Event Calendar

In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.

July is the month of the Full Buck Moon. Bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time. This Full Moon was also known as the Thunder Moon because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month. The Full Moons have descriptive names that come from Native Americans and Colonial Americans who used the Full Moons as a sort of calendar to keep track of the seasons. Full moon is a lunar phase that occurs when the geocentric apparent longitudes of the Sun and Moon differ by 180 degrees; the Moon is then in opposition with the Sun. At this time, as seen by viewers on Earth, the hemisphere of the Moon that is facing the earth (the near side) is fully illuminated by the Sun and appears round. Only during a full moon is the opposite hemisphere of the Moon, which is not visible from Earth (the far side), completely unilluminated. As a lunar month is about 29.531, the period between full moons can be either 29 or 30 days.

This is one holiday that is easy to celebrate. Cheer Up the Lonely Day was established to spread awareness about the damaging effects of loneliness and asks for people to give some of their time to bring happiness and cheer into the lives of those who may be lonely. Unfortunately, whether it is being alone or feeling alone; loneliness is an inevitable part of life. For some people, it can be temporary, and for others it may be a daily struggle; affecting all ages, and people from all walks of life. If you know someone who is lonely or going through a difficult time, this was created as a day to reach out to them and try to cheer them up. Your small act of kindness can make a big difference to them. According to L.J. Pesek, Cheer Up the Lonely Day was created by her father, Francis Pesek from Detroit, Michigan. She said her father "was a quiet, kind, wonderful man who had a heart of gold. He got the idea as a way of promoting kindness toward others who were lonely or forgotten as shut-ins or in nursing homes with no relatives or friends to look in on them." Francis Pesek chose this July 11th, because it was his own birthday.

When you get the urge for a snack on a hot, humid summer night, what's the first thing that comes to your mind? That's right....Ice Cream! Therefore, it's only fitting that ice cream be given its own special day. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month. He also established National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday in July. Did you know? Charles E. Minches of St. Louis, Missouri is credited with inventing the ice cream cone. On July 23, 1904 at the World's Fair in St. Louis, he filled a pastry cone with two scoops of ice cream to make the first ice cream cone. There is some controversy over this claim. Italo Marchiony of New York City filed a patent for the ice cream cone months before the fair opened. And, he was selling lemon ice in cones as early as 1896.

Parents’ Day promotes the message that the role of the parent is important in human development. It requires investment, focus, and commitment. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed into law a resolution adopted by the US Congress to establish the fourth Sunday of every July as Parents' Day. Parental figures in the United States receive the recognition for the role they play in their children’s lives. Parents’ Day aims to promote responsible parenting and to recognize positive parental role models. It celebrates the special bonds of love between parental figures and their children.

Chocoholics unite—it’s National Milk Chocolate Day! Milk chocolate is made of cocoa solids - cocoa paste and cocoa butter - mixed with dry or condensed milk and sugar, and is one of the most common types of chocolates available around the world. It is believed that milk chocolate was first created as a drink in Germany during the mid-19th century. The first milk chocolate in the form of a bar that we all recognize today was created by Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter in collaboration with Henri Nestlé, the founder of the chocolate company Nestlé. Did you know that chocolate actually has mood-enhancing benefits? Due to a stimulant called theobromine and a compound called anandamide that it contains—chocolate can make you happy! Now that sounds like an extra reason to celebrate! So today, enjoy it your favorite way--Happy Milk Chocolate Day!