January 13, 2020

ANUARY 13, 2020 | NATIONAL RUBBER DUCKY DAY | NATIONAL CLEAN OFF YOUR DESK DAY | NATIONAL STICKER DAY | NATIONAL PEACH MELBA DAY | KOREAN AMERICAN DAY | STEPHEN FOSTER MEMORIAL DAY

NATIONAL RUBBER DUCKY DAY

According to a 1973 Sesame Street calendar, Rubber Duckie’s Birthday is January 13th so around the country it’s National Rubber Ducky Day! A friend of Ernie and Big Bird, Duckie made his debut in a February 1970 episode.

The rubber ducky (also spelled duckie) has come a long way from his first concept as a chew toy for children. While the origin of the first rubber ducky is uncertain, many rubber molded toys came about when rubber manufacturing developed in the late 1800s. They produced a variety of toys from dolls and various animal shapes, including the rubber duck. 

In 1928, Landon Smart Lawrence received the earliest patent fora rubber duck toy. His clever design weighted the toy so that when it tipped it returned to an upright position.The sketch included with the patent was that of a duck.

During World Wars I and II, rubber was a valuable commodity. Rationing became mandatory and by the 1940s with the advent of plastic, the rubber ducky began being produced in vinyl and plastic.

Russian Sculptor Peter Ganine sculpted many animal figures. One, a duck, he later designed and patented into a floating toy which closely resembles the rubber ducky we have become familiar with today.

Sales of the iconic yellow rubber ducky we’ve come to know today soared in Britain in 2001. Why? A British Tabloid, The Sun, reported Queen Elizabeth II had a rubber duck in her bathroom that wore an inflatable crown.

The rubber ducky became a Toy Hall of Fame inductee in 2013. Founded in 1998, the Hall of Fame has only inducted 52 other toys.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRubberDuckyDay

Spend time with your favorite rubber ducky. Share photos of your rubber ducky collection. Discover all the different kinds of rubber duckies available. Use #NationalRubberDuckyDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL RUBBER DUCKY DAY HISTORY

While our research did not uncover the creator of National Rubber Ducky Day, National Day Calendar® is pretty fond of the idea that it has to do with Sesame Street’s Rubber Duckie.

NATIONAL CLEAN OFF YOUR DESK DAY

The second Monday of January each year recognizes National Clean Off Your Desk Day.

This day is an opportunity to begin your new year with a clean and organized workspace.  Whether your desk is in a private or shared office, cubicle, home or a make-shift desk on the counter, having your workspace uncluttered and organized will help you work more efficiently. A clean workspace improves productivity and inspires us, too. It often gives us a sense of serenity.

Tips for Getting Organized

• Remove everything from your desk. Yes, everything.
• Clean the surface. As you replace items, clean them with the appropriate cleaning supply. Usually, a damp cloth is sufficient, but other electrical items need specific care.
• Get out the shredder and the garbage can. Shred, file, scan documents, business cards, recipes, photos as needed.
• Place all documents and photos in the appropriate locations.
• Shred and toss outdated documents, non-working pens, junk mail.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CleanOffYourDeskDay

Clean your desk and share tips on getting your workspace organized. Use #CleanOffYourDeskDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CLEAN OFF YOUR DESK DAY HISTORY

While researching the origin of this tidy day, National Day Calendar staff will be cleaning toss out old coffee cups, sticky notes, and chocolate wrappers. 

NATIONAL STICKER DAY

National Sticker Day on January 13th recognizes all the ways stickers brighten up a page or send a special message. The day celebrates all things stickers, from the custom printing of them to sharing stickers. Every sticker has a story.

Historians credit the European merchants in the 1880s as the first to stick labels to their products, in an effort to promote their goods and wares to passersby.

These savvy, pre-industrial entrepreneurs used a gum paste to get the labels to adhere and, well, stick: hence “stickers.” By the 1900s a sticker-specific paste had been developed and was widely used, most notably on stamps, which dried and then would re-apply when moistened.

The observance is in honor of R. Stanton Avery, who was born on that day in 1907. Avery was the original creator of the adhesive label with removable backing.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalStickerDay

Buy or make some special stickers. Share your favorite projects, scrapbook or reward someone with a unique sticker. Stickers aren’t just for kids. Everyone enjoys a sticker. They’re functional as well as fun. They keep us organized, and they create colorful ways to celebrate, too! Share your sticker best!

Take photos of them to post on social media using #NationalStickerDay.

NATIONAL STICKER DAY HISTORY

StickerGiant, a promotional sticker and product label company based in Longmont, Colorado, created National Sticker Day in 2015 to celebrate all the fun stickers bring to all ages. The Registrar at National Day Calendar® declared it will be observed on January 13th, annually.

There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®!

NATIONAL PEACH MELBA DAY

Another dessert brought to us by an internationally famous chef, National Peach Melba Day offers a refreshing celebration on January 13th each year. 

