the possibilities are endless. ¡Arriba! ¡Abajo! ¡Al centro! .... y pa'dentro. Salud!
May 6th
There are no real celebrations, but some interesting happenings in history on this date...
In 1626, Dutch colonist Peter Minuit organized the purchase of Manhattan Island from Native Americans for 60 guilders worth of goods. He definitely got his money’s worth.
Sigmund Freud was born on this date in 1856 and celebrates his 164th birthday today. I guess you could make a Freudian slip to celebrate.
The Hindenburg Disaster 1937 … not much to celebrate there
On a positive note, this is the beginning of National Nurse’s Week which culminates on May 12th, International Nurses Day which coincides with Florence Nightingale’s birthday. This year’s international theme is Nursing the World to Health. Is there a nurse you know that stands out? Plan in advance and buy a card, make a card, send a note or a text to thank him or her for their contributions, compassion and dedication especially in these times of pandemic. I’ll remind you again on the 12th, but start thinking ahead.
Well, there you have it. Another week to be thankful for during this wonderful, if somewhat ‘sheltered’ life we’re living at the moment. A reminder that there is always a reason to celebrate. I think we’ll be doing this throughout the month of May so stay tuned.