August 2018 Special Days
Scroll down the page or click on a date below to jump to ideas for that specific day of the month.
August 2018 Monthly Events
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Welcome to August Day – Welcome August by reading the August Monthly Gazette and Newsletter. Then go Searching for August and solve the Famous August Birthdays. Also, test your August IQ. Finally, play a game or two of August Bingo, which is available from the Shopping page.
If the first week in August is unusually warm, the coming winter will be snowy and long.
Clowning Around Day – August 1 marks the beginning of International Clown Week each year. Invite a local clown to visit the facility to perform and demonstrate how they put on their makeup. Ask how they got started in the business or for a short lesson on "clowning." Offer clown makeup for residents, volunteers, and staff to try. Make a clown bow tie or other clown props and set up a clown photo booth. Bring in red clown noses and encourage staff to wear them; these are practically guaranteed to bring on some laughs throughout the day. Also, try solving the Bring in the Clowns puzzles. Finally, visit our Discuss & Recall for a program titled "Clowning Around."
PT-109 Disaster 75th Anniversary – On this day in 1943, the naval ship PT-109 sank off the Solomon Islands after colliding with a Japanese destroyer at 2:30 a.m. The actions of Lt. John F. Kennedy made him a hero. However, some criticize Kennedy's actions immediately before the collision. Discuss today. Watch the film PT-109 today.
A Whale of a Tale Day – Today is the birth anniversary of Herman Melville. Visit this month's Who Am I? page and see if you can guess from the clues it's Herman Melville. Share excerpts from some of his works today. Or, see how many of his books you can list for a cognitive challenge. Show the 1956 movie Moby Dick, starring Gregory Peck, and discuss how it compares to the novel. Are you a book or movie lover (or both)?
William Clark Birth Anniversary – The explorer who accompanied Meriwether Lewis on an expedition through the Louisiana Territory was born on this day in 1770. Learn more about William Clark today. Make a list of explorers. Plan a Scavenger Hunt. Print pictures of animals that William and Clark encountered (prairie dog, grizzly bear, buffalo, coyote, mountain goat, fox, etc.) along their journey, and hide them around the community. Then give each player a list of animals to check off as they discover them.
Spidey Day – Can you guess which superhero made his comic book debut on this date in 1962? It was Spider-Man, the nerdy teenage superhero with radioactive spider powers. He is now a part of the popular Avengers movie franchise. Did you know that the first comic with Spider-Man sold for a whopping $1.1 million? If you have any old comic books lying around, share them today. Do you have any of these rare comic books? Have a discussion on this question: If you could have only one superpower, what would it be and why? When would it come in handy?
Jerry Garcia's Birth Anniversary – Born on this day in 1942, Jerome John Garcia went on to become a successful bluegrass and folk guitarist. Do you remember the name of his band? (The Grateful Dead) See this month's Who Am I? page for more about the legendary singer.
2nd
Take a Penny, Leave a Penny Day – The first Lincoln-head penny was issued on this day in 1909. Some people want to get rid of the penny. A penny for your thoughts—what do you think? Sort pennies by the year. How many different years do you have? Which is the oldest penny? Make penny rubbings by putting a coin under a sheet of thin paper and rubbing it with the side of a crayon or lead pencil. Ask a coin collector to visit. Design a Pitching Pennies Game where players try to toss pennies into a circle. Play the coin guessing game Spoof or Shove Ha'penny. Get some staff in on the fun and play the 'Minute to Win It' Penny Hose Game or Penny Towers (in which players have one minute to stack as many pennies as possible using only one hand).
Jack Warner's 150th Birth Anniversary – Producer and movie studio mogul Jack Warner was born on this day in Ontario, Canada in 1892. He and his brothers Harry, Albert, and Sam formed Warner Brothers Studio in 1923. The studio’s first big star was an animal––Rin Tin Tin. Watch Casablanca, which was one of the studio's most successful films. Warner Brothers Studio is considered one of the "big six" Hollywood film studios. Can you name the other five?
First Census Anniversary – On this day in 1790, the first census revealed that there were 3,929,214 citizens in the 16 states and the Ohio Territory. The U.S. has taken a census every 10 years since then. Do you know the results of the 2010 census? Ask people to guess and give a prize to the person coming closest. (Answer: There were 308.7 million people in the United States.) There has been a debate about the possible inclusion of a citizenship status question on the 2020 census. Discuss this news topic with your residents and encourage them to argue both sides of the debate. Also, what questions would they add?
Dead Man's Hand Day – Do you know why a hand of "aces and eights" in poker is considered the "dead man's hand"? On this day in 1876, Jack McCall shot and killed Wild Bill Hickok during a poker game as he was holding a pair of aces and eights in his hand. Aces and eights have been called the "dead man's hand" ever since. Play a modified version of Dead Man's Hand today. See if you can guess the meanings of these Western Phrases.
Wear Your Birthstone Day – In celebration of Gemstone Month. Can you name all the birthstones? Try Matching Birthstones. Share the history of birthstones. Discuss the Science and Legends of Birthstones. Try solving the Beautiful Birthstones matching puzzle. FYI: We also celebrate A Gem of a Day (Aug. 25) this month.
Ice Cream Sandwich Day – Always celebrated on August 2. Create your own ice cream sandwiches today. All you need is a variety of ice cream flavors and some cookies. Try chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies, and... well, you get the idea.
3rd Seeing Double Day – Twins Days begin today in Twinsburg, Ohio. According to Guinness World Records, this is the largest gathering of twins. Double up on everything today. Check out some interesting information about twins. Learn A Thing or Two About Twins and discuss. Then, talk about some famous twins. Watch the movie Twins. Also, see how many "twin" words you can list (twinkling, twinge, twine, twin-engine, etc.). Try solving the Double Take puzzle.
Ernie Pyle Birth Anniversary – The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist was born on this day in 1900. The war correspondent died while on assignment in the Pacific during World War II. Learn more about Ernie Pyle. Share some of his columns today. Show the film Story of GI Joe, which is based on Ernie Pyle's time in the army. Discuss these 100 famous journalists or discuss these journalism ethics problems. Discuss the SPJ code of ethics and whether you think journalism today does these things.
Domestic Diva's Birthday – Martha Stewart was born on this day in 1941. Watch her television show or read one of her magazines today. Also, can you solve theMartha Stewart Coded Message puzzle? Try one of Martha Stewart's seashell crafts, such as a seashell koala. Explore Martha's website and make a craft like personalized coasters or sun print pillows. Another possibility is to make her Plant Rubbings Calendar.
Happy Birthday, Tom Brady – The Patriots quarterback was born on this day in 1977. Learn more about Tom Brady. Practice passing a foam football during an exercise program today. Discuss your favorite football players during a men's program today. Invite everyone to wear a jersey or their team's colors. Serve some of these football-themed recipes. Try to solve the Matching Quarterbacks puzzle.
Tony Bennett Day – On this day in 1926, singer Tony Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Queens, New York. By 1965, he had 24 top 40 hits under his belt, including "Rags to Riches" (1953), "Stranger in Paradise" (1953), "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (1962), and "Fly Me to the Moon" (1965). Plan a birthday party for Tony and listen to some Bennett today. Make several large-print copies of the lyrics to "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "Fly Me to the Moon." Then cut out each line of the song, mix them up, and put them in a large envelope. Working in teams, put the lyrics back in order as quickly as you can.
Peachy Keen Day – It's Peach Month, which was first proclaimed by President Reagan in 1982. T.S. Eliot asked, "Do I dare to eat a peach?" Plan a "Peach Party" that's "peachy keen." Use peach-colored napkins and plates. Decorate with baskets of peaches. Ask guests to dress in peach-colored clothes. Make peach-shaped name badges that read "You are a real peach!" (This expression originated from the tradition of giving a peach to a person you considered a friend.) Serve Buttery Baked Peaches. Plan a ladies' spa program and do manicures and pedicures with peach nail polish, lipstick, and eyeshadow in preparation for the party. Treat everyone to a Just Peachy Facial for that "peaches and cream" complexion. Plant the pit of a peach, and maybe you'll even grow your own, thanks to this special day.
Watermelon Day – "When one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat." ~ Mark Twain. Serve watermelon today. Or how about some Peach Watermelon Bubbly with some Zesty Watermelon Salad and a Fruity Watermelon Pizza? Make a cute button watermelon during craft class. See if you can find someone who knows how to do the Watermelon Crawl line dance and ask them to demonstrate. Set up a watermelon bowling game using two-liter bottles as pins and a small watermelon as a ball. Stick slices of watermelon with popsicle sticks to make them easier to eat outside. See Melon Monday (Aug. 13) for more.
4th
Coast Guard Day – This annual holiday celebrates the founding of the Coast Guard in 1790. Originally called the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard continues to do important work today. Learn all about the history of this holiday. Grand Haven, Michigan, hosts a Coast Guard Festival each year on this date; check it out today.
Happy Birthday, Duchess of Sussex – Meghan Markle, former Suits and Horrible Bosses actress and now the wife of Prince Harry, turns 37 today. Watch one of her shows, learn more about British royal weddings, or reminisce about their May wedding today. For a cognitive exercise, see how many people with the initials M.M. you can name. It's a good day to discuss the royal family because it's also...
Queen "Mum" Day – Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was born on this day in 1900. She married the then Duke of York in 1923. She became queen when her husband was unexpectedly crowned King George VI in 1936 (after the abdication of Edward VIII). She won the undying gratitude of her subjects when she refused to move the royal family to the safety of the countryside during the German bombing of London in WWII. She died on March 30, 2002. Throw the Queen "Mum" an English tea birthday party. Discuss the British royal family tree. We also celebrate Afternoon Tea Week (Aug. 13).
