May 11: Twilight Zone Day

I don’t know if I can really wish you a happy Twilight Zone Day, but I’ll try to. If you’re a fan of the show, today is the day for a Twilight Zone marathon, and popcorn is a necessity. If you’re like me and didn’t grow up with the show, then today is just a day of creepiness, confusion, and plot twists, where you never know what’s going to happen.

So, if you’re going to have a crazy, Twilight Zone type day, I suggest finding a fitting soundtrack to go along with it. Narrating one’s own life is optional. 🙂

Here’s a good Twilight Zone Day curse:

“May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion.”

Psalm 35:25

May 10: Clean Up Your Room Day

Guess what? I’m not celebrating today! I’m having guests this morning, so I cleaned up my room on May 9, and, believe me, it’s cleaner than it’s been in quite some time.

I can’t find any specific information on how May 10 became Clean Up Your Room Day, but my guess would be that some woman somewhere wanted a little extra something around Mother’s Day. What do you think?

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. ”

Psalm 51:7

May 9: Lost Sock Memorial Day

Is it the washer or the dryer? I don’t know, but something is eating those socks. Of course, it only ever takes one at a time. On Lost Sock Memorial Day, take a moment to “commemorate” your lost socks, then get rid of the extras and move on with your life. Seriously. They’re just socks.

For all the moms out there, sick and tired of doing laundry, take a moment to laugh at silly things like lost socks as the “virtuous woman” of Proverbs 31:

“She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.”

Proverbs 31:25

May 8*: National Teacher Day

*celebrated on Tuesday of the first full week in May. In 2012, that’s May 8.

A good teacher makes a lasting influence on a person’s life. People of all ages often recall that one teacher that believed in them and made learning worthwhile. Today’s the day to remember that teacher and let him or her know that they made a difference. It’s also time to thank any current teachers you know, whether they teach you, your kids, or students that you’ve never met. Teaching is a rough profession, and every teacher deserves our appreciation.

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Deuteronomy 4:9-10

May 7: Radio Day

On May 7, 1895, Russian physicist Alexander Popov presented a working radio to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society. Although Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Marconi are also famous for their work in radio communication, most historians say that Popov was the first to create a working model.

 

Fifty years later, the Soviet Union celebrated the first Radio Day, or Communication Workers’ Day on the anniversary of this demonstration. Today you can celebrate by learning a bit about the invention and how it works, breaking out the walkie-talkies just for fun, or listening to your favorite radio station. Long commutes just wouldn’t be the same without Popov’s invention.

“They sing to the music of tambourine and harp;
they make merry to the sound of the flute.”

Job 21:12

May 6: National Tourist Appreciation Day

I know, I know, tourists can be really annoying. They wear crazy clothes, talk loudly, and are always causing traffic buildups since they’re going slowly and are always lost. But, they spend money! And, of course, they appreciate your home and your taste, so they can’t be all bad.

So, today, as the summer tourism season begins, do a little something extra to appreciate your tourists. After all, you’ve probably been just as annoying to someone else when you’ve gone on vacation.

“Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt.”

Exodus 23:9

May 5: Cinco de Mayo

Historically, Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “May 5”) is better celebrated as El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla (“The Day of the Battle of Puebla”). On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army under General Seguin shocked the world by defeating the French, a much larger army commanded by General Lorencez.

Today, in much of the world and the U.S. in particular, Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of everything Mexican (or everything that’s perceived to be Mexican, even if it’s not remotely Mexican at all). So, break out your sombrero, attend a Cinco de Mayo festival, play mariachi music, or at least eat a taco!

 

“Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.”

Psalm 119:111

May 4: Star Wars Day

May the Fourth be with you.

Since today is May the 4th, it has become known as the unofficial Star Wars Day. So go break out your lightsaber, movie quotes, and books, and fight the dark side. Today’s the day.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”

John 3:19

May 3: World Press Freedom Day

Today, we think of freedom of press as an obvious right, something no one could even dispute, but it’s actually a relatively new concept in world history. Instead, state-sponsored and approved media has been (and in some places still is) the norm.

Because of all this, UNESCO has set May 3 as World Press Freedom Day, to remind people and governments everywhere of the importance of freedom of the press. Today is a good day to honor all those who have paved the way for freedom of press.

In honor of investigative journalism:

“He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.”

Daniel 2:22

May 2: Brothers and Sisters Day

Although I already celebrated Siblings Day on April 10, I’m also celebrating Brothers and Sisters Day on May 2. Family is too important to ignore, and, quite honestly, many of us took several years before we could admit to actually liking, let alone loving, our siblings, so let’s all take today to call up our brothers and sisters and let them know we care.

If you happen to be an only child, now’s the time to “adopt” a brother or sister. (When my grandparents lived far away, I “adopted” a wonderful older couple to be my grandparents, inviting them to all my school events and enjoying how they spoiled me.)

“Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Mark 3:35