War on Poverty Day is observed annually on January 8 to reflect on the impact of the legislation first introduced in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson that collectively expanded economic opportunity through anti-poverty, health, education, and employment policies. One definition of poverty is “not having enough resources for your basic needs,” and it has a huge impact on people’s lives and society. Recent studies suggest the poorest states have a poverty rate of up to 18%. Poverty can happen to anyone. Whether it’s student who rely on scholarships top claim their right to education, seniors struggling with rising healthcare costs, or large families struggling to get food on the table, poverty is a problem that over 40 million Americans are fighting against on a daily basis.
Dimpled Chad Day
Dimpled Chad Day is observed on January 4 of every year in memory of the infamous punched card voting ballot. A chad is a small piece of paper that’s punched and removed when a hole is made in cardboard via a machine or with the force of hand. When the chad is not removed completely, though, it is called a dimpled chad. These unremoved chads brought the entire country to its knees on the eve of the 2000 presidential election. Revisit this great national spectacle as we remember the chad and the havoc it wreaked.
Microtia Awareness Day
Microtia Awareness Day is observed on November 9 every year to spread knowledge about this congenital disability. Microtia derives its name from the Latin word that means ‘little ears’. Approximately one child in every 9,000 is born with microtia. It occurs when the ear or ears do not fully develop during the first trimester of pregnancy — this leaves the child with small, underdeveloped, or no ears at all. While microtia is diagnosed at birth, there is no clear understanding as to what leads to the disability. Children born with microtia may suffer hearing loss, facial challenges, and social negligence.