#VirtualBGCWC - May 4-9, 2020

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May the Fourth be with you each year on National Star Wars Day. Or is it, “May the force be with you?” It all depends on whether you like using puns or not.

Thousands of Star Wars enthusiasts celebrate this day each year with parties and celebrations around the nation.

Star Wars fans didn’t first introduce the often quoted phrase on May 4th. It was 1979, and Britain elected the first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. On May 4th, the day she took office, the Conservative Party placed an advertisement in The London Evening News, which read, “May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations.”

Star Wars creator, George Lucas, was asked during a 2005 interview on a German news TV channel to say the famous sentence “May the Force Be with You.” Upon doing so, the interpreter interpreted the sentence into German as Am4 Mai sind wir bei Ihnen (On May 4 we are with you). TV Total captured this and aired it on May 18, 2005.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalStarWarsDay

Wear your Wookie costume or bring your lightsaber. The prepare for warp speed. Wherever you go, may the fourth be with you. Oh, and be sure to watch some Star Wars films or play some trivia. Make some outer space snacks to enjoy, too. Use #NationalStarWarsDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL STAR WARS DAY HISTORY

National Star Wars Day was first organized in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Toronto Underground Cinema in 2011. Produced by Sean Ward and Alice Quinn, festivities included an Original Trilogy Trivia Game Show, a costume contest, and the web’s best tribute films, mash-ups, parodies, and remixes on the big screen. May 4th was chosen because of the play on words.

Cinco De Mayo’s deeply rooted history in the Franco-Mexican War influenced Mexican-Mexican American communities in the early years of the American Civil War. In the early 1860s, as the Civil War erupted, these communities took up the banner of the Cinco De Mayo celebration as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy. Today, in the United States, Americans celebrate Mexican-American heritage and pride annually on May 5th.

Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for “fifth of May.”

On June 7, 2005, the United States Congress issued a Concurrent Resolution. The resolution invited the President of the United States to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

According to José Alamillo, professor of ethnic studies at Washington State University in Pullman, a 2006 study found more than 150 official events celebrating the day.

Celebrations surrounding the observance in the United States take on a significance beyond that in Mexico. They include displaying of banners and events highlighting Mexican culture, music, and regional dancing. School districts also hold special events to educate students about its historical significance. In the U.S., commercial interests the day by celebrating Mexican products and services with an emphasis on beverages, food, and music.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CincodeMayo

Celebrate Mexican heritage, culture, and history. Explore foods and traditions, music, and cinema. Immerse yourself in the language and discover new connections. Uncover long lost history and share your treasures. Share your Mexican heritage and use #CincodeMayo to post on social media.

CINCO DE MAYO HISTORY

In 1861, the Battle of Puebla pitched 6,000 French troops against a small, under-supplied Mexican force of 2,000 men. Not expecting to win the campaign, the Mexican army overcame the French in under a day. While the battle didn’t win the war, the victory held great symbolism for Mexico during the Franco-Mexican War and buoyed the army throughout the conflict. Each year, Mexico commemorates the day with celebrations across the country, though it is not a federal holiday.

• NATIONAL NURSES WEDNESDAY

National Nurses Day is observed annually on May 6. On this day, we raise awareness of all nurse contributions and commitments and acknowledge the vital role nurses play in society. This day is also the first day of National Nurses Week and is sometimes known as National RN Recognition Day. 

National Nurses Week begins May 6 and ends on May 12, which is the birthday of Florence Nightingale (May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910). Florence Nightingale was a celebrated English, social reformer, statistician, and the founder of modern nursing. She became well-known while taking care of the wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. Nightingale was dubbed “The Lady with the Lamp” because of her habit of making rounds at night.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalNursesDay

Recognize nurses everywhere. Celebrate their dedication and commitment to their patients and their profession. Tell someone about the excellent care you’ve received from a nurse.

When you visit the doctor or have surgery, follow the instructions they give you, especially follow up care. Ask questions, so they know when you need more information. They can’t read your minds. 

Give nurses you know a shout out and thank them for their hard work, especially during these challenging times. 

Use #NationalNursesDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL NURSES DAY HISTORY

In 1953, Dorothy Sutherland, an employee at the United States Department of Health, sent a letter to President Eisenhower proposing a National Nurses Day. An official proclamation was not made. The following year people began celebrating National Nurses Week on their own.

In 1974, President Nixon proclaimed a National Nurse Week. New Mexico nurses initiated a resolution in 1981 to have May 6th declared National Recognition Day for Nurses. The American Nurses Association (ANA) Board of Directors took up the banner and promoted the proposal. In 1982, the United States Congress designated May 6th to be National Recognition Day for Nurses and President Ronald Reagan signed the proposal. The ANA Board of Directors later expanded the celebration in 1990 to a week-long celebration (May 6-12) known as National Nurses Week. 

National Teacher Appreciation Week in May honors those men and women who have dedicated their lives to educating the masses.

The entire week focuses on those amazing and inspiring people who see the talent and skills in even the meekest of us. Teachers manage to zero in on the one ability that will help us focus and master a topic, or at least get through it. They turn Greek into…well…Greek! Chemistry is magical and algebra is something you might actually use. These are the reasons we appreciate our teachers.

Public and private school teachers provide students with the tools and resources they will build upon for the rest of their lives. Not only do they educate, but they also serve as mentors and guide our youth, too.

HOW TO OBSERVE #TeacherAppreciationWeek

Visit www.pta.org for ways to thank a teacher. From Amazing to Zealous and every adjective in between, use all your adjectives to describe how terrific your teachers are. Support teachers by volunteering in the classrooms. Ask teachers in your area what their most important needs are. Send a shout out to a fantastic teacher, past or present using #TeacherAppreciationWeek on social media.

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK HISTORY

The National PTA founded Teacher Appreciation Week in 1984.

National Butterscotch Brownie Day is observed annually on May 9. Butterscotch Brownies are also known as Blondies or Brookie (brownie + cookie). Blonde brownies were actually created before the chocolate brownies. Butterscotch brownies are made up of flour, brown sugar, butter, eggs, baking powder and vanilla. Walnuts, pecans or butterscotch chips are sometimes added to the brownies.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Want to keep it simple? Enjoy this recipe from Taste of Home for Butterscotch Brownie Day and share with us using #ButterscotchBrownieDay. Don’t forget to serve your butterscotch brownie topped with ice cream and butterscotch or caramel sauce. YUM!!! Use #NationalButterscotchBrownieDay to share on social media. 

HISTORY

Butterscotch Brownies are a deliciously sweet dessert bar that dates back to the 19th century. Sadly, we were unable to identify the founder of National Butterscotch Brownie Day.