“Arbor Day is not like other holidays. Each of those reposes on the past, while Arbor Day proposes for the future.” These are the words of J. Sterling Morton, the originator of the Arbor Day idea. He was among the many pioneers moving into the Nebraska Territory in 1854. With the decided lack of trees on the Nebraskan plains, Morton made it his cause to plant trees, not just for beautification but also to preserve the soil. He encouraged civic organizations to join in the effort, proclaiming the first Arbor Day in 1872. By 1885, Arbor Day was officially observed by the entire state and then by other states and schools nationwide. Today the most common date for the state observances is the last Friday in April, although many states celebrate it whenever conditions there are best for planting trees. Several U.S. presidents have proclaimed a national Arbor Day. Read more about Arbor Day.
Daily Calendar for Friday, April 29, 2022
Question of the Day
I’ve heard that if you cut your hair on a full Moon, your hair grows healthier and faster. Is this true?
According to folklore, if hair is cut during the Moon’s waxing phase (between new and full), growth is encouraged. The opposite will occur if hair is cut during the waning phase (the day after the Moon is full to the day before it’s new).
Advice of the Day
Dream of kisses, and you dream of treachery.
Home Hint of the Day
A board foot is a unit of measure corresponding to a block of wood 12-inch long x 12-inch wide x 1-inch thick.
Word of the Day
Staunch
Strong and tight; sound; firm; as, a stanch ship.
Puzzle of the Day
What do frogs eat with their hamburgers?
French flies.
Born
- William Hearst (editor/publisher) –
- Duke Ellington (musician) –
- Hirohito (emperor of Japan) –
- Fred Zinnemann (director of film) –
- Dale Earnhardt (race car driver) –
- Jerry Seinfeld (comedian & actor) –
- Daniel Day-Lewis (actor) –
- Eve Plumb (actress) –
- Carnie Wilson (singer) –
- Uma Thurman (actress) –
- Andre Agassi (tennis player) –
Died
- Alfred Hitchcock (filmmaker) –
- William J. Bell (writer and producer) –
- Bob Hoskins (actor) –
Events
- Jacob Hummel received patent for varnish of elastic gum–
- Theta Xi, first professional fraternity, founded, Troy, New York–
- A landslide in Frank, Alberta, killed at least 70 people–
- U.S. president Hoover received King and Queen of Siam–
- Prisoners liberated at Dachau–
- ABC’s Wide World of Sports premiered–
- Proposed Newfoundland flag design was revealed–
- The first condor to be conceived in captivity hatched at the San Diego Wild Animal Park helping to bring the species back from the brink of extinction–
- The World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., opened to the public–
- A perfect pink ring around the Sun was visible for several hours from Key Largo to Key West, Florida. It’s known as the rare halo phenomenon, a refraction of light through multiple layers of ice-crystal clouds in the upper levels of the atmosphere. A halo usually indicates that rain is on the way.–
- Prince William married Catherine Middleton–
- Mikah Meyer completed a 3-year journey to visit all 419 U.S. National Park Service sites–
Weather
- 2.4 inches of rain fell within 15 minutes in Taylor, Texas–
- Weather device TOTO hit by weak tornado–
- A storm produced a flash of lightning that stretched a horizontal distance of 477.2 miles across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The event set a world record for the longest single lightning bolt. –