Boise, Celebrate April 18 As ...

BOISE, ID — Take a break on Sunday and enjoy your day celebrating the following designations.

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National Animal Cracker Day - National Animal Crackers Day on April 18th each year celebrates a childhood favorite. A box of these sweet animal-shaped crackers not only provided a delicious snack, but they also offered a little entertainment, too!

The celebration brings us back to our childhood memories and the many boxes of Animal Crackers we shared with our friends. Animal Crackers refer to a type of small cookie baked in the shape of circus or zoo animals, such as a lion, tiger, bear or elephant. The most common variety is light-colored and slightly sweet. However, makers also offer chocolate and frosted varieties, too. Even though animal crackers are made with layered dough, much like crackers, they are sweet like cookies.

Animal crackers first came to the United States in the late 1800s when the U.S. imported animal-shaped cookies from England. In 1902, animal crackers officially became known as Barnum’s Animals and evoked the familiar circus train theme of the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Later that year, Nabisco designed the now-familiar box with a string for the Christmas season to hang from the Christmas tree. They were a big hit in 1902 and still are today. (http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/04/18/national-animal-crackers-day/)

In 2018, Nabisco (the current maker of Barnum’s Animal Crackers) released the characters from the cage of the train and set them free. The images on the side of the boxes now show the animals roaming freely in nature.

National Lineman Appreciation Day - National Lineman Appreciation Day on April 18th honors the men and women who work around the clock to keep the power going. If the power is on where you are reading this article, you likely have a lineman to thank.

From the power plant, the grid crisscrossing the country both above and underground and right up to the meters on our homes, these men and women build and maintain the system that keeps our nation running.

On April 10, 2013, U.S. Senate Resolution 95 recognized linemen across the country by setting April 18th as National Lineman Appreciation Day.

National Record Store Day - On National Record Store Day, owners, employees, and music lovers gather in the place that created a culture of its own.

From vinyl to digital and back to vinyl again, the brick and mortar store celebrates a love of not just the music, but the art of jacket covers, words, and style. Through a variety of events, record stores across the country and the world hold one day events and promotions.

Even though independent record stores have dwindled in the last decade, around 1,400 still remain in operation in the United States. Most of those are operating in major metropolitan areas like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Seattle. However, other smaller metro areas (Boise's Record Exchange) also cater to vinyl and disc, too.

Founded in 2007 by a gathering of independent record store owners, the first National Record Store Day included Metallica meeting fans at Rasputin Music in San Fransico. Since then, the celebration spread globally encompassing all genres of music and fandom.

National Columnists' Day - National Columnists’ Day on April 18th honors all newspaper columnists and their contributions to the truth in black and white.

Columnists have the ability to inspire a plethora of emotions that often result in action. What many may not realize is that it is their intent. If their readers are not moved by their column, they have not done their job.

With their own flavor of humor or satire, some columnists lighten the mood or play a role. Others strictly provide us with a different perspective, hard facts and solid research. Whatever their style or approach, each columnist’s hard work connects them to the world.

Well-known columnists have certainly inspired ire and laughter at many a breakfast table. They poke fun and holes at political leaders while commenting on today’s gossip. Depending on their area of expertise, they may also share a little bit of gossip. Whether it’s about fashion, movies, politics, sports, business or family matters, columnists like Walter Winchell, Molly Ivins, Maureen Dowd, William Safire, Dave Barry and Ernie Pyle engaged readers with their wit and insight. Columnists spur debate and cause us to consider our positions.

National Auctioneers Day - Each year on the third Thursday in April, National Auctioneers Day recognizes those who hold auctions and take our bids all year long. According to the National Auctioneers Association, it is estimated nearly a quarter-trillion dollars in goods and services are sold by professional auctioneer’s every year.

While the founder of National Auctioneer Day is unknown, according to the National Auctioneers Association, the observance has been celebrated for over 25 years.

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