Did you set your clocks back last night? How did you spend your extra hour? Did you use it to sleep? Did you use it to read? Let us know what you did with the extra 60 minutes in the comments below.
Zero Tasking Day is always the same day that Daylight Savings Time ends. Currently it is the first Sunday of November. This day was created by Nancy Christie, who is the author of The Gifts of Change. According to Christie, this day is to fill that extra 60 minutes with nothing. In other words, take this “extra” time and rest, give yourself a break from all the hustle and bustle of your everyday life.
The United States introduced an income tax exactly one hundred years ago today.
Washington, D.C. residents were able to vote in a presidential election for the first time on November 3, 1964.
Today is Cliché day. Use clichés as much as possible today. Hey, why not? Give it a shot! Win some, lose some. You’ll never know ’til you try it.
Diwali begins today. This five day Hindu festival is also known as the “festival of lights” and since it starts on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha of the Hindu calendar month Ashwin the date varies in the Gregorian calendar that most of us are used to. It is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Sinapore, and Fiji. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC. For Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important because it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes with him, in 1619. The name “Diwali” or “Divali” is a contraction of deepavali which translates into “row of lamps”. Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one’s house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst because it is believed that it drives away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family and friends. The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival is called the Naraka Chaturdasi. Amavasya, the third day of Diwali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The fourth day of Diwali is known as Kartika Shudda Padyami. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya, and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.
November 3rd is Housewife’s Day, a day to recognize the importance of stay at home wives and moms. Also referred to as “Retro” Housewife Day. These wonderful, caring creatures, build and enrich strong family environments. They help to instill family values and good character. Housewife is an old term that hails back to the days when one income could support the family in a manner of comfort. It was also a time when women did not have equal rights. While these days are long gone, women views of working or staying at home, fall on both sides of the fence. The decision to be a “housewife”, or stay at home mom, is still preferred by many. Unfortunately, income needs often necessitate going to work. Today we celebrate and thank all of the ladies who choose to stay home and tend to the house and family.
We invite you to bite into your favorite sandwich, for today is Sandwich Day. The sandwich is truly a great creation. Sandwiches are a daily luncheon staple for millions of Americans. The annals of English history report that John Montagu was the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Among other things, the 4th Earl of Sandwich was a heavy gambler. Montagu often spent many long hours in London’s gambling parlors. In 1762, he created the sandwich, by putting meat between two pieces of bread. This allowed him to remain at the gambling table for long periods of time. Obviously, the sandwich was named after him.
Some of the writers born November 3rd include:
Lucan (39), Thomas Kyd (1558), William Cullen Bryant (1794), Karl Baedeker (1801), Samuil Marshak (1887), Harry Stephen Keeler (1890), André Malraux (1901), James Reston (1909), Jesús Blasco (1919), Ludovic Kennedy (1919), Oodgeroo Noonuccal (1920), Yamaguchi HItomi (1923), Martin Cruz Smith (1949), Anna Wintour (1949), Massimo Mongai (1950), Joe Queenan (1950), Roseanne Barr (1952), Ann Scott (1965), and Ben Fogle (1973).
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