Mrs. Lundell’s Computer Lab

The United States of America will be celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, 2009.  Americans should give credit to Sarah Hale for promoting Thanksgiving as a national holiday to President Lincoln.  President Lincoln wrote a Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1863 ( which can be read here http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Thanksgiving/lincolnproclam.html ).

Did you know that Congress made the fourth Thursday of November into a legal national holiday in 1941?

You can see a Thanksgiving food timeline here  http://www.foodtimeline.org/thanks.html .

I hope everyone has a wonderful, healthy and safe Thanksgiving break.

The United States will celebrate Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11.

Did you know that Dr. Seuss, Elvis Presley and Roberto Clemente were all United States Veterans?

The national ceremony will be held on November 11 at 11:00 a.m. in Arlington National Cemetery.  A color guard representing each military service will honor Veterans at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Did you know the closest Veterans center is in Crown Point, Indiana?

Guinness World Record Day is on Friday, November 13.

In honor of GWR day, Serendipity 3 is making the World’s Largest Cup of Hot Chocolate.  It is 14 inches wide and 11 inches tall and contains 4 gallons of chocolate.

Did you know the Cookie Monster has four fingers and a thumb? 

He was created by Jim Henson in 1969 for Sesame Street.   The big blue monster is best known for his favorite song “C is for Cookie.”  Over the years, Cookie Monster’s fur has gotten fluffier and his eyes have been moved to the top of his head.  He has eaten everything from rice cakes decorated like cookies to car fenders.  November 2 is Cookie Monster Day.

Did you know the Cookie Monster’s latest book is titled “Furry Faces:  Cookie Monster! ?”

The sandwich has been around for 100’s of years but did not receive it’s name until the 1700’s.  It is said that the Earl of Sandwich coined the phrase sandwich to describe bread stuffed with meat and herbs.

Did you know November 3 is National Sandwich Day?  Today you can find many different types of sandwiches:  open faced, club, submarine, blt, pb&j.  The sandwich should be a part of every one’s diet as it is a well-rounded meal all in one package.

Did you know you can find yummy sandwich recipes on www.wonderbread.com?

Thursday is Caps Lock Day.  The official definition for the caps lock key is as follows:  A keyboard key that toggles upper case on and off.

Did you know that caps lock was originally used for typing titles? 

Did you know that the pumpkin is a native fruit in the United States?

Pumpkins are a type of squash and have been grown in North America for over 5000 years.  Pumpkins are low in fat, high in fiber and are a good source of vitamins.

Check out the cool carving stencils posted on the history channel before you make your Halloween jack-o-lantern.

http://www.history.com/content/halloween/the-jack-o-lantern/pumpkin-carving-stencils

Madhatter Day is known as the second crazy day of the year, only after April Fools’ Day.   A person celebrates by doing something crazy that really makes sense.  Madhatter Day was created by technology workers and announced on computer networks in 1987.

Did you know October 6 was chosen as Madhatter Day due to the slip of paper in Alice in Wonderland’s MadHatter’s hat?  Some critics say the notation was really for an order to make a hat. 

Thursday, October 8 is Alvin C. York Day.  Alvin York was a soldier in WWI.  He was known for his acts of bravery and courage.

Did you know his life was made into a movie in 1940 starring Gary Cooper?

Leif Erikson Day is an American holiday celebrated on October 9.  Erikson is thought to have brought the first Europeans known to North American soil.

Did you know the state of Wisconsin became the first state to officially adopt the holiday?  A statue of Leif Erikson stands outside the Minnesota State Capital in St. Paul.

Did you know that Harvey Ball, a commercial artist created the smiley face in 1963? 

Ball created the image to promote good will and cheerfulness throughout the world.  The smiley face became a commercial icon.  Ball hoped the world would devote at least one special day to smiles and acts of kindness.

The first World Smile Day was held in 1999.  It’s theme was and still is “Do an act of kindness.  Help one person smile.”  World Smile Day is held the first Friday in October.

Did you know you can become a World Smile Ambassador by spreading the message of smiles and kindness?  You may leave comments on www.worldsmileday.com .

Did you know National Diversity Day is also on Friday, October 2? 

It is a day to celebrate and embrace our differences.  It is a day to learn about different cultures and ideas.  The theme is “Embrace Diversity, Embrace Our World!”

The beginning of autumn falls on September 22. 

Did you know the hours of day and night are equal in most parts of the world during the autumn equinox?  Did you know that the autumn equinox may fall on September 21, 22, 23 or 24 depending on the calender year? 

The word equinox is derived from Latin and means equal night.

Friday is National One Hit Wonder Day.  

Did you know that National One Hit Wonder Day celebrates musicians who have had only one top 40 hit on the billboard charts? 

What is your favorite one hit wonder?

Did you know the Air Force will celebrate it’s birthday on Friday, September 18? 

The US Air Force was formed as a separate branch of the military in 1947.  There are currently over 300,000 active members of the Air Force and over 5,500 aircraft.  The purpose of the Air Force is to provide peace, security and defense to the United States.

Did you know that Citizenship Day and Constitution Day are one in the same? 

The day is also one of the newest federal holidays to be established by Congress.  Citizenship Day is used to celebrate the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.  The United States Congress would like you to celebrate the birth of our country and being a citizen on September 17.

Patriot Day is a day of remembrance for over 3000 people who died during the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

On September 11, the American flag will be flown at half-staff in honor of those individuals who lost their lives in 2001.  Americans will also be asked to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. the time of the first plane crash.

Did you know the bill making Patriot Day a national holiday was passed on December 18 by President Bush?

Did you know that Labor Day is always celebrated on the first Monday in September? 

Labor Day became an official national holiday in 1894.  It is a day to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of the American worker.  The holiday is also attributed to the end of summer.  Many Americans celebrate with one last cookout and one last dip in the pool before the equinox arrives to open the fall season. 

You can celebrate by making Minnesota Mail Carrier Cookies for your family.  The recipe may be found on www.allrecipes.com along with many other yummy Labor Day dishes.