January 31 - Guy in a Hot Box

 Many of you may know of the relevance of November 5th as the day that the Gunpowder Plot was discovered and stopped - but it took until today in 1606 for the trials to conclude and execute the conspirators.

Execution for treason is especially gruesome as they were hanged, drawn and quartered.  Although, it should technically be 'drawn' (by carriage to the place of execution), hanged (almost to the point of death) and then quartered (cut into 4 pieces, usually after disemboweling).

So Guy Fawkes's death, and then 375 years later, Justin Timberlake is born.

The now 41 year old you may recognize from such hits as D*ck in a Box, Motherlovers and 3-Way (the Golden Rule).  And I think a few other things, but probably not as important.

As it's still pretty cold around in my neck of the woods, so why not stay warm with a cup of Hot Chocolate.  If you're in the US today is National Hot Chocolate Day.

So, do you put marshmallows in BEFORE or after?

January 28 - blocks for flags

 In 1949, a little company from Denmark started to build plastic blocks, and it wasn't until this day in 1958 that the patent for the little Lego was filed.

What an amazing little toy that nearly anybody over the world has probably played with (or stepped on).

And although officially the new Canadian flag wasn't officially adopted by Canada until later in the year, it was this day that the design was chosen in Parliament in 1965.

January 27 - Reading to the Wolf for Freedom

 On an absolutely sombre note today it is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

It was on this day in 1945 that the Auschwitz camp was freed.  To think about it really puts a knot in your stomach, and it's disgusting to think that the anti-maskers out there try to tie parallels to it.

On a lighter note, and one who understood 'notes', it's the birthday of Mozart.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born today in 1756 and penned tons of what was the pop music of his day.  It's that music that I I know, but I don't realize I know it.

So go ahead and listen to some of his work and work in relaxation today.

And if you're relaxing, why not take some time to read with your family.  It's Family Literacy Day.

I remember when we had Dean that was the one thing they had said was the best indicator of success - just read.

And while you're reading, you may find out that today was the start of the trials of the Gunpowder Plot way back in 1606.

January 26 - The Great Ones shipped to Australia

 If you're Canadian and I say the 'great one', there's only one name that pops to mind.  Wayne Gretzky.

That legend turns 61 today.

Another legend, who passed away in 2020 was Eddie Van Halen.

The 'hot for teacher' guitar shredder would have been 67 today.

It's also "Australia Day".

The land down under celebrates the 1788 fleet landing and the British flag raised on this day back then.

If you're going to visit Australia, you might have to pass through customs - and well, today is International Customs Day.

Who doesn't enjoy that process of "anything to declare"?

Kinda miss travelling.

January 25 - Upper Chemical Haggis

 A day that mixes Scottish and chemistry together.

In 1627, Robert Boyle was born.

Famous for chemists everywhere who refer to Boyle's Gas Law where the if the mass and temperature of a gas stay constant, the pressure and volume are related in the P1V1 = P2V2.

Eventually folks would refine it towards the "ideal gas law" of PV=nRT.  But, Boyle got that train moving.

Another famous Robert born this day was the immortal poet, Robert Burns.  he was born today in 1759.

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,

Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!

Known the world over as "Rabbie", he's the bard of Scotland and it's traditional to have a "Burns Night" dinner in his honour with some traditional neeps and tatties with your haggis.

Now, a little closer to home, in 1791 the British Parliamen tpassed the Constitutional Act which helped to separate Upper and Lower Canada (English and French speaking regions), creating governance models within Canada for Canada.

This lasted until about 1841 when the Union Act came in and established the 'Province of Canada'.

January 24 - Scout's Honour I learned it from Neil

 I love my wife, and sometimes she and her family can come up with the quirkiest things for a sense of humour.  For example, when riding in the car with the radio on, they like to ask "is this Neil Diamond" regardless of whatever song is on.

Well, today is Neil Diamond's birthday.  He's 82.

Don't know who Neil Diamond is?  Well, just say "Sweet Caroline" to just about anybody and they'll finish "ba ba-da..." 

Some proper learning for ya... which is appropriate as it's International Day of Education.

Set up in 2018 from the UN to celebrate the role education has in bringing peace and sustainable development.

When I was young, one of the places I learned (aside from school) was at my boy scouts troop.  I remember being in Beavers, and I remember Scouts just a little bit (and you had to bring your kerchief and woggle else you had a 25 cent fine).

The first Boy Scout troop was set up by Baden-Powell on this day back in 1908.

