Royal Arcanum News and Events

 

May 02, 2023 Newsletter #59

Hi Member, The fifth month of the year is here! Enjoy one of the most exciting months of the year, and don't forget our fraternal responsibilities: need knows no season.   Happy Mother's Day Learn about the history of the celebration of our mothers. Gardening Tips Planting season is here! Get a few basic gardening tips to make your gardens look spectacular this year. The Month of May Facts Do you know your calendar facts? Amaze or bore your friends with these tidbits. May is the Month of... Holidays, observances, fun days and history is on display for the month of May. Inspirational Quote This month's quote comes from an inspirational writer born in Ghana, who is the author of ‘The Alphabet of Success’. Upcoming Dates Update your calendar with these important dates    Happy Mother's Day!   In ancient times, the Greeks celebrated Rhea, the mother of the gods Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. The Romans adapted the festivals to celebrate the mother goddess Cybele. Early Christians in turn transformed such celebrations to honor the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. December 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception (the date celebrating her conception), and that date is today a Mother’s Day celebration in some countries. In the 17th century, England began celebrating Mothering Sunday, which is also known as Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is celebrated as a day when children give presents and flowers to their mothers, observed on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This year, it was on March 19. In the United States, the holiday is traced back to Anna Reeves Jarvis, an activist from what was then Virginia (later the area that is now West Virginia). She organized Mother’s Day Work Clubs to improve the health conditions in the area. During the civil war, they altered their mission to provide aid to both Union and Confederate soldiers, and she urged her clubs to stay neutral and support both sides. After the war, her club members planned a Mothers Friendship Day for soldiers of both sides to help with the healing of the nation, which was held in 1868. Her daughter, Anna Maria Jarvis, organized a memorial to her mother on the first anniversary of her death in May 1907. The next year, Anna organized the first official observance of Mother’s Day, which was held on the morning of May 10, 1908. She went on to petition to make Mother’s Day an officially recognized holiday and achieved her goal when President Woodrow Wilson signed a congressional resolution in 1914, establishing the second Sunday of May as national Mother’s Day.  The story doesn’t end there. Jarvis had started Mother’s Day as a liturgical service and began to resent the commercialization of the holiday. By the 1920s, when companies such as Hallmark Cards began selling Mother’s Day cards and worked to make a profit from the holiday, she worked to bring it back to its original celebration. She organized boycotts of Mother’s Day and even threatened lawsuits, and tried to persuade people to honor their mothers through handwritten letters instead of gifts and pre-made cards. It should be noted that she trademarked the phrase “Second Sunday in May, Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis, Founder” and specifically noted that the Mother’swas intentionally singular possessive so that each family could honor its own mother, rather than a general celebration of all mothers in the world. That’s why today we celebrate Mother’s Day and not Mothers’ Day.    Gardening Tips May is the prime time for gardening in the northern regions of the country. The common rule of thumb is to hold off planting until after Mother’s Day. Why? It’s really about overnight frost, which can kill new seedlings. Historically, the middle of May is when morning frosts are mostly gone for the growing season. It may not be the case where you live (or may not be the case in this changing global climate), but it does remind you you should be aware of the historical frost dates where you live. Here’s a handy to-do list that will help you to plant and keep your gardens thriving throughout the season. Start a gardening journal. It will help you to track your progress throughout the season and learn what works and what doesn’t for future years. Be sure to water your gardens. New plants are thirsty Don’t forget to deadhead your spring bulbs, pansies, and primroses when they are finished blooming. It will keep them from spending energy producing seeds. Use fertilizer to provide your plants with the nutrients they need Keep on your weeding, once weeds gain control, it’s hard to regain mastery over them. Check for pest infestations, weeds aren’t the only enemies of your garden Prune shrubs that bloom on old wood after they are done flowering Protect your plants against any late frost that occurs Consult the Farmer’s Almanac (https://www.almanac.com/gardening/tips) or other gardening sources for specifics for your region.    The Month of May Facts The month of May is an adaptation of the Latin word Maius, which is the Greek goddess of growth. This was the month’s name commonly used until the Middle Ages. In medieval Europe, May was celebrated by erecting a long pole and attaching flowers and ribbons, and dancing around the maypole. The meaning and origin of the tradition are unclear and often debated. May’s birthstone is the emerald; its green coloring is symbolic of rebirth and fertility. The French word for emerald is jardin, which means “garden” Speaking of (or in) French: when voice communication began to replace Morse code, the distress call of SOS was often misheard. It was changed by Frederick Mockford to use the phrase “help me”, which in French is “m’aider” and pronounced “mayday” The day of the week that May 1st falls on will be the only month that is started on that day. Similarly, no other month will end on the same day of the week that May 31st falls on. This is true even in leap years.    May is the month of...     Awarenesses   MONTH Arthritis Awareness Month Arthritis is the leading cause of disability, affecting more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children in America. There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis and related diseases related to the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints, causing pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Causes can differ, with factors that include your family history, age, sex, previous joint injury, and obesity.   