13 | September | 2014 | M'chelsMusings

Saturday, the 13th of September, 2014 is the 256th day in 2014 and in the 37th calendar week.

General Events:

International Chocolate Day
September 13, 2014 in the World

Chocolate is one of the world’s favorite flavors, possibly THE most loved taste across 7 continents. This magic bean has been consumed by humans from as far back as 1900 BC, and was an integral part of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations and culture. Europeans combined it with milk and sugar, and with the Industrial Revolution and mass production, the modern era of chocolate began. Though it originated in the Americas, today the small African country of Cote D’Ivoire produces 30% of the world’s cocoa. Everyone loves it, the recipes are endless and September 13th is celebrated as international chocolate day.

While most of us don’t need a special day to indulge in the rich creamy glory that is chocolate, International Chocolate Day gives us just one more reason to consume this delectable confection in copious quantities. It is celebrated mostly by individuals, local candy stores and bakeries, independent chocolatiers and large candy corporations. It is marked by a profusion of delicious recipes all over the internet, from a 15-minute chocolate milk pudding to extravagant meringues, pies, layer cakes, soufflés and mousses.

Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that helps to reduce blood pressure. Do note that whenever chocolate is reported to be good for health, it is usually in reference to dark chocolate. It has a much higher cacao percentage than the milk and white varieties, and uses less sugar.

Where is International Chocolate Day?
Worldwide

Roald Dahl Day
September 13, 2014 in the World

The annual Roald Dahl Day takes place on Saturday, September 13 – what would have been the author’s 98th birthday.

Dahl was born in Cardiff in 1916 and went on to write some of the most magical, memorable and enduring children’s books of all time before his death in 1990.

Dahl’s stories are known for their eccentric heroes, dastardly villains and often dark humour. As an author, Dahl’s ability to “gobblefunk around with words” – as the BFG tells Sophie – has inspired a lifelong love of reading for many.
This year also celebrates the 50th anniversary of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.

Do you know your snozzwangers from your snozzcumbers? : http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/roald-dahl-quiz-you-know-4209847

Where is Roald Dahl Day?
Worldwide

Positive Thinking Day
September 13, 2014 in the World

On September 13, 2014, you shouldn’t lose any energy into negative thoughts, because on that date is the Positive Thinking Day. It was introduced in 2003 by an American entrepreneur to celebrate the benefits of positive thinking. It’s best to start with a good thought (“Today is a good day!”) into Positive Thinking Day.

Positive thinking is a concept that is known from personality or motivational seminars and advice literature. The goal of positive thinking is to ensure, that through constant positive influence a long-term constructive and optimistic attitude will be reached and consequently a higher satisfaction and quality of life will be achieved.

Optimists have been shown to live healthier lifestyles which may influence disease. For example, optimists smoke less, are more physically active, consume more fruit, vegetables and whole-grain bread, and consume more moderate amounts of alcohol. A meta-analysis has confirmed the assumption that optimism is related to psychological well-being.

Where is Positive Thinking Day?
Worldwide

Knabenschiessen
September 13 – 15, 2014 in Zurich

Knabenschiessen is observed on September 13, 2014. Knabenschiessen is a traditional target shooting competition in Zürich, held on the second weekend of September each year. The festival, officially held for the first time in 1889, is one of the oldest in Switzerland, dating back to the 17th century. The competition is open to 13-17 year olds, who either reside or are enrolled in a school in the canton of Zürich. Originally reserved for boys (Knaben), the competition has been open to female participants since 1991.

Where is Knabenschiessen?
Nationwide Zurich

Uncle Sam Day 2014
September 13, 2014 in the USA

Uncle Sam Day is observed on September 13, 2014. Uncle Sam (initials U.S.) is a common national personification of the American government that, according to legend, came into use during the War of 1812 and was supposedly named for Samuel Wilson, who supplied rations for the soldiers. His birthday is September 13, 1766.

The first use of Uncle Sam in literature was in the 1816 allegorical book “The Adventures of Uncle Sam in Search After His Lost Honor” by Frederick Augustus Fidfaddy, Esq. An Uncle Sam is mentioned as early as 1775, in the original “Yankee Doodle” lyrics of the Revolutionary War. It is not clear whether this reference is to Uncle Sam as a metaphor for the United States. The lyrics as a whole clearly deride the military efforts of the young nation, besieging the British at Boston.

There are two memorials to Uncle Sam, both of which commemorate the life of Samuel Wilson: the Uncle Sam Memorial Statue in Arlington, Massachusetts, his birthplace; and a memorial near his long-term residence in Riverfront Park, Troy, New York. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, New York.

Where is Uncle Sam Day?
Nationwide USA

Peanut Day
September 13, 2014 in the USA

National Peanut Day takes place on September 13, 2014. Peanuts are known by many other local names such as earthnuts, ground nuts, goober peas, monkey nuts, pygmy nuts and pig nuts. Despite its name and appearance, the peanut is not a nut, but rather a legume. Peanuts are rich in nutrients, providing over 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients. Peanuts are a good source of niacin, folate, fiber, vitamin E, magnesium and phosphorus. They also are naturally free of trans-fats and sodium, and contain about 25% protein.

Peanuts have many uses. They can be eaten raw, used in recipes, made into solvents and oils, medicines, textile materials, and peanut butter, as well as many other uses. In the US, peanuts are used in candies, cakes, cookies, and other sweets. They are also enjoyed roasted and salted. Peanut butter is one of the most popular peanut-based foods in the US, and for four hundred years, recipes for peanut soup have been present in the South, Virginia in particular. In some southern portions of the US, peanuts are boiled for several hours until soft and moist. Peanuts are also deep-fried, shell and all.

Although the peanut was mainly a garden crop for much of the colonial period of North America, it was mostly used as animal feed stock until the 1930s. In the United States, a US Department of Agriculture program (see below) to encourage agricultural production and human consumption of peanuts was instituted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. George Washington Carver is well known for his participation in that program in which he developed hundreds of recipes for peanuts.

Where is National Peanut Day?
Nationwide USA

Historical Events on 13th September:

509 BC – The temple of Jupiter on Rome’s Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September.

122 – Building begins on Hadrian’s Wall

1504 – Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand issue a Royal Warrant for the construction of a Royal Chapel (Capilla Real) to be built.

1579 – Breda forms Union of Utrecht

1759 – British beat French forces at Plains of Abrahams (Quebec)

1788 – NY City becomes 1st capital of US

1791 – France’s King Louis XVI accepts constitution

1881 – Lewis Latimer invents & patents electric lamp with a carbon filament

1900 – Filipino resistance fighters defeat a small American column in the Battle of Pulang Lupa, during the Philippine-American War.

1939 – First (tethered) flight of the Vought-Sikorsky VS-300, one of the first viable American helicopters, flown by Igor Sikorsky