Good morning tree huggers. Today is Arbor Day. Arbor Day was created and organized in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska City, Nebraska. An estimated one million trees were planted that day. Quite a feat considering the logistics involved in coordinating such an effort without the aid of electronic media. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in many different countries, although the dates may vary depending upon climate and optimal planting season. If your community is holding an Arbor Day event today, I urge you to attend. Also, why not visit your local nursery, buy a tree, and plant it in your yard. Surely, you have room for one more.
Today is also Babe Ruth Day. On this day in 1947, the legendary George Herman (Babe) Ruth was honored in Yankee Stadium (“the house that Ruth built”). Despite suffering from throat cancer, the “Sultan of Swat” gave an emotional speech before a capacity crowd of 58,339 where he expressed his gratitude to his fans. “The Bambino” succumbed to his illness on August 16, 1948.
Additionally, today is Morse Code Day. Samuel Morse, the inventor of the telegraph and creator of Morse Code, was born on this day in 1791. Although there was much controversy at the time over who actually invented the telegraph, it is generally accepted as fact today the he had the most practical and cost effective system. He also had a lot of “help” in creating the Morse Code.
Other holidays today are: Tell a Story Day, Mantanza’s Mule Day, and, (if you’re a cat owner you’ll appreciate this one), Hairball Awareness Day.
And, the food related holiday today is National Prime Rib Day. After you have planted a tree, paid homage to the Babe, and cleaned up your cat’s hairball, treat yourself to a delicious Prime Rib dinner.