The first day of NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) July 6 Week kicks off the seven days of festivities that celebrate the culture of the native people of Australia. Ironically, though it’s now a time of celebration, NAIDOC Week originally started as a time for protesting. In the 1920s, Aboriginal rights groups came together to boycott and draw attention to their rights. However, around 1955, the week officially adopted a celebratory tone. Now, it’s a time to enjoy live Indigenous Australian music, art competitions, and storytelling.
National Fried Clam Day
For New Englanders, an addiction to fried clams is a rite of passage, one that is celebrated every July 3 on National Fried Clam Day. Fried clams have been part of the New England coastal culture for more than a century. Fried clams are an acquired taste for some; for others, it is nothing short of love at first bite. Folks who live or summer along New England’s stunning Atlantic coast cannot imagine summer without the brush of a salty sea breeze on the cheek, and a basket of fried clams and a cold drink in hand.
International Plastic Bag Free Day
International Plastic Bag Free Day, celebrated on July 3, is a global initiative that aims to eliminate the use of plastic bags. Plastic bags may seem like a grocery shopping convenience, but they are also a huge strain on the environment. It can take up to 500 years for plastic bags to disintegrate, so they make up a large portion of what stays in our landfills and pollutes our waterways.