February 21 in Pop Culture History

February 21st is…

Card Reading Day: A day to celebrate the art and practice of card reading, including tarot and oracle cards.

Grain-free Day is a holiday dedicated to raising awareness and supporting individuals with dietary restrictions related to grains. The day’s focus is to encourage the exploration of alternative food choices and celebrate the ingenuity of those who must adhere to grain-free diets. Grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye, are a staple in many diets worldwide, but for those with certain health conditions or food sensitivities, they can be problematic. For this reason, National Grain-Free Day serves as an opportunity to show support for loved ones who must restrict their grain intake and to help educate others about the importance of accommodating dietary needs. The day encourages everyone to embrace new and exciting food choices, experiment with grain-free recipes, and appreciate the ingenuity of those who have adapted to this diet.

International Mother Language Day is observed annually on February 21 by the United Nations and its member states. The day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The day celebrates the importance of preserving and promoting the use of mother tongues, the first languages people learn and the ones that carry cultural and emotional significance. International Mother Language Day is also a time to reflect on the role of language in promoting and maintaining cultural heritage and raise awareness about the importance of preserving linguistic diversity.

Sticky Bun Day: The exact origin of the sticky bun is somewhat disputed, but it is believed to have been created by German bakers in Pennsylvania, who took traditional cinnamon rolls and added extra sweetness and stickiness by coating the bottom of the pan with a mixture of sugar and butter. Another theory is that the sticky bun was created by Pennsylvania Dutch bakers, who also had a tradition of making sweet, yeasted pastries. The sticky bun is a type of pastry made with a soft, yeasted dough that is often coated in a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter before being baked.

1848 – The Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, was published in London by a group of German-born revolutionary known as the Communist League.

1866 – Lucy B. Hobbs became the first woman to graduate from a dental school.

1878 – The first telephone directory in the US, listing about 50 names, was issued by the New Haven Telephone Company in New Haven, Connecticut.

1885 – The Washington Monument was dedicated. It was opened to the public about three years later. At 555 feet 5 1/8 inches, it was the tallest structure in the world until the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889. The 555-foot-high marble obelisk was first proposed in 1783 and had countless delays, including the American Civil War.

1925 – The New Yorker magazine began publication.

1947 – A year before it became commercially available, Edwin Land demonstrated the Polaroid Land Camera to the Optical Society of America in New York City.

1948 – The National Association for Stock Car Racing – NASCAR – was founded.

1953 – The structure of the DNA molecule was discovered by Francis Crick and James D. Watson

1958 – The internationally recognized peace symbol was designed in 1958 by Gerald Holtom as the logo for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

1965 – Members of the Nation of Islam allegedly assassinated Malcolm X in the Audubon Ballroom in New York City.

1991 – Lost in Yonkers premiered in NYC at the Richard Rodger Theatre.

1997 – The all-digital Wheel of Fortune board was introduced.

2004 – # 1 Hit February 21, 2004 – February 27, 2004: Twista featuring Kanye West and Jamie Foxx – Slow Jamz

2009 – # 1 Hit February 21, 2009 – February 27, 2009: Eminem featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent – Crack a B