Daily Holidays - January 9

[Sherman A1]

National Apricot Day Apricots ripen in the early summer, but they’re quite commonly dried so that way we can enjoy them year round. The word ‘apricot’ in Latin purportedly means “precious”, but further investigation reveals that while this moniker is appropriate, it actually comes from Arabic ‘al barqūq’ (“early ripe”) via French ‘abricot’. “Early ripe” is appropriate because apricots tend to ripen earlier than most summer fruits. Drying apricots has been a common preservation practice for centuries. Most store-bought apricots retain the bright orange colour that the fruits have when ripe. Organic dried apricots would be more brown in colour and the bright orange is a sign that the fruits were treated with sulphur compounds. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/apricot-day/

Balloon Ascension Day Anyone who has ever been in a hot air balloon will tell you it is an incredible experience, especially if they have been on such a ride in a place that boasts a particularly majestic landscape. It may be hard for us to imagine nowadays, but there was a time, not quite so long ago, when humans had no idea how to go about getting up into the air and staying there in a way we take for granted today, via planes or helicopters. In those days, being able to fly, or even float, was a near-impossible goal that many strove to achieve, but only few succeeded. Jean Pierre Blanchard was one of those who succeeded, and January 9th is the day to remember his feat. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/balloon-ascension-day/

National Static Electricity Day It’s the bane of wool wearers, and the champion of older brothers. Static electricity has been experienced by all of us, whether we’re simply grabbing a door handle on a cool dry day, or experiencing the magnificence of natural lightning. Whether you got it from walking across a carpet in wool socks or from petting your friendly purr-box kitten, static electricity has occasionally added a little spark to your day. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/static-electricity-day/

Clean Off Your Desk Day heralds the beginning of some serious spring cleaning. Do you really need all that junk, old paperwork and mess on your desk? If the answer’s no, take the opportunity to do a little tidying! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/clean-off-your-desk-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january9.html

[femmocrat]

1. It is also Word Nerd Day!

http://www.adweek.com/prnewser/happy-national-word-nerd-day-are-you-a-word-nerd/83139?red=pr

Today's word of the day: Crepitate Definitions for crepitate -- to make a crackling sound; crackle.