On National Say Something Nice Day we have an opportunity to make June 1st extra special for everyone around us.
The purpose of this is to counteract bullying and the lack of civility and common courtesy that is growing among people in today's world. Hopefully, the practice of saying something nice today will continue not just today but for many days to follow.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Use #SaySomethingNiceDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
Mayor Keith Summey of North Charleston, South Carolina proclaimed June 1 as Say Something Nice Day in 2006 in recognition of the communication efforts of specialist Dr. Mitch Carnell founder of the day. Carnell is also the author of Say Something Nice: Be a Lifter at Work. The South Baptist Convention and the Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery joined with Carnell to establish the day.
Commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth is observed on June 19.
The celebration originated in Texas when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston. He announced on June 19, 1865, with General Orders, Number 3 that the Civil War was over and all slaves were now freedmen.
News traveled slowly, even stubbornly during and after the War between the States. The Emancipation Proclamation had been signed over two years earlier. General Lee had surrendered at Appomattox two months before, and President Lincoln had already been laid to rest. The official final surrender had taken place just weeks before but the word, official word, seemed to be required to impact what was already happening in the rest of the country.
The celebration of Juneteenth grew from the profound experience that day when many learned of their freedom to the surmounting challenges that lay ahead and the lasting perseverance required for dignity, to overcome adversity and achieve fulfillment. Year after year, pilgrimages have been made to Galveston and celebrations have spread around the country and the world. In 2015, Juneteenth celebrated its 150th anniversary.
Emancipation Timeline
January 1, 1863 â Emancipation Proclamation signed
April 9, 1865 â General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.
April 14, 1865 â President Abraham Lincoln assassinated
May 12, 1865 â Final battle of Civil War at Palmito Ranch, Texas (Confederate victory)
May 26, 1865 â Civil War official ends when General Simon Bolivar Buckner of the Army of Trans-Mississippi enters terms of surrender
December 6, 1865 â 13th Amendment abolishing slavery ratified
HOW TO OBSERVE
Juneteenth has grown into a festival celebrating the art, food, education and history of the African-American culture. Across the country, a variety of events take place with delicious food, art, music, dance, parades and the history of Juneteenth at the center of the festivities. Find one near you and use #Juneteenth to share on social media.
HISTORY
Since General Major Gordon Granger reached Galveston on June 19, 1865, Juneteenth (coined by combining June and nineteenth), has grown in waves. With the 150th anniversary, the celebration has gone worldwide
Observed each year on June 20th is National American Eagle Day. This day is set aside to honor our national symbol, raise awareness for protecting the Bald Eagle, assist in the recovery of their natural environments and take part in educational outreach.
The Bald Eagle is both the national bird and the national animal of the United States of America and appears on its Seal.
In the latter 20th century, the Bald Eagle was on the brink of extinction in the continental United States. Eventually, populations recovered and on July 12, 1995, the species was removed from the U.S. Federal Governmentâs List of Endangered Species and transferred to the List of Threatened Species. On June 2007, it was withdrawn from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the Lower 48 States.
The Bald Eagleâs range includes most of Canada, Alaska, all of the contiguous United States and northern Mexico. They can be found near large bodies of open water where there is an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting.
Opportunistic feeders, Bald Eagles survive mainly on fish, swooping down and snatching them from the water. Their nests are the largest nests of any North American bird and the largest tree nests ever recorded for any animal species. The largest recorded eagleâs nest was found in St. Petersburg, Florida. It measured 9.5 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep. It weighed in at nearly 3 tons.
These majestic raptors tally up quite a list of facts. A fully grown female Bald Eagle has a wingspan of 2 meters (7 feet) and weighs 3 to 7 kilograms (7 to 15 pounds). The males are slightly smaller. They mate for life and live between 20-30 years.
The name âBald Eagleâ derives from an older meaning of âwhite headedâ as the bird is actually not bald. The adult eagle is mainly brown with a white head and tail.
HOW TO OBSERVE
For more information on National American Eagle Day visit www.eagles.org. Use #NationalAmericanEagleDay to share on social media.
HISTORY
National American Eagle Day is sponsored by The American Eagle Foundation.
Green thumbs get your spades ready! National Garden Week during the first full week of June is designed to raise awareness of gardening and horticulture, and to encourage more people to take part in the healthy and productive outdoor activity of gardening
From the amateur to the master gardener, celebrations, workshops and educational events swing into high gear during National Gardening Week. Gardens provide fresh fruits and vegetables, beautify neighborhoods and communities and provide social and physical activities throughout the year.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Visit your local library, county extension service, or check local listings for events near you. Visit gardenclub.org for more information on how to get involved. Use #NationalGardenWeek to share on social media.
HISTORY
National Garden Week was founded by National Garden Clubs, Inc.