Electromagnetic Radiation Awareness Month Electromagnetic radiation is everywhere, from the sun’s rays to lightning in a thunderstorm to the humble microwave oven. Many types are unsafe if exposed for a long time or repeatedly, X-rays and gamma rays being prime examples. They can alter you at a  biochemical level and damage your DNA, causing cancer or death. Electromagnetic Radiation Awareness Month aims to raise the knowledge of the health concerns related to electromagnetic radiation and to understand when safe levels. Learn about the precautions you should take against exposure and how to live safely in a world where electromagnetic radiation surrounds us.   National High Blood Pressure Education Month   One in three adults in the U.S. has hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. For those without it, learn what you can do to prevent it, from sticking to a healthy diet, keeping a healthy weight, staying physically active, not smoking and limiting alcohol intake, and getting enough sleep. Sometimes, these changes can even reverse high blood pressure. Learn how to control your high blood pressure with advice from your doctor, including home monitoring and medications.   WEEKS Dog Anxiety Awareness Week The first full week in May (May 1-7) observes Dog Anxiety Awareness Week. More than half of all dogs suffer from anxiety, fear, or stress, from things such as the fear of noise, separation, travel, or in reaction to other dogs or people. Symptoms can range from moderate to extreme, from hiding, running away, destructive behavior, or others. Learn to recognize the signs and work to eliminate the causes for your best friend. Teacher Appreciation Week Celebrate the men and women that dedicate their lives to sharing knowledge! Show your appreciation to teachers and the profession from May 8-12 during Teacher Appreciation Week. DAYS Childhood Stroke Awareness Day - May 6 Observed annually on the first Saturday in May, Childhood Stroke Awareness Day hopes to raise awareness of strokes in children, which ranks among the top 10 causes of pediatric deaths, and to learn to recognize the symptoms and urgent care recommendations.   International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases - May 12   International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (M.E./C.F.S) Awareness Day is set aside to support and recognize those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other immunological and neurological diseases. May 12th was chosen to honor the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who was born in Florence, Italy in 1820 and was thought to suffer from M.E./C.F.S.   National Senior Fraud Awareness Day - May 15   First established in 2018, National Senior Fraud Awareness Day looks to raise awareness of fraudulent schemes aimed against older adults. More than $36 billion is lost to fraud every year. Fraud has been recorded as far back as 300 B.C., and it is especially egregious when scams are aimed at stealing the life savings of seniors.   Global Accessibility Awareness Day - May 18   Global Accessibility Awareness Day is intended to raise discussions and thoughts about extending digital access and inclusion of those with disabilities. It originated in 2012, inspired by a blog post by web developer Joe Devon. It is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of May.   Holidays and Observances   World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on May 3, as enacted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1993. It recognizes the importance of independent press freedom and honors those in the press who have been killed because of their profession.   Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration on May 5 commemorating Mexico’s 1862 victory over the 2nd French Empire at the Battle of Puebla. It is a relatively minor celebration in Mexico (and not the same as Mexican Independence Day, which is on September 16), but it has become popular in the United States when Chicano activists raised awareness in the 1960s due to it being a victory of Indigenous Mexicans over European invaders.   Europe Day is an international celebration observed on May 5 by the Council of Europe, and on May 9 by the European Union. The Council of Europe originally established it in 1964 to celebrate its founding. The European Community, now known as the European Union, decided to move it to May 9 to celebrate the Schuman Declaration in 1950, which first outlined the idea of uniting the European countries as a single economic power.   Military Spouse Appreciation Day is celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day, which falls on May 12 this year. It was originally proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 to recognize the sacrifices and contributions made by military spouses. Congress made it official in 1999 to make it part of National Military Appreciation Month.   World Migratory Bird Day will be on May 13 and is observed annually on the 2nd Saturday of May in Canada and the US. Its 2023 focus is on the importance of water for migratory birds, and the importance of maintaining clean water in the lakes, rivers, and wetlands that they rely upon.   Mother’s Day is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in May, on May 14 this year. Be sure to celebrate your mother in a special and personal way.   International Day of Light originated by UNESCO, who chose May 16 because, on that date in 1960, the first laser was fired. It recognizes light as a universal symbol of life and seeks to allow light to help foster peaceful communications between nations.   Created in 1949, Armed Forces Day was created to replace separate celebrations for the different branches of military service. It was first celebrated on May 20, 1950   Victoria Day is a Canadian federal holiday that was created to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday on May 24. In 1952, the date was officially changed to the Monday preceding May 25, so this year it falls on May 22. Since 1953, it has also been celebrated as the Sovereign’s birthday (for Queen Elizabeth) instead of her actual April 21st birthday.   