- The first U.S. postage stamps were issued by the U.S. Postal Service on this day in 1847. The first stamps were a 5-cent stamp picturing Benjamin Franklin and a 10-cent stamp picturing George Washington. Discuss the cost of postage today and "snail mail" versus email. Ask a stamp collector to share his collection today. Praying is like writing a letter to God, but you don't need a stamp to send it. See this month's Activities for the Soul for some "Letters to God" from children.
July 2nd
Wendy's Day - Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's, was born on this day in 1932. Have a "Hamburger Luncheon" today. Since it is Picnic Month, why not take your burgers to the park? See our Theme of the Month page for more picnic ideas.
Halfway Day - We get all excited about New Year's Day, so why don't we get half that excited about getting halfway through the year? Is there even a term for it? Half New Year's Day? Midyear's Day? At noon today, 182 1/2 days of 2010 have passed and 182 1/2 more await us. Have a "Half-Hearted Party" and decorate with hearts cut in half. Serve sandwich halves, cookie halves, etc. Fill glasses half full with drinks. Discuss the old adage "Is your glass half full or half empty?" See Games People Play for some "Your Better Half Games."
I Forgot! Day - Annually on July 2, it is a day to make up for all of the birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions that you forgot to acknowledge. Use this excuse all day long. Alternatively, check out our Cranium Crunches to keep your memory sharp.
A "Wunnerful, Wunnerful" Day - The Lawrence Welk Show premiered on July 2, 1955. Plan a tribute to Lawrence Welk today. Try to find all of the words in the Searching for Lawrence Welk puzzle.
July 3rd
Tour de France Begins - The 97th Tour de France kicks off today in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Print out a map of the course and follow along each day, ending at the Champs-Elysées on July 25.
Compliment Your Mirror Day - A day to see if the person in your mirror smiles back at you. Pass out lots of compliments today. Go around with a mirror and ask everyone to smile at themselves.
Hot Diggity Dog Day - Celebrated the first Saturday of Hot Dog Month. Host a "Hot Dog Eating Contest" and invite the public. Share some hot dog trivia and History Dogged By Disputes with your group this month. What are the Top 10 Hot Dog Eating Cities in the Country? Take the Hot Dog Quiz to see how much you know about this favorite food. Also, try to unscramble all of the words in the Hot Diggity Dog puzzle or put together this Hot Dog Jigsaw Puzzle. Try to fit all of the fixings in this Hot Dog Toppings word fit puzzle. Check Hot Dog and Sausage Council for recipes and more. What better reason to celebrate hot dogs today, since it is also...
Hot Under the Collar Day - If you've been feeling a little hot under the collar, there's a good reason. Today marks the official start of the Dog Days of Summer (July 3 - August 11) and Air Conditioning Appreciation Days (July 3 - August 15) in the Northern Hemisphere. Reminisce with your group about the days before air conditioning. Try making these American Flag Fans for all your Fourth of July celebrations tomorrow.
July 4th
Independence Day - The Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was passed by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on this day in 1776. It is also the beginning of Freedom Week. See our special Independence Day page for some great activities.
"America the Beautiful" Day - On this day in 1895, Katharine Lee Bates published her poem "America the Beautiful" in her church publication, the Congregationalist. The poem was inspired by Bates' climb to the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado two years before. The poem was put to music in 1910 and is now a patriotic favorite. Sing the song today and talk about Katharine Bates. Ask your group to try writing their own patriotic song.
Oh! Susanna Day - Stephen Foster was born on July 4, 1826 - an Independence Day baby. See our Music Matters page for a tribute to Stephen Foster this month.
Put it On the Grill Day - It is Grilling Month and what better day to throw something on the grill than the Fourth of July? Try some Grilling Recipes today. Men seem to be drawn to the open flame, so have them help out if they can. Pick up a set of BARBQ bingo cards and play a few games during your event.