French chef Auguste Escoffier invented the elegant dessert back in 1892 or 1893, depending on the source. He created the dessert with peaches, vanilla ice cream, and raspberry sauce while employed at the Savoy Hotel, London. The dessert honored Australian soprano, Nellie Melba. The chef was known for naming his creations after famous people. Three such recipes are celebrated on the calendar including National Melba Toast Day onMarch 23rd.

Nellie Melba was born Hellen Porter Mitchell. She took the stage name Melba in honor of her hometown of Melbourne. Her achievements as an opera singer took her on tour worldwide. Later, she earned the title of Dame Grand Cross of the British Empire in 1927.

Chef Escoffier originally called the dessert “Pecheau Cygne” or “Peach Swan” and presented it in a swan-shaped ice sculpture and topped with spun sugar.

HOW TO OBSERVE #PeachMelbaDay

Listen to Nellie Melba while you make a Peach Melba. We’ve included a recipe for you to try, too!

Chef John’s Peach Melba Recipe

Use #NationalPeachMelbaDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PEACH DAY HISTORY

While National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday, we’ll also try to belt out the high notes, too. 

KOREAN AMERICAN DAY

Korean American Day on January 13 commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903. The day also honors the Korean American’s immense contributions to every aspect of society.

In 1882, the United States and Korea signed a treaty establishing a peaceful relationship, friendship, and commerce. While this led to Korean diplomats, students, politicians, and businessmen visiting the United States, few felt compelled to stay.

It wasn’t until December of 1902 on theSS Gaelicthat 102 Korean immigrants set sail for Honolulu, Hawaii. These families initiated the first wave of Korean immigration, resulting in over 7,500 immigrants over the next two years.

They served their communities and their country during World Wars I and II and the Korean War. During these times, more Koreans decided to emigrate from their homeland; some, as wives to U.S. servicemen, others were adopted as children.

Honoring a Few

Ahn Chang Ho – also known as Dosan, one of the earlier immigrants, Ho is credited with establishing the Willows Korean Aviation Corps in the United States, which later helped establish the Korean Airforce.

Sammy Lee – Olympic two-time gold medalist in diving (1948 – London) and (1952 – Helsinki).

Wendy Gramm – Served as U.S Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair under Presidents Reagan and Bush I.

Judge Herbert Y.C. Choy – First Asian American appointed to U.S. Federal Court (Court of Appeals Ninth District) in 1974.

David Hyun – Architect charged with revitalizing Little Tokyo in Los Angeles.

Sang Hyun Lee – First tenured Asian American professor at Princeton Theological Seminary

Hines Ward, Jr.  – Professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers

HOW TO OBSERVE #KoreanAmericanDay

Learn more about Korean Americans then and now. Read books about their experiences or watch documentaries. We’ve provided two books:

• Korean American Pioneer Aviators: The Willows Airmenby Edward T. Chang and Woo Sung Han
• Korean-Americans: Past, Present, and Futureby Ilpyong J. Kim
• Memoir of a Cashier: Korean Americans, Racism, and Riotsby Carol Park

You can also visitKorean American Storyto hear their stories or document your own. Find out more or share your experience by using #KoreanAmericanDay on social media.

KOREAN AMERICAN DAY HISTORY

In 2003, President George W. Bush proclaimed a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants. In 2005, the U.S. House and Senate passed simple resolutions in support of Korean American Day. Since then, states across the country have passed bills declaring January 13th as an annual celebration of Korean American Day. 

STEPHEN FOSTER MEMORIAL DAY

Stephen Foster Memorial Day on January 13th commemorates the music of the man who composed hundreds of America’s first popular songs.

Born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1826, Stephen Foster became known as America’s First Composer. His catchy tunes based on minstrel songs are still known today.

Despite Foster’s exclusive music contract with Firth, Pond, and Company, when he died at the age of 37, he was penniless. While his songs were wildly popular, the lack of copyright protection and alcoholism left him with nothing of value to show for his work.

During his short life, Foster wrote over 200 songs. His best-known compositions include “Oh! Susanna,” “Camptown Races,” “Old Folks at Home,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” “Old Black Joe,” and “Beautiful Dreamer”  and are still very popular today.  

Foster died on January 13, 1864, at the age of 37.

HOW TO OBSERVE #StephenFosterMemorialDay

Read about the life of Stephen Foster or watch a documentary. Check out our suggestions below:

• Doo-dah! by Ken Emerson
• Beautiful Dreamer: The Life of Stephen Collins Foster by Ellen Hunter Ulken
• Read about the African American influence on Stephen Foster’s music.

Use #StephenFosterMemorialDay to post on social media.

STEPHEN FOSTER MEMORIAL DAY HISTORY

Stephen Foster Memorial Day is a United States Federal Observance Day according to Title 36 of the United States Code. It was made law in November of 1966 and was first celebrated in 1967.

There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®!