April 17: International Bat Appreciation Day
International Bat Appreciation Day is a chance to show our flying and mostly nocturnal friends some love. There are over 1,400 different bat species and, contrary to popular opinion, they aren’t blind. Bat Conservation International (BCI) was founded in 1982 by a group of concerned scientists who recognized the importance of protecting bats. Bats contribute towards controlling pests, create rich fertilizer for landowners, and pollinate fruit and flowers. BCI aims to conserve bats and their habitats through a combination of education, conservation, and research.
April 18: National Animal Crackers Day
Who can resist the iconic treats of our childhood on National Animal Crackers Day? They have been part of American childhood memories since the late 1800s when brought from England where animal crackers were invented. Animal crackers are one of the best-recognized food products on the planet today. Who knew that the little menagerie of zoo and circus creatures that delighted us as children would later become one of our fondest childhood memories – and a simple guilty pleasure for us as adults?
April 19: National Banana Day
National Banana Day takes place on the third Wednesday in April. Have an amazing day doing the best thing with bananas . . . eating them! Bananas are one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world. The edible berry fruit that grows in fingerlike clusters, there are thousands of banana varieties, with world-wide popularity. Bananas are beneficial and versatile, and can be used in puddings, muffins, pies, sandwiches, bread, cakes . . . and more.
April 20: National Lima Bean Respect Day
The Andes’ Inca Empire considered limas one of its most common and basic food. Though famously referred to as “butter beans,” lima beans have many more names than any other bean, including the wax bean, chad bean, sieva bean, double bean, Rangoon bean, Burma bean, and Madagascar bean. Lima Bean Respect Day, however, was created to give recognition to the wonderful, tasty, nutritious legumes, lima beans. People observe this day by making delicious lima bean recipes and enjoying them with friends and family.
April 21: Thank you for Libraries Day
Thank You for Libraries Day is celebrated to appreciate the contribution of libraries to society and their roles in transforming lives. The first systematically organized library in the world dates back to the 7th century B.C. According to historians, the birth of libraries marked the end of prehistory and the start of history. The first libraries were nothing more than archives for commercial transactions or inventory records. Now, libraries are a collection of materials, books, or media that are accessible by the public. In most communities, they are the center of art and culture and help drive creativity and innovation. There are currently over 110,000 libraries spread across the United States.
April 22: National Jelly Bean Day
Who can resist sweet jelly beans on National Jelly Bean Day? While similar candies existed before the jelly bean, confectioner William Schrafft made them popular during the Civil War. With their firm exterior, jelly beans were the first candies sold by the pound. Schrafft encouraged customers to send them to Union soldiers. In the 1930s, jelly beans became closely associated with the Easter holiday thanks to their egg-like shape. Now, jelly beans are available all year long.
April 23: Spanish Language Day
Spanish Language Day celebrates the second most spoken language in the world. Currently, there are more than 450 million native Spanish speakers in the world. Spanish is also the third most studied language in the world, behind English and French. Our own Harriet Barnet teaches Spanish here at Kendal (along with English to those whose first language is Spanish). Spanish is also one of six official languages of the United Nations.