On May 24, 2005, National Brother Day was first celebrated by organizer Daniel Rhodes. It is primarily a US celebration, but several other countries, including Australia, France, and Germany also celebrate it on May 24.   The last Monday of May is celebrated as Memorial Day. It honors the men and women who have died while serving in the military. Originally formed as Decoration Day because people were encouraged to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers after the Civil War, Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. This year, it is on May 29.   Fun Days   Star Wars Day is celebrated because “May 4” sounds similar to the beginning of the famous line “May the force be with you.” It’s as good a reason as any to rewatch the movies about a galaxy far, far away. https://www.starwars.com/star-wars-day   The Kentucky Derby has been running annually since 1875 on the 1st Saturday of May (with only two exceptions). On May 6, the 149th Run for the Roses will celebrate what is called the greatest two minutes in sports as many celebrate with traditions of drinking Mint Juleps and singing Old Kentucky Home. https://www.kentuckyderby.com   World Laughter Day is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of May, or May 7 in 2023. Giggle, chuckle, guffaw, or laugh your head off. https://www.worldlaughterday.com   National Chocolate Chip Day is strongly associated with chocolate chip cookies, which began as an accidental baking failure (at least according to the Nestle story). In the late 1930s, Ruth Wakefield, owner of the Toll House Inn, added Nestle’s semi-sweet chocolate, cut into bits, to create solid chocolate cookies. It didn’t work, but the famous cookie was born. Interestingly, Nestle didn’t then — and still doesn’t — call their product “chips”, they call them “morsels”. Nevertheless, the Toll House cookies became known as chocolate chip cookies by 1941. Does all this history make you hungry? Celebrate with however you like your chocolate chips on May 15. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-chocolate-chip-day-may-15/   Those who like to dress in dark clothing and pale makeup will be celebrating World Goth Day on May 22. It originated in the U.K. in 2009, and defines itself as “a day where the goth scene gets to celebrate its own being, and an opportunity to make its presence known to the rest of the world.” http://www.worldgothday.com   National Wine Day will be toasted on May 25. Its exact origins are unknown, but glasses have been lifted in its honor at least to 2009, which is surprisingly recent considering the beverage traces its history back thousands of years. https://www.ibtimes.com/national-wine-day-2022-facts-know-about-age-old-beverage-3520242   Towel Day is a celebration for fans of Douglas Adams and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The book says it “is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.” It was first celebrated two weeks after Adams’ death on May 11, 2001, and is celebrated every year on May 25. https://www.towelday.org   National Hamburger Day is celebrated on May 28 (not to be confused with the August 24th celebration of National Burger Day). The sandwich is named for its origins in Hamburg, Germany from at least 1758, where it was called “Hamburg Sausage.” It is known to have been in the United States at least by the 1870s and was served at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. It became extremely popular in America at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and has gone on to become an iconic American food. https://time.com/4342423/national-hamburger-day-history-origins-inventor/   National Biscuit Day celebrates all forms of biscuits, which range from cookies to the pastry that accompanies by sausage gravy in decadent breakfasts. Biscuit is a French word that translates to cookie, but most Americans think of the quick break that was a 1630s favorite of King Charles of England. Similar to scones, but with different ratios and using baking soda, biscuits are a good choice on May 29. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/biscuit-day/ Historical Events   May 1, 1931 - The Empire State Building officially opens, and becomes the tallest building in the world until 1971 May 4, 1886 - A labor protest rally in Chicago turns violent and becomes known as the Haymarket Square Riot May 4, 1932 - Al Capone starts serving his sentence as convict 40886…for Income Tax Evasion May 4, 1970 - The Ohio National Guard fires on protestors at Kent State University, killing 4 and injuring 10 others May 5, 1891 - Music Hall officially opens in New York City; it is later renamed Carnegie Hall May 5, 1961 - Alan B. Shepard Jr. becomes the first American in space May 6, 1937 - The largest dirigible ever built, the airship Hindenburg, bursts into flames May 6, 1954 - Roger Bannister becomes the first person to break the 4-minute mile May 7, 1915 - The British Ocean liner Lusitania is sunk off the Irish coast, killing nearly 1,200 people May 8, 1970 - The Beatles release their final original album, Let It Be May 11, 1934 - A dust storm 1,500 miles long, 900 miles wide, and two miles high moves across the Midwest May 11, 1953 - The first recorded F5 tornado in the U.S. roared through Waco, Texas May 21, 1881 - The American Red Cross is founded May 24, 1883 - The Brooklyn Bridge over the East River opens to traffic May 25, 1925 - High school teacher John Scopes is indicted for teaching the theory of evolution May 26, 1896 - The Dow Jones Industrial Average was first published, with the initial value of 12 stocks averaged to 40.94 May 27, 1937 - The Golden Gate Bridge is opened to pedestrian traffic; more than 200,000 people walk across May 29, 1942 - Bing Crosby records White Christmas. It becomes the best-selling record of all time, exceeding $50 million May 30, 1911 - The first-ever running of the Indianapolis 500 May 31, 1889 - The Johnstown, Pennsylvania dam breaks, funding the town and killing thousands    Inspirational quotes   “Giving is an act of generosity. Giving is sowing a seed. The seed will produce a great harvest of fruits.” ―     Lailah Gifty Akita    Upcoming dates   Mark your calendar with these important dates: Spring Bulletin publication date: May 4, 2023 Donald E. Ferry Jr. Spirit of Service Award projects can begin: June 1, 2023 Grand and Subordinate Council Reports due: June 30, 2023 Summer Bulletin article submission deadline: July 8, 2023 Dime A Day program completion: October 18, 2023