Build a Scarecrow Day - While scarecrows are commonly associated with autumn, Build a Scarecrow Day falls on the first Sunday of July. That's so your finished scarecrow can keep the crows out of the fields all summer long. Plan a "Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt" where players have to find everything they need to make a scarecrow - old pants, old shirt, twine, hat, belt, etc. FYI: Scarecrow Month is celebrated in October.
July 5th
Blue Monday - In celebration of Blueberry Month. Make Blueberry Bread and Berry Blue Smoothies. How about Blueberry Breakfast Focaccia or these delicious Blueberry Lemon Bars? Sing "Blueberry Hill" and ask everyone to wear something blue today. Learn more about blueberries and visit the Blueberry Council for some interesting information. FYI: We also celebrate Blueberry Muffin Day (July 11) this month.
Birthday of the Bikini - On this day in 1946, Micheline Bernardini, a professional model, wore the first bikini swimsuit during a fashion show in Paris. Louis Reard, the fashion designer, called his explosive creation the "Bikini" after the Central Pacific Island, Bikini Atoll, where the A-Bomb was being tested. Discuss Women's Swimsuit History today. Sing "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini."
P.T. Barnum Day - It is P.T. Barnum's 200th birth anniversary. Plan a "Golden Age of the Circus" discussion today. Learn more about P.T. Barnum. Serve Barnum's Animal Crackers during your discussion. Also, try to unscramble all of the words in the Mixed-Up Circus puzzle.
Cracker Jack Day - Candy-coated popcorn, peanuts, and a prize . . . that's what you get in a box of Cracker Jack! The familiar product logo, featuring Sailor Jack and his dog, made their marketing debut on this day in 1918. Do you know the dog's name? Why, it's BINGO, of course. Play bingo today and pass out boxes of Cracker Jacks as prizes. It's perfect! If you want, make your own Cracker Jacks or some Cracker Jack Cookies. Check out Cracker Jack Trivia and How Cracker Jack Began. July sure is a corny month! First, we celebrate Cracker Jack Day, and then we celebrate Orville Redenbacher's birthday (July 16). Whew!
July 6th
Name That Tune TV Premiere - Name That Tune premiered on this day in 1953. Two contestants listened while an orchestra played a musical selection, and the first player who could identify it raced across the stage to ring a bell. The winner of the round then tried to identify a number of tunes within a specified time limit. Use the songs on our Music Matters page every month to play a guessing game. Try solving this Name Those Lyrics puzzle this month.
Tomato/Tomahto Tuesday - See our Flora & Fauna page for a "Growing Container Tomatoes" activity. How about making this refreshing Diced Cucumber & Tomato Summer Salad?
Run with the Bulls Day - Today marks the opening ceremony of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, famous for its Running of the Bulls event. The festival takes place every year from July 6-14. Many animal rights groups protest the Running of the Bulls, saying that it tortures the animals for our entertainment. What is your opinion? Running of the Bulls was made popular by Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises. Read the book and discuss the Running of the Bulls today. FYI: We also celebrate Ernest Hemingway's birth anniversary (July 21) this month.
Drumstick Day - It is Fried Chicken Day and Drums & Percussions Month. Serve drumsticks and play drum music today. Share some Drummer Quotes and try solving the Bang the Drums Slowly word search or the Percussions Word Search today.
Someday I'll... Day - You know all those things you are always promising yourself you'll do someday? Well, today is the day to do them.
July 7th
Tanabata (Star Festival) in Japan - Tanabata is one of the oldest Japanese festivals. Several days before July 7, people write their wishes or poems on strips of colored paper and hang them on branches of bamboo. Then, on the night of the 7th, the branches are put out in the garden. (These are attractive enough to be called summer Christmas trees.) Colored threads are also hung on the bamboo branches. Learn more about Tanabata. Plan a Japanese luncheon today. Decorate with Japanese lanterns and colorful streamers. Ask people to write their poems or wishes on strips of paper and hang the strips on a large plant (such as a ficus tree).
Automat Day - Or Horn & Hardart Day. Reminisce about automats. Was the food good? How much did it cost? How did they compare to today's vending machines?
