National Gardening Week was launched in 2011 by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and aims to become the country’s biggest celebration of gardening in the United Kingdom. Thousands of people, gardens, charities, retailers, culture and heritage organizations and groups get involved each year. The United State’s Gardening Week is in June.

Africa

Apr

Golden Week (JP): April 29 - May 5

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ABOUT GOLDEN WEEK

Golden Week in Japan is a unique period from April 29 through the beginning of May, including several public holidays. Most Japanese companies will be closed, and people typically take vacations during this period.

On April 29, Japan celebrates Emperor Shōwa Day (Hirohito), who lived from April 29, 1901, to January 7, 1989.

May 3 is Constitution Memorial Day—Marking the anniversary of the institution of the Japanese Constitution, May 3, 1947.

May 4 is Greenery Day— a reason for people to commune with nature acknowledging Emperor Shōwa's love of plants and nature.

May 5 is Children's Day— the fifth day of the fifth month saw the boy's festival of Tango no Sekku. Throughout the country, you'll see carp-shaped streamers symbolizing strength and success. Children's Day has also been a national holiday in South Korea since 1975.

The week's length officially depends on how the key dates fall within the standard week. Golden Week can end on May 3, 4, 5, or 6, depending upon the year.

Africa

Apr

International Day for the Foundation of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (1997): April 29

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International Day for the Foundation of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, or #OPCWDay, marks April 29, 1997, the establishment of articles prohibiting chemical weapons in war. According to the OPCW, as of 2021: 193 States committed to the Chemical Weapons Convention. 98% of the global population lives under the protection of the Convention. 98% of the chemical weapons stockpiles declared by possessor States have been verifiably destroyed.

Africa

Apr

Peace Rose Day: April 29

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French horticulturist Francis Meilland in the late 1930s, created the Peace Rose, a soft yellow hybrid tea rose with pink-tinged outer petals. France shared it with other countries during the year leading up to the Second World War to protect the rose. Peace Rose Day marks the anniversary of the fall of Berlin, April 29, 1945. It was the end of Nazi Germany, and the war in Europe would finally end within the next ten days.

Africa

Apr

Showa Day (JP)(1901): April 29

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Japanese emperor Michinomiya Hirohito was born on April 29, 1901, at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan. He presided over Japan as an empire and then state until he died in 1989. Showa Day in Japan honors his birthday and is part of Golden Week.

Africa

Apr

Shrimp Scampi Day, Ntl.: April 29

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National Shrimp Scampi Day in the United States celebrates the cuisine known as shrimp scampi. Shrimp scampi is cooked with butter, garlic, lemon juice, and white wine and served over rice or greens.

Africa

Apr

World Wish Day (1980): April 29

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On April 29, 1980, seven-year-old leukemia patient Christopher James Greicius made a wish. He wished to be a police officer. Family and friends of Greicius worked together to grant his desire ‘to be a police officer.’ From that simple wish, a movement and one of the most beloved charities in the world was born. World Wish Day celebrates the anniversary of the wish and the founding idea behind the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Africa

Apr

Zipper Day, Ntl. (1913): April 29

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ABOUT ZIPPER DAY

On April 29, 1913, Gideon Sunbach received a patent for his zipper invention. It was not an immediate success. Rather, his new technology would take 20 years to find its fans and become ubiquitous in the apparel industry.

THE LONG ROAD TO ZIP

The zipper's origin story unfolds in the late 19th century, when Elias Howe, renowned for his sewing machine invention, was awarded the first patent for a fastening device resembling a zipper in 1851. Despite not pursuing the development of his 'Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure,' Howe's contribution laid the foundation for the zipper.

In 1893, Whitcomb L. Judson, an inventor from Chicago, presented a more refined version of the concept at the World's Columbian Exposition. Judson's 'Clasp Locker,' a fastener for shoes and boots, operated on a hook-and-eye principle, marking a significant step forward in zipper evolution. Judson's invention, though modestly received, set the stage for the zipper's transformation.

The actual leap forward came with the involvement of Gideon Sundback, a Swedish-American electrical engineer. Sundback's improvements to Judson's design were revolutionary. He increased the number of fastening elements from four per inch to about ten or eleven and introduced two facing rows of teeth that were pulled into a single piece by a slider. By December 1913, Sundback had perfected the 'Separable Fastener,' the ancestor of today's zipper. His invention received a patent in 1917. Sundback also created the machine necessary to manufacture the new device, solidifying his place in zipper history.

Despite these advancements, the zipper only caught on after a while. Its initial application was limited to boots and tobacco pouches, and for many years, it remained a novelty rather than a necessity. The fashion industry, in particular, was slow to adopt the zipper, relying instead on buttons and hooks that were seen as more traditional and aesthetically pleasing.

WHY WASN'T THE ZIPPER INITIALLY ACCEPTED?

The zipper's slow acceptance can be attributed to several factors, each presenting a unique challenge:

Accustomed to buttons, the garment industry resisted adopting new and unproven technology.
Refinement was needed to make the zipper more reliable and suitable for mass production.
The outbreak of World War I diverted attention and resources away from the commercial development of consumer products like zippers.

These challenges, however, did not deter the zipper's evolution.

TIRES AND ZIPPERS

The turning point for the zipper came in the late 1920s and early 1930s, nearly two decades after Sundback's patent—the B.F. Goodrich Company noted for its tires, began using zippers in its rubber boots. The company coined the term "zipper" in 1923 because of the sound it made when closing and opening. The practicality and ease of use offered by zippers gradually won over skeptics, and their adoption in children's clothing for its simplicity showcased its potential to the wider apparel industry.

