February 20 in Pop Culture History |
February 20th is…National Cherry Pie Day: Cherry pie is often considered an “American thing” because it has been a staple of American cuisine for centuries and is often associated with American culture and tradition. The popularity of cherry pie in the United States can be traced back to the colonial era, when settlers used local ingredients, including cherries, to make pies. Cherry pie also holds a special place in American history and culture as a symbol of patriotism and Americana. It is often featured in American literature, film, and other forms of media as a symbol of home, comfort, and life’s simple pleasures. Clean Out Your Bookcase Day: Cleaning your bookcase can be a good way to refresh your reading material, eliminate books you no longer need or want, and free up space in your home. It can also be a good opportunity to rediscover books you may have forgotten about and reflect on your reading habits and preferences. Comfy Day: Don’t worry about how you look on National Comfy Day; focus on being comfortable! Have a movie marathon with your family, curl up with a good book, or enjoy an afternoon nap. To make the most of this special day, remove all technological distractions and take time for yourself. Hoodie Day: A day to recognize the versatility and comfort of hoodies and encourage people to wear them in various settings and occasions. AKA Hoodie Hoo Day is a day to get out and enjoy the fresh air, shake off the winter blues, and greet the arrival of spring. Leadership Day: The celebrations for National Leadership Day have grown over the years, with many organizations hosting events, seminars, and workshops to encourage others to become better leaders and to recognize those who already are. There are also awards given out each year in recognition of leadership excellence. (also September 4) Love Your Pet Day is celebrated on February 20th to recognize the special bond between people and their pets and show appreciation for the love and companionship that pets bring into our lives. Pets have been a part of human lives for thousands of years, and for many people, their pets are more than just animals – they are valued family members. Pets bring joy, comfort, and unconditional love into our lives, and this holiday is a way to celebrate that relationship and to show gratitude for the positive impact that pets have on our lives. National Muffin Day is a day to honor one of the sweetest treats around – muffins! A wide variety of muffins are available to enjoy, from classic blueberry and chocolate chip muffins to savory options like feta and spinach. This tasty treat can be enjoyed anytime – for breakfast, lunch, or even as a snack. |
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1792 – The United States Post Office became a cabinet position under President George Washington. In 1971, the Post Office became an independent corporation. 1816 – Rossini’s opera The Barber of Seville premiered at the Teatro Argentina in Rome. 1872 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened in New York City. 1872 – Luther Childs Crowell (#123,811) received the patent for a machine for manufacturing square-bottom paper bags. We still use the design today. 1877 – Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake gave its premiere performance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. 1921 – The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, starring Rudolph Valentino, was released in theaters. 1931 – San Francisco got approval from the US Congress to build the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. 1943 – American movie studio executives agreed to allow the Office of War Information to censor movies. 1962 – Launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, John Hershel Glenn Jr. successfully went into space aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft on the first orbital flight by an American astronaut. 1965 – # 1 Hit February 20, 1965 – March 5, 1965: Gary Lewis & The Playboys – This Diamond Ring 1979 – This Old House premiered on PBS. 1986 – The Soviet Union launched the Mir space station into orbit. 1986 – After about a century of planning and a millennium of wishing, it was announced that the “Chunnel” between the UK and France would be built. Construction began in December 1987, and the “chunnel” was finally completed in 1994. 1988 – # 1 Hit February 20, 1988 – February 26, 1988: Exposé – Seasons Change 1995- A short called “Changes,” which was the pilot for Dexter’s Laboratory, aired on Cartoon Network. It was a huge success and is credited with helping launch the animation careers of Butch Hartman, Craig McCracken, and Seth MacFarlane. 1996- VH1 Storytellers debuted on VH1 1998 – American figure skater Tara Lipinski became the youngest gold-medal winner at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan 2001 – FBI agent Robert Hanssen was arrested and charged with spying for the Russians for 15 years 2003 – Great White’s pyrotechnics went out of control, burning down Rhode Island’s ‘The Station’ nightclub and taking 100 lives. 2005 – Robot Chicken premiered on Adult Swim. 2013 – The smallest extrasolar planet, Kepler-37b, was discovered. |