The Nose Knows (if you tell a lie) Day - On this day in 1881, Carlo Lorenzini, whose pen name was Collodi, published the first chapter of The Adventures of Pinocchio. Invite young children over and read the book or show the Disney movie Pinocchio. Play a game of "Truth or Lie Trivia."
Ringo Starr's Birthday - Ringo Starr, drummer for The Beatles, turns 70 today! Share the Postcards from the Boys - a treasury of postcards sent to Ringo from John, Paul, and George during their travels. Ringo discovered the collection of postcards during a house move in the late '90s. It is a fun, candid view of the friendships behind The Beatles.
July 8th
SCUD Day - SCUD stands for Savor the Comic, Unplug the Drama. It's a day to remind people to spend more time in the "comic zone" and less time in the "drama zone." Here's an idea - ask everyone to guess what SCUD means. You will get some funny responses.
Rockefeller Day - John D. Rockefeller was born on July 8, 1839, and his grandson, Nelson A. Rockefeller, was born on July 8, 1908. How much do you know about this famous family?
Passport Day - The first American passport was issued on this day in 1796. Take a picture and make a book about yourself today. Don't forget to visit the Front Porch Travels page where a passport is not necessary for your travels.
Hot Dog Night - On this night in Luverne, MN, more than 12,000 hot dogs and drinks are served free of charge! Serve your own free hot dogs for dinner tonight. See if you can fit all of the fixings in this Hot Dog Toppings word fit puzzle. See Hot Diggity Dog Day (July 3) for more.
July 9th
Rope 'em In Day - Today is the first day of the Calgary Stampede (through July 18), one of the world's largest and well-known rodeos. The Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada, has taken place since 1912. Besides hosting the rodeo, Calgary puts on an agricultural fair, parade, and carnival. Go to a rodeo today or have a cowboy-themed party.
Howe Now? Day - Today is Elias Howe's birth anniversary (1819). You might not recognize his name, but he was the man who invented the sewing machine. Bring in some modern-day sewing machines and discuss how (or howe) things have changed. "Howe" about sewing your own clothes for a...
Fashion Show Friday - Three famous fashion designers were born in July - Pierre Cardin (July 7), Giorgio Armani (July 11), and Oscar de La Renta (July 22). Plan a "Funny Fashion Show" today with these Funny Fashion Show ideas.
"Life is Like a Box of Chocolates" Day - It is Tom Hanks' birthday. Watch one of his movies today - such as Forrest Gump.
July 10th
Teddy Bears' Picnic Day - Today is a popular children's day in Canada, Australia, and Europe where parents and children have picnics/tea parties with their teddy bears in the park or preschool/kindergarten classrooms. The picnics don't just have to be about eating. The children and their teddy bears make crafts or play games as well. It all started with a song - "Teddy Bears' Picnic" - so don't forget to play the song at your picnic. See our Theme of the Month page for more "picnic" ideas this month, including "A Berry Good Picnic Party." It also happens to be ...
Hop-a-Park Day - July is National Recreation and Parks Month, so to celebrate, visit each of the parks in your area today. Check out how Colleyville, Texas celebrates on the 11th.
James Whistler's Birthday - James McNeill Whistler, an American artist, was born on July 10, 1834. He is most famous for the painting Arrangement in Gray and Black No. 1: The Artist's Mother, commonly referred to as Whistler's Mother. Draw your own profiles, just like Whistler's Mother. Have the "model" sit in front of a piece of white paper that has been taped to a flat wall. Shine a bright light on your subject and trace around the shadow on the piece of paper. You will have a perfect profile.
Coke Classic Day - On this day in 1985, after consumer complaints, the Coca-Cola Company announced that the former (regular) Coke was coming back to share shelf space with the New Coke. The original formula was renamed Coca-Cola Classic. Have a taste test today and see who can identify the different Cokes - Classic, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Cherry Coke, Vanilla Coke, etc.
Clerihew Day - A day to remember Edmund Clerihew Bentley, author and journalist best known for his invention of a popular humorous verse form, the clerihew, consisting of rhymed couplets of equal length. Learn How to Write a Clerihew today.