BP had released his official guide book the "Scouting for Boys" and the first troops met

January 21 - Did Lincoln Travel Back in Time?

 My wife's favourite movie, or one of her favourites, is Back to the Future ... had it not been for that movie, many people may have never known about the DeLorean.

The DeLorean Motor Company started it's production of the infamous vehicle back in 1981 and the first production unit rolled off on this day back then.

I always thought DMC was for Detroit, but it turns out this was actually assembled in Ireland.

Someone eventually got it up to 88 miles per hour and it made history.

Someone else who made history was a man by the name of Lincoln Alexander.  For Canada, he was the first Black member of Canadian Parliament (back in 1968) and became the lieutenant-governor of Ontario (1985-1991).

In 2015 Canada announced that his birthday, January 21st, would be forever known as Lincoln Alexander Day.  He would have been 100 years old today.

January 20 - Some customers are cheesey, no bones about it

 Today is a bunch of American observances, just to let you know.  Canada didn't have anything I could find.

First up, I like this as it's something I like to talk about with my clients as well - it's getting to know your customers.  

The US holds "Get To Know Your Customers Day" every third Thursday in each quarter.

Interesting.

Also interesting was that yesterday I found out that 'quark' is a type of cheese, and it was World Quark Day, but then today is the US's Cheese Lovers Day.

What's your favourite kind of cheese?  I love an Abbot's Gold.  Mmm...

Speaking of cheesy, there's nothing quite so cheesy and almost cringy was the original Star Trek.  Especially the lines that Bones would always make "dammit Jim, I'm a doctor not a ..." and insert whatever weird thing they were going to get into.

The actor who played Leonard "Bones" McCoy was DeForest Kelly.

He was born today in 1920, but then later passed in 1999.

January 19 - the littlest piece of the heart of an atom

 Janis Joplin had an amazing voice - it was strong with depth and a bit of harshness to it with still that feminine soul.

That soul was born today in 1943.

Like some very popular musicians, she passed away at the age of 27.

Now, if you ask me, a quark is a subatomic particle... that to be honest, I don't really understand, however in the minds of others, 'quark' or sometimes 'quarq' is a type of cheese.

Apparently today is set aside to celebrate this type of cheese.

World Quark Day is January 19th.

I still want to celebrate the mini quarks.

January 18 - Oh Bother what a mess you've gotten us into

 It's another snowy day in Canada - we're expecting a large amount of snow (not as much as our Southern Ontario friends got yesterday, but enough).  Another Canadian pastime is hockey, and the ever famous Mark Messier turns 61 today.

Did you know, he's the only player to have won the cup with 2 different teams as captain.

It's also the birthday of the author of the Winnie-the-Pooh series of books.  

The Hundred Acre Wood and its denizens were the brainchild of Alan Alexander Milne, and he would have been 140 years old today!

It would have also been Oliver Hardy's 130th birthday today.  

Ollie, one half of the famous "Laurel & Hardy" comedy act was the portly fairly straight main to the tall simpleton of Laurel.  I love their shows growing up.  Simple humour that is absolutely timeless.

January 17 - Zooey & Raoul love their pets

 Canada had its first ever "Honorary Citizen" awarded back in 2017 on this day, given to a Raoul Wallenberg, who helped protect Jewish individuals in Europe travel as Swedish subjects.

It's also the birthdays of Zooey Deschanel (turning 42) and Betty White (she would have been 100).

2 actresses that I've always adored, and an absolute loss for Betty's passing.  She always loved animals and did a lot for charities, so it has been suggested that you donate $5 to your local animal shelter in her honour.

January 14 - the logic of Michael Bluth

 January 14th brought one of my favourite actors in to the world - Jason Bateman.  This guy has had a lot of different roles, and very rarely have I not liked any of them.

He's 53 today.

My favourite of his roles is the logical Michael Bluth from Arrested Development.  Which is fitting as it's also World Logic Day!

I do love a good Logic Puzzle

January 13 - Elaine goes to prison on TV

 There are some definite memorable moments in TV out there, such as the Elaine dance from Seinfeld.

Actress, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, will always be remembered in my mind for that moment.  She's turning 61 today.

Ah TV... where would we be without you.  It was on this day in 1928 that RCA and GE put out 3 television sets in New York to demonstrate how it could work.

It was a 1.5" screen!  Can you imagine.

It was also on this day that in 1968 Johnny Cash performed live in Folsom State Prison.