Cutting the Mustard Day – Celebrated the first Saturday annually in August, which is National Mustard Month. Encourage everyone to wear mustard yellow today. Share some Mustard Facts, History, and Myths. Learn the origins of the phrase "cutting the mustard." Visit the Mustard Museum for some interesting trivia, recipes, and more. How about making your own Fancy Homemade Mustard? Have your cooking club make soft pretzels and do a mustard tasting. Do you prefer spicy or honey mustard? Can you name a kind of European oak tree using all the letters in the word mustard? (Durmast) Turn it into a contest for staff and residents. Award a bag of mustard pretzels to the winner.
"Well, Hello Dolly" Day – Jazz singer and musician Louis Armstrong was born on this day in 1901. In 1963, Armstrong scored a huge international hit with his version of "Hello Dolly." Learn more about Louis Armstrong, play some jazz music, and sing "Hello Dolly" today. Do you know what other songs Louis Armstrong wrote or recorded? Armstrong was famous for playing the trumpet. Make a list of other famous trumpet players today. Try writing a parody song to the tune of "Hello Dolly."
Chocolate Chip Cookie Day – Try one of these Ways to Eat Chocolate Chip Cookies today. For an intergenerational program, read the storybook If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
5th
Farmer's Market Week Begins – Celebrate farmers and their markets today. Begin by expressing your appreciation. Write a poem or make a card giving thanks for their efforts. Some suggestions for the card are: "Orange you glad you're appreciated?" or "We are berry thankful for you!" or "Lettuce show we appreciate you!" You get the idea! Support a local farm stand by picking up strawberries and zucchini. Take a trip to a local farmer's market or farm. Discuss the benefits of eating and buying local products.
Sisters' Day – Sisters' Day is celebrated annually on the first Sunday in August. Plan a "Sisters Are Special Social" for the ladies today. Ask everyone to bring in a picture of their sister today. Display photos for all to see. Print pictures of famous sisters (make sure to print each sister on her own sheet of paper) and label their names on the bottom of the page. Place pictures facedown on the table and play like a memory game. See who can match the most sets of sisters. Possible suggestions include Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine, Abigail Van Buren and Anne Landers, the Gabor sisters, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, the Brontë sisters, the Andrews sisters, etc. For additional fun, include the Dionne quintuplets! Then, read this Time magazine article about famous sisters.
International Friendship Day – International Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in August. Share some Friendship Quotes today. Make these Friendship Fold-Up Craft Stick Cards to give to your friends. Finally, sing such songs as "Thank You for Being a Friend" (Andrew Gold), "That's What Friends Are For" (Dionne Warwick), "You've Got a Friend" (James Taylor), "With a Little Help from My Friends" (The Beatles), and "You've Got a Friend in Me" (Randy Newman & Lyle Lovett). Play a "Friendship Game" similar to the Newlywed Game. Ask one friend a question about the other friend. If both friends share the same response, they get a point. Some possible questions could include: What's your favorite color, author, television show, dessert, etc.? Are you an early bird or night owl? Are you a dog lover or cat lover? Do you have a good sense of humor? Finally, show one of these friendship films.
Neil Armstrong Day – Today is the birth anniversary of Neil Armstrong, well-known for being the first man to walk on the moon. A Navy fighter pilot and aeronautical engineer, he became an astronaut after demonstrating tremendous piloting skills. Who can name the date on which he made his historic step? (July 20, 1969) Learn about more space milestones. See how many astronauts you can name while snacking on some astronaut ice cream. Throw an "Out of This World" party in honor of this great astronaut; here is some inspiration to get your creativity flowing. Pamper Yourself Day – Pamper your clients today with back rubs, manicures, and facials. Turn your large activity room into a spa. Use scented oils to give the room a calming aroma, make a foot soak area, and provide shoulder and back rubs. Ask residents how they relax. Make sure to do a meditation program today where you focus on breathing in positive energy and breathing out stress. We also celebrate National Relaxation Day (Aug. 15) and Spa Day (Aug. 30) his month.
Tutti-Frutti Hat Day – Singer/Actress Carmen Miranda died on this day in 1955. She was known as the "Brazilian Bombshell" and "the lady in the tutti-frutti hat." Make tutti-frutti hats in honor of this spirited singer.
6th
Bargain Hunting Week Begins – Bargain Hunting Week is celebrated the first Monday through the following Sunday in August every year. Learn how you can celebrate Bargain Hunting Week and go bargain hunting. Hand out a shopping list and lots of old magazines and newspapers. See who can come up with the most coupon savings. Then try to solve the What a "Deal" puzzle. FYI: We also celebrate Garage Sale Day (Aug. 11), and Thrift Shop Day (Aug. 17) this month.
Civic Day (Canada) – The first Monday in August is observed as Civic Day or Provincial Day in some Canadian provinces. Visit Canada Info for more. Test your Canada IQ with this Canada Quiz.
American Artists' Day – Celebrated on Andy Warhol's birth anniversary (1928). Learn about his life and his art. View one of his most famous paintings, Campbell Soup Cans. Bring in Campbell's soup cans and have everyone draw still-life drawings of soup cans.Solve the Matching Soup Cans puzzle.
Happy Birthday, Lucy – Lucille Ball was born on this date in 1911. Celebrate with a special party and call it a Lucille "Ball." Play the I Love Lucy theme song and share some I Love Lucy trivia. Share some Lucille Ball Quotes. You can still catch I Love Lucy reruns on television. Check your local listings for show times in your area. Nothing beats these classics for a half hour of laughter and delight. Lucy is known for her rubbery facial expressions. Can anyone in the group imitate her? Share some of her funny and not-so-funny quotes. Which ones do you find especially meaningful? Go to our Tech Corner page to watch the Finding Lucy documentary.
Wiggle Your Toes Day – In celebration of Foot Health Month. Put your best foot forward with a special health and wellness program. Visit the Foot Care-4-U site to learn more about "The Agony of De-Feet." Discuss healthy feet and good shoes. Read some poems about feet and share some Quotes to Celebrate Wiggle Your Toes Day. Play songs about feet or walking, such as Cab Calloway's "Happy Feet," Fats Domino's "I'm Walking," or Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'." Watch the movie Happy Feet today.
Savoy Hotel Anniversary – The Savoy Hotel opened in central London on this day in 1889. Richard D'Oyly Carte built the hotel with profits from the Gilbert & Sullivan operas at the Savoy Theatre. The high quality and elegance of the hotel attracted royalty and prominent guests. It was a favorite of Winston Churchill. Learn more about the Savoy. Listen to Benny Goodman's recording of "Stompin' at the Savoy."
A&W Root Beer Float Day – Stop at a local A&W Root Beer Restaurant today between 2 p.m. and closing for a free root beer float. Ask, "Did anyone ever make homemade root beer?" Read this article all about the history, the safrole controversy, and the folklore of root beer's healing prophesies. Based on the various information and controversy about sassafras, we do not recommend making your own at this time. See Black Cow Day (Aug. 19) for more.
7th
Carat Day – In celebration of Gemstone Month. Serve Carat (AKA Carrot) Cake today. In case you've wondered about the weight of a carat, check out this carat conversion chart to find its equivalences. Play a gemstone picture matching game. Paste two sets of gemstone pictures onto index cards. Then, play like the "Memory" game. Learn all about carats today. Read about the 4 C's of diamond buying.
Flexible Flyer Day – The Flexible Flyer was patented in 1889, but the name would not be trademark registered until August 7, 1906. See if your group can come up with different names for the well-known sled. Then share memories about Flexible Flyers today.
Twin Towers Tightrope Walk Anniversary On this day in 1974, Philippe Petit walked across a tightrope between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. The daredevil was charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct, but the charges were dropped in exchange for community service. Watch the documentary Man on Wire, which chronicles the dangerous feat. See our Men's Programs page for a learning discussion activity about the most sensational daredevils of the past century.
Purple Heart Anniversary – Following the Revolutionary War, George Washington wanted to honor soldiers for their courage during the conflict. So, he ordered the creation of the Badge of Military Merit (a cloth heart of purple color) on this day in 1782. The badge was reinstated on Washington's 200th birth anniversary, but its name was changed to the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is given to those who have been wounded or killed during combat. Share the history of the Purple Heart. If you know someone who received the Purple Heart, see if you can find them in the Purple Heart database. Did you know that Charles Bronson, Rod Serling, and Kurt Vonnegut all earned Purple Hearts? Discuss some of these other famous people who earned a purple heart. Consider doing a letter-writing drive to support our troops. (This is a U.S. site; you can write to Canadian troops here and Australian troops here.)
Home Run Record Day – On this day in 2007, Barry Bonds broke the Major League Baseball home run record when he drilled the ball over the right centerfield fence. The 756th home run surpassed Hank Aaron's record of 755. Bonds retired with 762 home runs. Barry Bonds and his legacy are marred with controversy because Bonds tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs between the years 2000 and 2003. Discuss the 10 Most Notorious Steroid Users in Sports History. Play a game of Wiffle ball today or see who can hit the Wiffle ball the farthest from the tee.
