National Joseph Day is celebrated every year on April 16. It appreciates the strong and classic name Joseph, whose roots started in the Old Testament of the Bible with a story of a young boy with 11 jealous siblings and two doting parents. Just like that story, Josephs worldwide is a blessing to us — it even says so in the name. This Hebrew name means ‘to add or increase’ and is most prevalent in English, French, and German-speaking countries. So whether you call them Joe, Joey, Youssef, or even Josephine, today is the perfect opportunity to appreciate their presence in your life.
Father Damien Day
Father Damien Day is celebrated annually on April 15 in Hawaii. Father Damien was a Roman Catholic priest and missionary. He was sent on a mission to Hawaii, where at the time, the Hawaiian Kingdom was struggling with a labor shortage and health crisis. He later volunteered at the quarantined settlement in Kalaupapa, working with the people and helping build homes, make coffins, dig graves, and more. And he spent the rest of his life helping people affected with leprosy. Father Damien Day is celebrated in remembrance of him and his deeds.
McDonald’s Day
McDonald’s Day falls on April 15, the anniversary day of when Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1955. Most, if not all, people around the world know this name, we believe. It’s one of the world’s largest fast-food restaurant chains. Did you know that Ray Kroc was not the founder of McDonald’s? The founders were the McDonald brothers. The current corporation credits its founding to Ray Kroc. So, let’s celebrate this McDonald’s Day in honor of Kroc as well as the restaurant founders, the McDonald brothers.