One pivotal moment in the zipper's history was its inclusion in men's trousers, particularly with the introduction of the "Battle of the Fly" in the 1930s. Fashion designers and manufacturers began to see the zipper's potential for creating sleeker, more streamlined garments. By the time World War II began, the zipper had become an essential component of military uniforms, further cementing its place in everyday wear.

CONCLUSION

The history of the zipper is a testament to the challenges of introducing new technologies into traditional industries. Its journey from an overlooked patent to an indispensable part of daily life underscores the interplay between innovation, industry resistance, and the gradual shift in societal norms and practices. The zipper's slow path to acceptance highlights the importance of perseverance and the need for inventions to be technically sound and meet the practical and aesthetic needs of their time.

Africa

Apr

Adopt a Shelter Pet Day: April 30

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National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is an initiative spirited by animal lovers. Falling on April 30 each year, the objective is to put the national spotlight on homeless animals and get them into the caring homes they deserve. Participants are encouraged to write the White House and urge the President to declare this a national day. You can add your signature to the following letter sponsored by Tails Magazine: “Too many homeless animals in the U.S. live most of their lives in shelters without ever knowing the love of a family of their own. According to national studies, six to eight million cats and dogs enter shelters yearly, and three to four million are euthanized annually, losing their chance for human affection forever. To add your name to the above letter, go to: http://www.tailsinc.com/lettersforpets. In the meantime, mark this day by saving a shelter animal and increasing the size of your family with a new friend.

Africa

Apr

Animal Advocacy Day, Ntl.: April 30

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Each year the ASPCA sponsors Animal Advocacy Day to champion the rights of animals. The latest initiative is getting the HEART Act passed through congress. ASPCA explains: "The Help Extract Animals from Red Tape (HEART) Act (H.R. 398/S. 2633) would expedite the lengthy process for rehoming and rehabilitating animals seized in federal animal fighting cases. It would also hold their owners financially responsible for their cost of care, relieving the burden on the shelters that house and care for victims pending the outcome of court proceedings. Notably, the HEART Act would allow courts to consider animals' welfare when facing delays in the judicial process. These victims of animal fighting deserve every chance we can give them to move swiftly to their new lives, and the shelters and law enforcement agencies who come to their rescue should not be hampered by the sometimes overwhelming financial burden of their care." To view the complete act, go to: https://secure.aspca.org/action/us-heart-act.

Africa

Apr

Beltane (UK): April 30

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Beltane (Bealtaine, May Eve, Walpurgis Night, Cyntefyn, Roodmass, and Cethsamhain) is a Wiccan and Celtic neopagans celebration that falls between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. Considered one of the essential celebrations in Gaelic regions, it commemorates the union of the goddess May Lady and the god May Lord. Customs include lighting bonfires and driving cattle between them to protect the animals from disease in the coming year. May flowers are left on doorsteps to ward off evil. Beltane Fire Festival occurs at Calton Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland, every year on April 30.

Africa

Apr

Bugs Bunny Day (1938): April 30

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Bugs Bunny Day marks the anniversary of the creation of the cartoon character "Bugs Bunny," which first appeared in the animated cartoon "Porky's Hare Hunt" on April 30, 1938. Bugs Bunny is the joint creation of Warner Bros. cartoonists Ben Hardaway and Cal Dalton. Between 1938 and 1943, Bugs went through several updates with the help of several animators, including Bob Clampett, and multiple directors, including Tex Avery. During this time, he morphed into the character we know today, helped mainly by the man who gave him the "What's up, Doc?" voice, Mel Blanc. Today is about celebrating his birthday—perhaps with carrot cake? Happy Bugs Bunny Day!

Africa

Apr

Dia de los Libros (US) (1925): April 30

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Public and school libraries celebrate Día de los Libros. Children's Day/Book Day, also known as El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Día). It is an annual observance on April 30 and a year-round commitment to connecting children with diverse books and programming opportunities. Día is an enhancement of Children’s Day, which began in 1925. Children’s Day was designated as a day to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children. In 1996, nationally acclaimed children’s book author Pat Mora proposed linking the celebration of childhood and children with literacy to found El día de los niños/El día de los libros.

Africa

Apr

Hairstylist Appreciation Day: April 30

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The importance of hairstyles throughout human history is indisputable. From the pre-Columbian Americas, through ancient Rome and Egypt, to China, Japan, Africa, and Australia, hairstyle has been a symbol of beauty, status, office, wealth, religion, and, more recently, sexual orientation and rebellion. Hairstylist Appreciation Day is your opportunity to tip your hat to the men and women that keep you looking your best. This day is also noted as Hair Appreciation Day.

Africa

Apr

Honesty Day, Ntl. (1789): April 30

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National Honesty Day is for open communication, absent lies, half-truths, omissions, and obfuscations. National Honesty Day was created by former Maryland state press secretary M. Hirsh Goldberg in the early 1990s as he was writing his book "The Book of Lies: Fibs, Tales, Schemes, Scams, Fakes, and Frauds That Have Changed The Course of History and Affect Our Daily Lives." It commemorates the inauguration of the first president of the United States, George Washington, on April 30, 1789. Washington's legend states that upon chopping down a cherry tree, he admitted it by saying, "I cannot tell a lie. I chopped down the cherry tree." It is also the antithesis of April Fools Day.

Africa