8th
Happiness Happens Day (formerly, Admit You're Happy Day) – The holiday is sponsored by the Secret Society of Happy People. Their website suggests that you celebrate the day by wearing your SILVER shades, donating your SILVER coins (take up a donation for your favorite charity), or passing out SILVER kisses. Why SILVER? Because happy people have a way of finding the SILVER lining in even the darkest clouds. The page also suggests everyone put a happy description in front of their name today—such as Chipper Charlie, Smiling Sarah, Cheerful Cindy, Radiant Rachel, etc. Another idea is to ask the group to cut out pictures from magazines that make them happy. Make collages or put them in a small photo album.
Let There Be Light at Wrigley Day – On this day in 1988, Wrigley Field lit up for the first time, and the Chicago Cubs hosted the first nighttime baseball game in the history of the stadium. Did they win that night? (No; the game was called due to rain.) In celebration of this event, bring in several battery- powered lanterns and do baseball trivia outdoors tonight.
We're Having a Ball (Magic 8-Ball)! Day – It is the eighth day of the eighth month. Don't get caught behind the eight ball. Make a Giant Magic 8-Ball. Plan eight activities today; play eight games of bingo where the number eight is "free"; play a game of Crazy Eights, serve eight kinds of cookies for snack time; and see who can come up with the longest list of words that include "eight." Did you know that the mother of the creator of the 8-Ball mother was a psychic? Invite a physic to your facility today.
Happy Birthday, Dustin Hoffman – Dustin Hoffman was born on this day in 1937. Show one of his movies today—such as Kramer vs. Kramer, Rain Man, or Tootsie (one of our favorites). Dustin Hoffman and actor Gene Hackman were very good friends. For more trivia on the actor, see this site.
"America's Mermaid" Day – Celebrated on the birthday of Esther Williams. This professional swimmer and actress was born on this day in 1921 in Los Angeles, California. In her honor, go for a swim and/or show one of her movies today. Incorporate swimming strokes into your exercise routine today.
Odie's 40th Birthday – Today commemorates the first appearance of Odie, Garfield's sidekick (1978). Take a Garfield Quiz today. Talk about other famous sidekicks today. Discuss other fictional dogs today.
9th PGA 72-Hole Championship Begins – It is the 100th PGA Championship, held at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. The final 72-hole tournament begins today. Watch the event on television and cheer for your favorite golfer. Try making golf club sandwiches (finger sandwiches with a golf tee to hold it together) and serve before the game. List as many famous golfers as you can. Discuss the history of the game today. Play a quick game of mini golf.
National Hobo Convention – Held since 1900, the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa, celebrates current and retired hobos and the independent lifestyle they lead. It's held this year from August 9–12. Events include the crowning of the Hobo King and Queen, storytelling, flea market, and even a parade. If you believe in an independent lifestyle, plan your own "Hobo Happening." Ask everyone to dress as a hobo today. Award prizes for best costume. Read Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hobo Sticks and the Hobos Who Tote Them. Then, plan a contest where players must "pack a handkerchief" of specific items that they then put on a hobo stick. The first team to hang the handkerchief on the stick wins. Sing the song "King of the Road" today. Do you know all the lyrics?
Book Lovers Day – A day for those who love to read, Book Lovers Day encourages you to kick back and relax with a great book. Here are 10 ways to celebrate. Plan a Book Lovers Party and ask everyone to dress as their favorite literary character. Decorate with books and serve foods mentioned in book titles, such as grapes (The Grapes of Wrath), chocolate (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), raisins (A Raisin in the Sun), etc. Scramble famous book titles and hand them out in envelopes for people to unscramble. Or discuss these 5 Hilariously Long Book Titles.
Vacation Memories Day – Summer vacation is almost over, and it's time to head back to school. A popular assignment on the first day of school is to ask students to write an essay about their summer vacation. Reminisce about favorite vacations. Bring in a map and mark where everyone has vacationed. View this list of Best Places to Travel in 2018. See who has visited places on the list. Come up with your own list. For a creative writing exercise, have your group write a short essay or poem about their favorite vacation memories. Check out our Travelogue page and take a vacation with our Front Porch Travelers every month. Come up with a list of everything you need to pack to go on a vacation to specific places (e.g., a day at the beach, camping in the mountains, going to the North Pole).
"Boop-Oop-A-Doop" Day – It's Betty Boop's birthday. She debuted in Max Fleisher's animated cartoon Dizzy Dishes on this day in 1930. Go to Betty Boop's official site and find out what's up. Betty even has her own Facebook page! Plan a "Betty Boop Party." Decorate with red and black balloons and streamers. Frost cupcakes with white and red frosting (using red dye). Purchase Betty Boop cupcake toppers for the final touch. Have a Betty Boop impersonation contest and see who can sing her "Boop- Oop-A-Doop” song.
Diesel Day – On this day in 1898, Rudolf Diesel received a patent for his internal combustion engine. Patent #608,845 would later be referred to as the Diesel engine. Learn about the advantages of Diesel engines. Compare the prices of diesel gasoline and regular gasoline. Discuss new engine designs that no longer require fossil fuels.
VEEP Day – On this day in 1974, Richard Nixon resigned and Gerald Ford became the president. This was the first time the new constitutional provisions for presidential succession took effect. Watch the HBO comedy series Veep (if appropriate) today. How many U.S. vice presidents can you name?
10th
"You're on Candid Camera" Day – On August 10, 1948, Candid Camera premiered on TV. Use a video camera and take candid shots of people. Show the video the following evening. They'll love it! Come up with pranks you would want to pull on people if you directed Candid Camera. Pull a prank on one of your activity staff members by telling the group to pretend that they have all fallen asleep three minutes into the activity. If you can, secretly videotape it. Encourage snoring.
Museum Day – It is the anniversary of the founding of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. (1846). Discuss what is on display at the Smithsonian or visit a museum today. Watch the 2009 movie Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Did you know that you can now visit famous museums and view famous art on Google Art?
Skip the Store Day – Today is Shop Online for Groceries Day. Skip the lines and hassle of the grocery store and order your foods online. It might help you to avoid those tempting impulse buys near the registers. Talk about the logic behind the arrangement of grocery stores. Choose a recipe to prepare together and then buy the ingredients online today.
Eddie Fisher Day – Singer and entertainer Eddie Fisher was born on this day in 1928. Do you remember "Oh! My Pa-Pa" or some of his other songs? Do you remember the scandal when Eddie Fisher left his wife, Debbie Reynolds, to marry Elizabeth Taylor? Eddie Fisher died in 2010. His daughter Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds died one day apart in December 2016.
World Lion Day – Today is a day to honor the "King of the Jungle," even though this animal doesn't live in the jungle. Learn more about World Lion Day. Have a "roaring" good time with some basic facts about the lion. Invite some local children in for a viewing of Born Free or Disney's The Lion King. Try making these cute lion note holders.
S'more Day – Make some S'more Brownies or try these S'more Recipes today. If you don't feel like cooking s'mores, purchase some Russell Stover S'mores Bars and serve them today. Try these yummy Marshmallow Swirl S'mores Bars.
11th
Elvis Week Begins – Fans from around the world visit Memphis every year to celebrate the King of Rock 'n' Roll at Graceland during Elvis Week. Try Elvis Presley's favorite sandwich. Encourage staff to participate in an Elvis look-a-like competition and have members of your group vote. Give prizes for "Hippest Hips" (hips that swing like Elvis), "Best Lip Curl," "Coolest Costume," "Most Gracious ‘Thank you, thank you very much' (impersonation)" and of course, a prize called "Sings Like the King."
Shooting Stars Days – Starting at mid to late evening tonight and tomorrow night, watch for the Perseid Meteor Shower. Look up in the sky and "wish upon a falling star." As many as 50–100 falling stars may be seen from late night until dawn. Discuss the constellations today. Hand out star stickers and paper. Hold up a large picture of the constellation to the group for 5–10 seconds, take it away, and see who can recreate it the closest. Give Brach's Milk Chocolate Stars to whoever makes the most accurate constellations.
National Garage Sale Day – Annually the second Saturday in August. Host a garage sale for your local community. Check out the Shopping Tips for National Garage Sale Day. Find a garage sale in your area by using this garage sale finder. Hand out copies of the Garage Sale crossword. We also celebrate Bargain Hunting Week (Aug. 6), and Thrift Shop Day (Aug. 17) this month.
Middle Children's Day – Celebrated the second Saturday in August. Take a survey to find out how many middle children are in your community (including staff). Discuss these 9 Middle Children Who Came Out on Top. Have a guessing game with the members of the group. Have everyone write in big letters what they are (birth order) on a sheet of construction paper. Let the group guess only child, eldest, youngest, or middle, and then ask the player to reveal their birth order. Then, read this article about what birth order says about your personality and what can disrupt that trend. Here is an article to discuss the "only children" as well.
Last of the Dog Days – The Dog Days are the hottest days of the year in the northern hemisphere. They usually fall between early July and early September, but The Old Farmer's Almanac lists the traditional timing of the Dog Days as the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11, coinciding with the ancient rising of the Dog Star, Sirius. Plan a dog visit and share pictures of dogs today. Pick up a set of Dog Days Bingo cards from the Shopping page. Try to solve the Matching Dogs puzzle. Play "Dog Days Hangman" with names of dog breeds and summer weather terms (heat wave, thunderstorm, flash flood, etc.). Or, see how many "dog" expressions you can list.
Kool-Aid Days Begin – Kool-Aid Days are celebrated today through August 13. Try making Kool-Aid Cookies today, and—if you're in Nebraska—head over to a Kool-Aid Days event near you. Did you know you could do watercolor painting with Kool-Aid? Plan a Kool-Aid art class and try it today. Plan a "Happy Hour" and serve one or all of these Kool-Aid cocktails. Have a Kool-Aid taste testing to see if people can guess the different flavors. Discuss the phrase "Drinking the Kool-Aid" and its origin.
Happy Birthday, Viola Davis – The Oscar award-winning actress Viola Davis celebrates her birthday today. Watch her in How to Get Away with Murder or Fences. Or, choose one of her many other movies or shows. She was the first African American actress to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Discuss the importance of diversity in Hollywood today.
American Graffiti 45th Movie Premiere – On this day in 1973, the teenage coming-of-age film American Graffiti opened in movie theaters in the United States. The film, directed and co-written by George Lucas, took place in California in the summer of 1962. The film jump-started the movie careers of Richard Dreyfuss and Harrison Ford. Check out the IMDB trivia page for some interesting information about the film. In celebration, share coming-of-age stories. Where were you in 1962?
12th
Wear Sunglasses on a Sunday Day – Have a "Sunglass Social" or "Sunglass Fashion Show" today. Plan a craft group to decorate sunglasses. Take a look at this page for some ideas. Discuss the history of sunglasses and the science of how they work. Then, play some sunglasses songs like "Sunglasses at Night" by Corey Hart or "Shades" by Dean Martin.
International Youth Day – Ask residents to come up with a way to acknowledge local youth and celebrate International Youth Day. Contact a local high school to see if you can sponsor a special award for an outstanding student.
World Elephant Day – Today is a special day to celebrate these gentle giants. Observe World Elephant Day by signing the pledge to protect elephants and their habitat. Consider adopting an elephant through the World Wildlife Fund. Have an elephant-themed party. Make these adorable Elephant Ride Centerpieces to decorate the tables.
I Got a Raise! Day – On this day in 1955, the U.S. minimum hourly wage was raised from 75 cents to $1.00. Ask your group, "Do you know the current national minimum wage in the United States?" ($7.25) Some states have a higher minimum wage. How does your state compare? Some people feel the minimum wage should be raised. What do you think? Visit a Dollar Store today.
Christy Mathewson Birth Anniversary – Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Christopher Mathewson was born on this day in 1880. Discuss his incredible career, including his unbreakable record from the 1905 World Series. What was the most memorable baseball game you ever watched? Discuss how baseball has changed since Christy Mathewson's day, and share this rule change timeline. What do you think of the changes? What rules would you bring back, or what additional changes would you make? Solve the Mixed-Up Baseball puzzle.
Vinyl Record Anniversary – Celebrated annually on the day that Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877. The day encourages celebrating music memories of vinyl records with family and friends and preserving this type of audio history. Listen to music on records today. Just for fun, make these vinyl record bowls or bookends. Check out these vinyl creations. Which is your favorite?
13th
Melon Monday – How many types of melons can you name? Check out these amazing melon sculptures. Get melons with different skin textures and make art with "melon rubbings." Or throw paint all over the melons and roll them to make some more abstract pieces. We also celebrate Watermelon Day (Aug. 3) this month.
Afternoon Tea Week – Beginning today and ending on August 19, celebrate Afternoon Tea Week. Since it's a whole week long, you will need seven activities. How about serving an elegant tea bar or iced tea bar, preparing scones, creating tea-stained paper, making a homemade tea bag holder, or making a teacup craft? Additionally, sing "I'm a Little Teapot" during an exercise class and make soothing tea soaps for gifts. Have another idea? Share it on our Forum so others can celebrate, too. Don Ho Day – Don Ho, Hawaiian musician and entertainer, was born on this day in 1930. Play some of his music today. Blow "Tiny Bubbles" and listen to the song. Play a game of ALOHA Bingo, which is available for purchase from our Shopping section? Bring in some Hawaiian leis and play a game of "Pass the Lei." Arrange seating in a circle and pass around a lei while playing Don Ho music. Randomly stop the music, and the person with the lei gets to keep it. Make your own leis today. Hire a Hawaiian dancer to come in and dance. Create a seated dance using hand and arm movements from traditional Hawaiian dance moves or make an exercise program using them. Throw a luau. Invite children in to enjoy the party for an intergenerational program and give everyone bubbles to blow at the party. Learn about the ukulele and try to learn a simple song on it. FYI: Hawaii became a state on August 21, 1959— even more reason to celebrate Hawaii this month.
Ben Hogan Day – Ben Hogan, considered one of the greatest golfers of all time, was born on this day in 1912. The PGA Championship begins on August 25, and Puttering Around Day (Aug. 23) is celebrated this month. Make some hole in one cupcakes today.
Southpaw Day – Every year, August 13 marks International Left-Handers Day. Bill Gates, Bob Dylan, Queen Elizabeth, and Prince William are all left-handers. Read this list of interesting left-handed people. And don't forget to celebrate your favorite left-handed actors/actresses today—like Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman, or Julia Roberts. Try to solve this Famous Left-Handers puzzle. Share 11 Little-Known Facts About Left-Handers. Ask everyone to eat a snack or perform another task using only their left hand—unless they are left-handed, and then they use only their right hand. Share this groaner: If two left-handed people have an argument, who is right?
A Suspenseful Day – Alfred Hitchcock was born on this day in 1899. Hitchcock loved to build stories around people's phobias. Discuss the top 100 phobias and the proper names of phobias. See if people can guess them before you give the answers. Show one of Hitchcock's suspense thrillers such as Rear Window, Dial M for Murder, Spellbound, or one of his other famous movies today. Hitchcock made cameo appearances in many of his films. Challenge viewers to find him in the movie that they watch. The Birds is another well-known Hitchcock film. Plan a The Birds-themed party. Serve bird-shaped cookies with black icing. Make crows from poster board using the templates found on this page. Attach the crows to a stick to use as a prop for a photo booth. Encourage everyone to dress up as characters from the film. Another idea is to watch the 2012 film Hitchcock and discover a different side of the Master of Suspense. Can they also guess the top 10? Have a conversation about what makes a good horror or mystery movie. Discuss other famous directors today. Do you agree with IMDB's Top 100 Directors of All Time?
Annie Oakley Day – Annie Oakley was born on this day in 1860. She developed an eye as a markswoman early as a child, becoming so proficient that she was able to pay off the mortgage on her family farm by selling the game she killed. She eventually joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1885 and was one of the star attractions for 17 years. Play a game of darts today. Show the musical Annie Get Your Gun as a tribute today.
14th
V-J Day – On this day in 1945, President Harry Truman announced that Japan had surrendered to the Allies, setting off celebrations across the United States. Discuss war memories today. Share the famous Time photo V-J Day in Times Square. Plan an art class and ask the group to try painting or drawing the famous photo. Share these re-creations of the famous photo today. Re-create the famous photo and take pictures. Post the pictures on the Activity Connection Facebook page for everyone to see.
Wiffle Ball Day – On this day in 1953, the first Wiffle Balls went on sale. David Mullany created the first Wiffle Ball in Fairfield, Connecticut, after seeing his 12-year-old son struggling to throw a curveball. He cut eight oblong slots into a plastic ball-shaped gift box made for the perfume company Coty, and the Wiffle Ball, an American institution, was born. Demonstrate how to throw a curveball or a slider pitch today. Play pitch and catch today, perhaps with Velcro Catch Balls. Or, make this Wiffle Ball Mobile.
Krishna Janmashtami – The Indian festival celebrating the birthday of Krishna is celebrated on different days throughout India. (FYI: Some celebrate the festival in September.) In some places, pots of money are placed on top of oiled poles, and boys dressed as Krishna try to scale the poles to get the money while onlookers squirt water at them. We don't suggest anything this extreme, but how about hiding some Monopoly money throughout the facility and challenging community members to find it? Award prizes based on how much money each participant finds (a candy bar for $20 and under, etc.) For more fun, try solving the India word search today. Or try your hand at the Mixed-Up Indian Food, Indian-Themed Movies, or Visiting India crossword puzzles.
A "Berry" Happy Birthday – Join us in wishing a happy birthday to Halle Berry. Visit our Movies & Stars page for more on the actress and try your hand at our Halle Berry word search puzzle.
Navajo Code Talkers Day – As declared by President Reagan, today is Navajo Code Talkers Day, a holiday dedicated to recognizing the contributions of Navajo Code Breakers during World War II. Learn more about Code Talking today.
GORP Day – An acronym for "good old raisins and peanuts," GORP is a camping trip essential. Mix a handful of peanuts, raisins, and M&M's (which are not in the purist version) together. Place in a sealed container until you are ready to eat. GORP might make a good snack during this month's Travelogue with Nell and Truman. Check out this list of 500 most commonly used acronyms. Learn how to make raisins with your group today. Then, make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Raisin Cookies or this coleslaw that has peanuts and raisins in it.
15th
National Relaxation Day – Celebrated annually on August 15. One way to relax is to use your imagination and let it take you away from the pressures of the day. Try an "Imagine That" relaxation exercise with your group today. Begin by suggesting some favorite places—such as a favorite room, favorite vacation spot, favorite restaurant, etc. Ask the group to close their eyes and picture themselves in the place being described. Ask them to use as many of their senses as possible. (Example: Pretend you are having a picnic beside a lake on a beautiful spring day. Can you hear the ducks flapping on the water, smell the lilacs in the air, taste the peanut butter sandwich, etc.?) At the end of the activity, ask everyone to share what they imagined. You might also show one of these relaxation videos and ask people how they feel after watching it. Another idea is to try the Progressive Relaxation exercises from our Health & Fitness page. See Pamper Yourself Day (Aug. 5) and Spa Day (Aug. 30) for more "relaxing" days.
Indian Independence Day – On this day in 1947, India gained its independence from the United Kingdom. See our Crafts page to make a paper cup garland for your entrance inspired by door décor known as a toran in India. Also, try making a Kumkum Box to hold change or small trinkets. Celebrate with these Chickpea Masala and Curried Chicken and Rice recipes. While you munch, try solving the India word search. How about learning more about India's favorite pastime? Visit this month's What Am I? page and see if you can guess from the clues that it's cricket. Play some Indian sitar music to set the scene. See our Music page for a program about sitar music. Finally, travel with the Front Porch Travelers to Mumbai, India.
French Cooking Day – Julia McWilliams (Child) was born on this day (1912) in Pasadena, California. Child attended the famous Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris and later studied privately with master chefs. She co-authored the critically acclaimed Mastering the Art of French Cooking and wrote many other books. Her television programs were equally successful. Julia Child's kitchen from her cooking show is displayed at the Smithsonian Institute. In celebration of her life, plan a French menu today, and be sure to include Julia Child's Quiche. Watch one of her cooking shows and the 2009 movie Julie & Julia today. Just for fun, see if you can name a kitchen item or utensil for every letter of the alphabet. What's one that begins with the letter Z? (zester)
Napoleon Bonaparte Day – The French emperor was born on the island of Corsica on this day in 1769. He was exiled twice and died while in exile the second time on the island of St. Helena. Napoleon is regarded as one of the greatest military leaders of all time. Discuss this list of the greatest military leaders in history. For a creative exercise, make a fake Facebook profile for Napoleon (if residents know about Facebook). What would make a good screen name? What kind of cover photo would he use? What would he list as his favorites? What do you think his statuses would be? Napoleon was known for his short stature. Discuss other people considered short who made a big impact in world history. Crisco Day – The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, introduced Crisco shortening on this day in 1911. Try one of these Crisco Recipes today. Learn more about the history of Crisco. Crisco isn't just for cooking; read these uses for Crisco.
Lemon Meringue Pie Day – Make Grandma's Lemon Meringue Pie today.
16th
Klondike Day – On this day in 1896, George Carmack and his wife Kate discovered gold in what is now known as Bonanza Creek, Yukon, which set off the Klondike Gold Rush. Show this short YouTube video about the Klondike Gold Rush. Many people journeyed through the Chilkoot Trail to get to the Klondike area. Learn more about that difficult journey. Serve Klondike Bars. Lead a "finish the line" exercise with some of these gold sayings and song titles. Plan a "Searching for Gold" activity. Cut out pictures of gold nuggets and hide them around your facility. Hand out Hershey's Nuggets chocolates for prizes.
Happy Birthday, Julie Newmar – The actress turns 85 today. Known for her roles in Batman and Li'l Abner, she made her acting debut (uncredited) in the 1952 Bing Crosby musical Just for You. Show one of her movies today. She played the original Catwoman on the Batman television series with Adam West. Watch an episode or two today.
Joe Miller Joke Day – A day to tell a joke in honor of the English comic actor Joseph (or Josias) Miller, who was born in 1684 (exact date unknown). Miller acted at the Drury Lane Theatre in London, England, and was a popular favorite. He died in London on August 16, 1738. A book with which Miller had no direct connection, Joe Miller's Jests, was compiled by John Mottley. When first published in 1739, the book included 247 jokes. It was revised and expanded hundreds of times to include more than 1,500 jokes. In honor of Joe Miller, make a joke journal and ask everyone to contribute to the joke journal. Leave the joke journal in the lobby for everyone to read. Here's one joke to get you started:
I asked my daughter if she'd seen my newspaper. She told me that newspapers are old school. She said, "people use tablets nowadays" and handed me her iPad. The fly didn’t stand a chance.
Happy Birthday, Kathie Lee – The television personality, singer, and author celebrates her birthday today. Learn more about Kathie Lee Gifford. For example, do you remember who her husband was? (Football player Frank Gifford). Remember Frank Gifford today. If you can, catch the Today Show while she is hosting, or share one of her books with visiting children today.
Gone Too Soon Day – One of America's most famous singers, Elvis Presley, died on this day in 1977 at age 42. Also, baseball fans of all ages mourned when the great "Bambino" died of cancer on this day in 1948 at the age of 53. Celebrate both men today. Have an Elvis Presley sing-along. Read this Newsday article about 75 things you may not know about Elvis Presley. Go to our Tech Corner page for a link to a Babe Ruth documentary and more ideas.
First British Empire Games Anniversary – Hamilton, Ontario, was the setting of the first British Empire Games, which were held on this day in 1930. Athletes from the following nations participated: Australia, Bermuda, Guyana, Canada, England, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales. The sports included boxing, athletics, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming, diving, and wrestling. The sporting event is now known as the Commonwealth Games. Share the story behind the Commonwealth Games. Plan a sporting competition. Feature various summer games like horseshoes, bocce ball, lawn darts, and seated volleyball. Hand out some sports puzzles, such as the Boxing Match and Sport Categories. Watch this fun 15-minute video about the games that came out in 1950. Do an exercise program where you do a seated version acting out all the different games.
Happy Birthday, Madonna – Madonna turns 60 today. How much do you know about her? Dress like your favorite version of Madonna today and watch Evita.
17th
Fan Friday – Celebrated the third Friday of Beat the Heat Month. Plan a "fan-tastic day" with other "fan- tastic activities." Do you know the Language of Fans? Check out the fans at the Hand Fan Museum. If people are interested in fan dancing, watch this YouTube video of a Korean Fan Dance. Finally, try making FANtastic Faces.
Men's Grooming Day – Participating salons and barbershops host a day of grooming events for men. Celebrated annually on the third Friday in August, the event is sponsored by American Crew, a leading maker of men's grooming products. Review The Most Popular Men's Hairstyles From Each Decade and discuss. See this month's Read & Write for a short story titled "The Benevolent Barber." Do you remember Burma-Shave? Read some Burma-Shave slogans and the history of Burma-Shave signs.
Thrift Shop Day – Plan a "Thrift Shop Style Show." Ask clients to volunteer to be models. Take them to a local Salvation Army store and ask them to choose an outfit. Then, plan your luncheon and fashion show. Be sure to invite families. We also celebrate Bargain Hunting Week (Aug. 6–11) and Garage Sale Day (Aug. 11) this month.
Baby Boomers Recognition Day – Today is Baby Boomers Recognition Day (some sources list June 21 as the date). Baby Boomers are those people born between 1946 and 1964. In celebration of Boomers Making a Difference Month, recognize Baby Boomers that have made a difference. Post a picture and include a short biography about the person and their contributions on a bulletin board or include in the facility newsletter. For fun, type up a list of famous people—some Baby Boomers and some not. See if your group can identify all of the Baby Boomers in the list. Did you know we have a new Jeopardy-style trivia that is geared to the Baby Boomer generation? Check out Modern Jeopardy Trivia today. Share 15 Baby Boomer Generation Fast Facts and Things Only a Baby Boomer Will Remember. (FYI: First Baby Boomer Day is celebrated in January, and Boomer Bonus Day is in April.)
Mae West Day – Comedienne, sex symbol, and actress Mae West was born as Mary Jane West, in Brooklyn, New York, on this day in 1893. She started on Vaudeville at the age of 14 and then found success both on Broadway and in film. Her sassy quotations are probably better known than her films. Read some of her famous quotes today. Do your best Mae West impersonation with "Why don't you come on up sometime and see me?" This line is often misquoted as "Why don't you come up and see me sometime?" If you can find them, watch one of her more successful films such as I'm No Angel, She Done Him Wrong, or My Little Chickadee. Although Mae West didn't drink cocktails, there is a cocktail named after her. If you are having a happy hour today, serve a Mae West Martini.
Robert DeNiro Day – The Oscar-winning actor was born in New York City on this day in 1943. Learn more about DeNiro. Try solving the Robert DeNiro word search. Watch this video, Robert DeNiro's Top Ten Rules for Success, and then discuss. Name other famous people named Robert.
Keep Your Cool Day – It is Beat the Heat Month. Plan some "cool" activities today. Serve Kool-Aid and Cool Whip. How about Kool-Aid Cookies and Strawberry Cool Whip Angel Food Cake? Remember the film Cool Hand Luke? Watch it today. Play a game of charades using this list of "cool" expressions.
18th
World Honey Bee Day – Celebrated the third Saturday in August. Here are 15 Interesting Facts About Honey Bees. Play a game of HONEY Bingo. Try to solve the Honeycomb Puzzle and have a spelling bee contest. See how many bee idioms you can list and watch the Bee Movie. Did you know you can support the honey bee population by offering to have a hive on your property? For more information, check out this page. Have you seen our A.C. Buzzworthy cartoons? Check them out today.
Women Can Vote Day – The 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on this day in 1920. It gave women the right to vote. What took them so long?! Discuss the article "14 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men." Do you agree? Celebrate the occasion by playing “Giving Women Their Place in History" or having the women vote on what activities to do today. See Women's Equality Day (Aug. 26) for more ideas.
Virginia Dare Day – Virginia Dare was the first child of English parentage to be born in the Americas. She was born on this day in 1587. Dare was the first child of parents Eleanor and Ananias Dare. She was named "Virginia" because she was the first baby born in the Virginia colony. It is not known what happened to Virginia Dare and the other Roanoke colonists. They disappeared sometime between 1587–1591. Read more about Virginia Dare and the "Lost Colony." What do you think happened to them?
Hippie Day – Celebrated on the Saturday nearest to the original Woodstock weekend (August 15–17). Celebrate the tie-dye culture of the '60s today. Since it is Kool-Aid Month, try one of these Kool-Aid Tie Dye Recipes. Plan a '60s social. Decorate with peace signs, lava lamps, yellow smiley faces, and tie- dyed tablecloths. Serve cupcakes decorated with peace signs or smiley faces. Play this '60s playlist from Spotify. Share some 1960s trivia or gather a list of significant 1960s events and see if the group can put them in chronological order.
Bad Poetry Day – Write some bad poems and have a laugh today. Discuss what makes a good poem— is it the rhyme scheme, the imagery, or the rhythm? Is it something else entirely? Whatever the secret is, make sure your poems today are just the opposite—experiment with non-rhyming, silly, or nonsensical verses. Award a prize to the Poorest Poets among you.
Patrick Swayze's Birth Anniversary – Born in Houston, Texas, in 1952, Patrick Swayze had a series of successful films in the 1980s, but he's best known for his roles in Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Do you remember the final dance scene in Dirty Dancing? Check out this video of an eight-year-old mimicking Patrick Swayze's dance moves. It's pretty remarkable. Swayze died from pancreatic cancer in 2009. Plan a craft or bake sale and donate proceeds to the American Cancer Society today.
19th
Palindromic Day – A palindrome is a word or phrase that is spelled the same forward and backward. Madam is an example of a palindromic word. "Madam, I'm Adam" is a palindromic phrase. "Was it a car or a cat I saw?" is another palindromic phrase. There are also palindromic numbers—like 16461. Challenge your group to come up with a list of palindromic words (noon, eye, peep, etc.), phrases, and numbers today. Then try to list a palindrome for every letter of the alphabet. Finally, try to figure out this Spelling Palindrome puzzle.
World Photo Day – A global event benefitting the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, World Photo Day encourages social change and awareness through the sharing of photographs across the globe. Hand out disposable cameras today and ask residents to snap photos around the facility. These could be landscapes, portraits, or macro shots. Print out and display the photos in a main hallway or recreation room. For another option, share one of these photos and ask participants to write a short poem or story inspired by the photo. How do you think photography can impact us?
Ogden Nash Day – Frederic Ogden Nash was born on this day in 1902. He was an American poet best known for writing pithy and funny light verse. "Children aren't happy with nothing to ignore, and that's what parents were created for." Share some of his works today. Solve the Ogden Nash puzzle. Play "A to Z" poets and see if you can name a poet for every letter of the alphabet.
Condensed Milk Patent Anniversary – Gail Borden received a patent for "producing concentrated milk in vacuo" on this day in 1856. Condensed milk changed the dairy industry. It could be stored without refrigeration and could be transported great distances. Read the Canned Milk History today. Make a condensed milk dessert using one of these recipes.
Aviation Day – It's Orville Wright's birth anniversary (1871–1948). Do something that is just "plane" fun today, like making paper airplanes. Buy some balsa-wood glider planes, decorate them, and have a flying competition. Read the latest book about The Wright Brothers by esteemed writer David McCullough. Make candy airplanes to hand out today.
Coco Chanel Day – One of the most important fashion designers of the 20th century was born on this day in 1883. Gabrielle Chanel started a fashion revolution when she began using men's fashions (pants) for women's wear. She popularized the "little black dress" and sportswear for women. She was the first fashion designer to put her name on a bottle of perfume, Chanel No. 5. Do you remember Marilyn Monroe's famous plug for the perfume? During an interview, the actress was asked what she wore to bed, and Marilyn replied, "Chanel Number 5." Discuss women's fashions and how they have changed over the years. Black Cow Day – Frank J. Wisner, owner of Cripple Creek Brewing, served the first Black Cow root beer float in Cripple Creek, Colorado, on this day in 1893 (125 years ago). Inspired by the moonlit view of the snow-capped Cow Mountain (which reminded him of vanilla ice cream floating on top of the pitch-black mountain), he added a scoop of ice cream to his root beer and began serving it as the Black Cow Mountain. Kids loved it and shortened the name to Black Cow. Make one today. Slowly pour root beer over two scoops of ice cream. Garnish with whipped cream and a cherry. Yummy! For a sugar-free drink, serve this Black Cow Beverage. (FYI: National Black Cow Day is celebrated on June 10).
20th
Lemonade's Birthday – On this date in 1630, a variety of lemonade was invented in Paris, France. Plan a "Pucker Up Punch Hour." Serve Lemonade Sweeties. Make these cute citrus coasters that can be made with thread and needle or glue. Check out the online Lemonade Stand Game. Also, play a game of LEMON Bingo from the Shopping page. Share some great lemon facts and trivia from Lemonography. Since lemonade is a three-syllable word, make a list of other three-syllable words while you are enjoying some lemonade today. For an extra challenge, list a three-syllable word for every letter of the alphabet. FYI: We also celebrate Lemon Meringue Pie Day (Aug. 15).
People's Poet Day – Edgar Guest, the "people's poet," was born on this day in 1881. Guest's "poem a day" appeared in over 250 newspapers. With a poem in print every day for 30 years, Guest's poems reached a wide and admiring audience. At the suggestion of readers, Guest compiled his nearly 15,000 poems into books, 20 books in all. Read some of his poetry today. Bring in plain white t-shirts and make "Poet-T's." Use markers and fabric paints to write lines from favorite poems. Pick one day (Poet-T day) for everyone to wear their t-shirt.
"Rock Around the Clock" Day – On this day in 1955, Bill Haley and His Comets' "Rock Around The Clock" was at the top of the Billboard charts. Rock around the clock today. Plan a '50s-theme day. Dress in '50s fashions, Serve root beer floats. Hand out copies of the '50s Slang puzzle. Play a Rock 'n' Roll Dice Game. Pick up a set of our ROCK'N Bingo cards from the Shopping page and play a game.
Happy Birthday, Connie Chung – American news anchor and journalist Connie Chung was born on this day in 1946. She has been married to talk show host Maury Povich since 1984. Read some Connie Chung trivia today. Start a current events program. Include news about your community and news that staff and residents are willing to share, such as new grandchildren, etc.
Chocolate Pecan Pie Day – Here's a yummy recipe from Pillsbury. While you are enjoying some pie, see how many words you can make with the letters in "Chocolate Pecan Pie." Also, discuss the health benefits of semi-sweet chocolate chips and pecans, which are used in the recipe.
Snow White Day – Since yesterday was Black Cow Day, make today Snow White Day. What is a Snow White? (It is a 7-Up and vanilla ice cream float.) For an intergenerational program, invite small children in to watch the Disney animated film Snow White, and then serve the floats.
21st
Cupcake Day in Australia – Cupcake Day is celebrated the third Monday in August, with proceeds going to support RSPCA and their work with rescuing animals. Bake some cupcakes and help out this year. Check out this site for a variety of cupcake recipes.
National Senior Citizens Day – President Ronald Reagan declared August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day in 1988. Have a ceremony for your seniors and read the proclamation today. Invite seniors from a local facility or senior center for a day of friendly competition. Sing karaoke, play corn hole, and play word games, including Senior Citizens Mining. An alternative idea is to have them put on the skit "The Great Camping Adventure" from this month's Drama Club page.
Happy 80th Birthday, Kenny Rogers – American music legend Kenny Rogers was born in Houston, Texas, on this day in 1938. His music career has spanned more than 50 years, and he is still performing. Play his iconic song "The Gambler." Identify words associated with poker while listening to the song.
American Bar Association Anniversary – On this day in 1878, a group of 75 lawyers formed the American Bar Association in Saratoga Springs, New York. Invite a lawyer from the community in for a discussion. Share this history of the ABA. The bar examination is very challenging; many people do not pass it on the first attempt. Try to answer some of these sample test questions from the bar exam and see how you fare. Do a finish-the-line exercise with movie titles from this list of the top 25 legal movies.
Mona Lisa Missing Anniversary – On this day in 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen off the walls of the Louvre in Paris, France. An Italian criminal claimed he had wanted to return the famous painting to Leonardo da Vinci's native country. It was recovered in December of 1913. Read more about the dramatic story today. Share seven interesting facts about the Mona Lisa. Watch a film that is centered around stolen art, such as The Monuments Men or The Thomas Crown Affair. Hand out copies of the Leonardo da Vinci word mining puzzle. Plan an art program and try the art project from our Art page.
Poet's Day – A day for all poets to celebrate their talents. Read some poetry today or try writing poems. FYI: Other days to celebrate poets this month include Alfred Lord Tennyson's birth anniversary (Aug. 6), Ogden Nash Day (Aug. 19), People Poet's Day (Aug. 20), and Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.'s birth anniversary (Aug. 29).
Wilt Chamberlain's Birthday – Wilt Chamberlain was born on this day in 1936. How much do you know about him? Did you know he still owns the record for most points scored in a game (100)? No one has come close to breaking that record. In celebration of Wilt Chamberlain, name 100 things associated with basketball (NBA teams, players, terms, etc.)
22nd
Sunflower Day – August is sunflower month, so learn about the sunflower today. Make an Impasto Sunflower painting. Hand out copies of theSunflower word search and make these adorable Sunflower Cookie Cups.
Be an Angel Day – A day to do one small act of service for someone. Ask everyone to do something nice for someone today. Try making some of these angel crafts. Show Angels in the Endzone, Angels in the Outfield, Heaven Sent, or The Littlest Angel. Serve Angel Food Cake.
Match Maker Day – Ezra Butler Eddy (1827–1906) was the "Match Maker of the World" (not the dating service type). Born in Vermont on August 22, he moved to Hull, Quebec, to begin producing wooden friction matches with discarded wood from nearby sawmills. His company eventually expanded into other wood and paper products. The Eddy Match Company is still a major manufacturer of matches. Play a matching game (such as Concentration) today. Visit the Matchbook Museum site to view a variety of matchbook covers.
Cadillac's Birthday – The Cadillac Company was "born" on this date in 1902. It was named after the 18th-century French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, founder of the city of Detroit. The company would come to be known as the maker of America's luxury car. Learn more about the Cadillac. Do you know how much a Cadillac costs today?
Debussy Day – Composer Claude Debussy was born on this day in 1862. Listen to "This Is Debussy" from Spotify or "The Best of Debussy" from YouTube. It's also a good day for a classical music quiz.
Dorothy Parker 125th Birth Anniversary – On this day in 1893, the acclaimed writer Dorothy Parker was born. Parker was a member of the Algonquin Round Table. Learn more about the elite literary group and her life today. She was known for her wit. Discuss some of her best quotes.
"Catch of the Day" Day – August is National Catfish Month. Have you tried catfish? Serve catfish and discuss Catfish Facts this month. Check out The Catfish Institute for recipes and more. In the southern United States, noodling (catching catfish with bare hands) is sometimes practiced. Learn more about this unusual way to catch catfish. Share the 10 Biggest Catfish World Records and discuss. FYI: National Catfish Day is celebrated on June 25.
23rd Health Unit Coordinators Day – Health Unit Coordinators Day is sponsored by the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators. Do something special for your unit coordinators today, such as hosting a "You Are Tea-riffic Tea."
Virgo, the Virgin – Those born under this zodiac sign (from August 23 until September 22) are said to be loyal, kind, and practical. Learn more about Virgos today. It may interest you to read this list of famous Virgos. How many names do you recognize?
Happy Birthday, Kobe Bryant – The former basketball player celebrates his birthday today. Learn more about Kobe Bryant. Practice some shooting and dribbling drills during an exercise class today. If there is a basketball game playing today, tune in and watch it. Since Kobe Bryant is from Philadelphia, serve some Philly classics such as cheesesteaks and soft pretzels and try our AC Videos—Philadelphia: Then & Now Parts 1 and 2.
Unveiling of Little Mermaid Statue – On this day in 1913, the statue of The Little Mermaid was revealed in Copenhagen, Denmark. The statue was a gift to Copenhagen and remains a symbol of the city to this day. The Little Mermaid was the title character of the fairy tale by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. Reminisce about fairy tales today. For an intergenerational activity, invite local children in to watch the Walt Disney version of The Little Mermaid. The adults could watch Splash. Show pictures of famous statues and ask participants to identify the statue or its location.
"Singin' in the Rain" Day – Gene Kelly was born on this day in 1912. Coincidentally, Donald O'Connor, Gene Kelly's sidekick in Singin' in the Rain, was also born this month (August 28, 1925). Did you know Gene Kelly had a 103-degree fever when he filmed the famous dance scene in Singin' in the Rain? Learn more about it. Take the Gene Kelly Trivia quiz today. Gene Kelly was known for his celebrity parties. Charades was frequently played during his parties. Play charades using titles of Gene Kelly films.
Sponge Cake Day – Learn the history of sponge cake. Make a Traditional Sponge Cake or an Italian Sponge Cake with just three ingredients.
24th
World Daffodil Day – Celebrated the last Friday in August, World Daffodil Day draws attention to the importance of cancer research, prevention, and support. It's a good day to read and discuss the poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud." For fun, try finding the Matching Daffodils.
Wayzgoose Day – Make a sign that says "It's Wayzgoose Day!" and post it on your bulletin board. You will have everyone wondering what the heck is Wayzgoose Day.
Strange Music Day – Strange Music Day was started by Patrick Grant, a Julliard graduate and professional musician. Try making your own musical instruments with such items as pie tins, wooden spoons, and empty cans filled with beans. Then, make your own "strange music." Play the instruments during your exercise class.
Weather Quotation Day – On this day in 1897, Charles Dudley Warner, newspaper editor for the Hartford Courant, published this now famous and oft-quoted sentence: "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it." The quote is often mistakenly attributed to his friend and colleague Mark Twain. Share these Weather Quotes and Sayings. Keep track of the weather with our Daily Weather Sign. If you have an outdoor event planned today, check out the RAINAWARE app to see if rain is expected. Type in the location of your event and check the Rain Clock for rain updates.
If the 24th of August be fair and clear, then hope for a prosperous autumn that year. ~ English proverb
Happy Birthday, Potato Chips – According to the Snack Food Association, Chef George Crum prepared the first potato chips at the Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga, New York, on this day in 1853. Potato chips were "born" when a diner returned his fried potatoes twice, complaining that they were not sliced thin enough and were too soggy. Crum sliced the next batch of potatoes wafer thin, fried them so crisp that they could not eat be eaten with a fork, and added extra salt. What do you think about these Unusual Potato Chip Flavors from Around the World? Serve potato chips today. Plan a potato chip taste test. Bring in Lay's, Pringles, and Ruffles potato chips and see if people can tell identify the brand from the taste. FYI: Potato Chip Day is celebrated in March.
Pluto's Planetary Demotion – On this day in 2006, astronomers officially decided that Pluto was a dwarf planet. Many people were surprised or even upset at this event. Do you remember hearing the news? What do you think about it? The mnemonic device many of us learned to remember the planets was "My very excellent mother just sent us nine pizzas" (or similar variations). Challenge your group to create a new one that does not include the letter p, since Pluto is no longer one of the planets.
25th
Anniversary of the National Park Service – President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service on this day in 1916. Try solving the National Parks Quiz today. Share these Fun Facts about U.S. National Parks. Take a Walk in the Park today.
A Gem of a Day – Invite a gemologist to visit and talk about different gemstones. Share some Gem Trivia and Mythology. Hand out copies of the Mixed-Up Gemstones puzzle to solve today. Do you know the difference between a stone and a rock?
Sean Connery Birthday – This actor, known for the James Bond franchise as well as The Hunt for Red October and many other films, turns 88 today. How many of the actors who played James Bond can you name? What do you think about the idea of a female James Bond? See who can make the best Sean Connery impression today.
First Person to Swim English Channel Day – Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to swim across the English Channel without the use of artificial aids on this day in 1875. It was his second attempt, and he did it in 21 hours and 45 minutes. Several others have accomplished this amazing feat, including Gertrude Ederle on Aug. 6, 1926. Review the list of successful English Channel swimmers. Discuss the attraction of swimming across the Channel.
TV Game Show Hosts Day – Monty Hall, former game show host of Let's Make a Deal was born on this day in 1921. Regis Philbin of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? fame was also born on this day in 1931. How many TV game show hosts (past and present) can you name? Have you ever heard of the Monty Hall Paradox? Talk about it today. In honor of the game show hosts, play Jeopardy! using our Jeopardy- style Trivia.
Wizard of Oz Day – The Wizard of Oz debuted in Hollywood on August 15 and opened nationally on this date in 1939. Nominated for six Academy Awards, it won two—Best Original Music Score and Best Song for "Over the Rainbow." Watch the movie and sing the song. Share these interesting facts about the MGM classic. Play a game of hangman and use characters, quotes, and song titles from the film today. Finally, throw a "Yellow Brick Road Party." Tape yellow rectangular pieces of paper to the floor leading up to the party room to resemble the yellow brick road. Ask everyone to dress up as characters from the film. Serve some of these Wizard of Oz-inspired recipes.
Whiskey Sour Day – Learn more about the history of the whiskey sour. Celebrate with this cocktail made from a sweet-and-sour mix and bourbon whiskey.
26th
World Water Week Begins (Aug. 26–Aug. 31) – The theme for the 2018 World Water Week is "Water, ecosystems and human development." Read and talk about these 20 Interesting and Useful Water Facts. Then try one of these water experiments.
Women's Equality Day – In 1971, at the behest of Representative Bella Abzug (D-New York), the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as Women's Equality Day. The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Encourage the women in your community to wear the women's suffrage colors (white and purple) today. Check out the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute today. Plan a "Women's afternoon." Let the ladies vote on what they want to do. Discuss what it must have been like to vote for the first time. FYI: The 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920. Full Sturgeon Moon – There will be a full moon tonight. The full moon in August is known as the sturgeon moon. Some sources say it is named this because sturgeon fish are readily caught during this month. If you were to rename the full moon, what would you call it? Can you answer these moon questions or these questions?
National Dog Day – Every dog has its day, especially on National Dog Day. Here are Ways to Celebrate National Dog Day. Plan lots of "doggone" good activities. Make some chew toys from t-shirts and dog treats using this recipe and give to visiting dogs or donate to a local dog shelter. Hand out copies of the Gone to the Dogs crossword puzzle. Show some movies such as A Dog's Purpose, Marley and Me, Best in Show, Beethoven, and Lady and the Tramp.
Make Your Own Luck Day – Decide what you want and go for it! Discuss 7 Ways to Make Your Own Good Luck and How to Make Your Own Good Luck. Start by playing with LUCKY Bingo Cards (from our Shopping page).
27th
US Open Tennis Championships – The US Open begins today in Flushing Meadows, New York. Check your local television listings for the time and channel. Plan a tennis-themed day. Hand out the Mixed-Up Tennis puzzle and the Tennis Match puzzle. Throw a Tennis, Anyone? party. Decorate with yellow and green; serve Gatorade or another sports drink. Serve tennis ball cookies or cupcakes (frost with green-yellow icing and pipe a curved design with white icing to look like tennis balls.)
King of the Jungle Day – On this date in 1912, the first Tarzan story (written by Edgar Rice Burroughs) appeared in a magazine. Plan a "Tarzan and Jane Party." Use a jungle decorating theme. Make tree vines from twisted brown paper and leaf fronds using this pattern. Serve bananas, coconut, and pineapple. Have a "Tarzan Calling Contest."
Just Because Day – You don't need a reason to give someone a gift or to try something new. If you do need a reason, then today is for you. So have fun today, "just because" you want to.
Sailing Solo Around-the-World Day – On this day in 1966, Sir Francis Charles Chichester set sail from Plymouth, England, in his 53-foot sailboat Gypsy Moth IV. The British yachtsman would complete his around-the-world voyage on May 28, 1967. He was the first person to sail solo around the world with only one port of call. Take out a map and trace his clipper route today.
Banana Lovers Day – Celebrate Banana Lovers Day with Mini Banana Snack Muffins. Wash it down with Banana Cocoa Delight. Idea: Make a true or false quiz using these banana fun facts. Alter some of the statements to make them false.
28th
"I Have a Dream" Day – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial on this day in 1963. Read the famous speech, listen to the audio, or watch the speech on YouTube today. Learn about the story behind the speech. Plan a "Quotations Quiz" and include the "I have a dream" quote. Use this site to find famous quotations.
Happy 75th, Sweet Lou – Lou Piniella, former baseball player and manager, turns 75 today. Learn more about him today. Can you name all the teams he played on? Sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" today; serve peanuts, cracker jacks, and hot dogs while discussing your favorite ballplayers of all time.
College Colors Day – College Colors Day is celebrated around this time of year. Ask everyone to wear their school (high school or college) colors today or the colors of their favorite college sports team.
Bow Tie Day – Forget the funny looks you might get and wear a bow tie today. Have a contest for "best bow tie." Follow these steps and make a paper origami bow tie. Check out these bow tie world records, and serve bow tie macaroni for lunch or dinner. Also, discuss these facts about bow ties. Lemonade Lucy's Day – Lucy Ware Webb Hayes, the wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes, was born on August 28, 1831. She was a temperance advocate, and liquor was banned from the White House during this administration. She was affectionately nicknamed "Lemonade Lucy." It's a perfect day for a glass of lemonade. If you are looking for a new "twist" on the classic beverage, check out this page for some ideas. See Lemonade's Birthday (Aug. 20) for more.
Cherry Turnover Day – Here is a Quick Cherry Turnover Recipe. Make wrapping paper with a cherry pattern inspired by this Easy Wine Cork Cherry Craft.
29th
Wear White Wednesday – Soon it will be Labor Day and time to put away all those white clothes. Dress in white from head to toe today. It's a perfect day for a "White Out" party. Serve food that is white (popcorn, Monterey jack cheese and saltine crackers, powdered donuts, vanilla ice cream, white cake with vanilla frosting, marshmallows, etc.)
Happy Birthday, Elliott Gould – The actor famous for his role as Trapper John McIntyre on M*A*S*H is turning 80 today. Celebrate by watching one of his movies or shows. Did you know he was married to Barbra Streisand? Elliott Gould is now a proponent of living your best, fullest life as a senior. Invite residents to share their thoughts on how to do this. It might give you some inspiration for future activities.
"According to Hoyle" Day – On this day in 1742, English barrister and general know-it-all Edmond Hoyle published his Short Treatise on the Game of Whist, a tutorial on the card game that he sold to friends and clients. Shuffle up and deal the cards today. Pick up your copy of Hoyle's Rules of Games. Play a game of "Dead Man's Hand" according to our rules.
A Hallmark Day – Joyce C. Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards, was born on this day in 1891. Try writing your own greeting cards today. Visit our Birthday Kit page and make your own birthday cards. Idea: Ask staff and residents to donate used Hallmark cards and make mini jigsaw puzzles out of the front of the cards. (If you are cutting the card into 12 or more pieces, take a photo of the card before cutting it up.) Put the pieces of each card (and the photo) into a Ziploc bag. Ask people to put the card back together. For other ways to recycle used greeting cards, check out this page.
Happy Birth Anniversary, Ingrid Bergman – Actress Ingrid Bergman was born on this day in 1915. She is ranked as #4 on AFI's list of the top 50 female screen legends of all time. Do you agree or disagree with the ranking? Share some of the highlights of her career and some quotes. Watch Casablanca today. Solve the Ingrid Bergman puzzle.
Happy Birthday, Mary Poppins – Mary Poppins, the award-winning movie, premiered in New York City on this day in 1964. (It premiered in Los Angeles two days earlier on August 27.) Show the movie, sing songs from the movie, share some Mary Poppins Trivia, and see who can spell "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" today. As a tribute to the song "A Spoonful of Sugar," make chocolate spoons for your afternoon coffee. Watch the related movie Saving Mr. Banks.
30th
St. Rose of Lima Day – In Peru, today is a day to celebrate St. Rose of Lima, the first saint of the western hemisphere. She lived her life devoted to charity and helping the needy. Discuss her life today.
Shirley Booth Day – Actress Shirley Booth was born on this day in 1898. She won a Tony Award and an Oscar for her roles in the stage (1950) and film (1952) productions of Come Back, Little Sheba. She is probably best known for her title role in the television program Hazel (1961–1966), where she played the beloved maid of the Baxter family. What do you remember about the show? Since Shirley Booth won a Tony, Oscar, and an Emmy, make a list of others who have done the same.
First African American Space Traveler – On this day in 1983, Guion S. Bluford Jr. became the first African American to travel in space. The STS-8 mission was the third flight of the Challenger. This was the first mission to launch and land at night. Learn more about Guy Bluford. Take a space trivia quiz today. Splendid Splinter 100th Birth Anniversary – Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams was born on this day in 1918. Williams played his entire baseball career with the Boston Red Sox. Williams put his baseball career on hold twice to serve in both World War II and the Korean War. He was the last professional baseball player to bat over .400, having batted .406 in 1941. Do you think anyone will ever do this again? Schedule "batting practice" with a Wiffle ball and plastic bat. If you have the Wii game system, play a game of Wii baseball. Play "Two Truths and a Lie" baseball-style. Gather facts about baseball; change some of the facts into false statements. Read two true statements and one false statement and then ask participants to identify the false statement. Finally, discuss Ted Williams' connection to the famous red seat of Fenway Park.
Spa Day – August is Relaxation Month. What better way to relax than to spend a day at the spa? Plan a "Spa Day" for your clients. Select a quiet area for your "spa." Play relaxing background music. Burn some aromatic scents. (Lightbulb scent rings work well.) Serve cheese and crackers, fancy chocolates, and some "bubbly." Have hot hand towels available. Give facials, manicures, pedicures, shoulder rubs, and hand rubs. Sound relaxing? See Pamper Yourself Day (Aug. 5) and National Relaxation Day (Aug. 15) for other relaxing days.
Andy Roddick Day – Today is the birthday of tennis player Andy Roddick. Gifted at tennis from a young age, he was the winner of the 2003 U.S. Open in men's singles tennis. Practice some tennis swings during exercise class or play some table tennis today. Many schools use tennis balls on the legs of chairs to prevent them from scratching the floors. They are also used on the bottom of walkers to make them easier to navigate with. Collect tennis balls all month and donate them to a local school or to your community today. They are sure to appreciate it. Or, invite local children in to make this cute tennis racket craft.
31st
Remembering Princess Diana – Princess Diana died in a car accident in Paris, France, on this day in 1997. Reminisce about Diana and share this timeline of life events of the "People's Princess." Discuss some of her iconic fashions and also the influence she had on her sons. What do you think Diana would say about her daughters-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughter?
Eat Outside Day – It's the last day of August. With the days of warm weather dwindling, today is the perfect opportunity to take your breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack to the great outdoors to celebrate Eat Outside Day!
Itzhak Perlman's Birthday – Violinist Itzhak Perlman was born on this day in 1945. Despite a bout with polio at age four that left his legs paralyzed, he was a prodigy, and he made his U.S. television debut at age 13. Recognition of his gifts led to a highly successful career as an orchestral soloist and chamber music player, with scores of recordings. Play one of his recordings today.
Richard Gere Day – American actor Richard Gere was born on this day in 1949. Can you guess his middle name? (Richard Tiffany Gere) Show one of his movies today, such as An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, or Runaway Bride. Mix up the letters in his movie titles and play a game of scrambled words.
Arthur Godfrey Day – Arthur Godfrey was born on this day in 1903. He was a ukulele-playing TV and radio entertainer. Lipton Tea sponsored his TV show. Share some Arthur Godfrey trivia and plan a "Ukulele Tea Time" today. Since he frequently played the ukulele, plan a spelling bee and include the word ukulele.
Solar Car Day – On this day in 1955, William G. Cobb demonstrated the first solar-powered car. Discuss today's hybrid cars and the importance of energy efficiency. What do you think of electric vehicles? How about the Google driverless car?
Trail Mix Day – Trail mix is a combination of dried fruit, grains, nuts, and sometimes chocolate, combined as a snack food to be taken along on outdoor hikes. Try making the Perfect Trail Mix. Bring in some mason jars and the ingredients for trail mix. Make some trail mix in a jar to use as gifts. Plan a hiking contest and award the trail mix jars to winners. For additional fun, hand out copies of the Trail Categories puzzle.