This month has its beginning in summer, and, at the Autumn Equinox on September 22, it glides into fall. We’re still in hurricane season, and still very warm outside. Sorry to say, there are not many events or festivals in Florida this month. But there are a few to tickle your fancy, plus some days just to stop, honor, celebrate, ponder or chuckle in their silliness.
September 1: Labor Day is celebrated the first Monday in September. This day was formally designated a Federal holiday by U.S. Congress June 28, 1894, to honor the American worker. It was initiated in 1882 by the Central Labor Union in New York City.
September 4, 1609 – The island of Manhattan was discovered by English navigator Henry Hudson.
September 8: National Grandparents Day began in 1978 – President Jimmy Carter designated it to be the first Sunday after Labor Day. As its title implies, we should all take this time to honor our grandparents.
September 10: TV Dinner Day. The TV Dinner was first introduced to consumers in the United States by C.A. Swanson & Sons in the early 1950s. This pre-packaged, frozen meal would not only provide you a whole dinner with the slight flick of an oven – it was also designed for ease of consumption while parked in front of a television screen. Take a look at Publix’s frozen food aisle to appreciate all the TV Dinner has done for our food options.
September 13: Defy Superstition Day. And since today is also Friday, maybe you should celebrate by ignoring, maybe even eliminating the phobias you may have accumulated over the years.
September 13-14: The I like it Hot Festival, Largo. The largest gourmet spicy food show in Florida. Sample and purchase food from all around Florida, with music, entertainment and hot competitions. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Largo Events Center.For information, go tohttp://www.Facebook.com/ILikeitHotFestival.
September 16: American Legion Day. On this day in 1919, Congress granted the American Legion its charter. It was established to assist veterans returning after World War One. Since then, it has come to aid all veterans. Today there are over 14,000 posts, and 3 million members worldwide.
September 18, 1947 – The U.S. Air Force was established as a separate military service.
September 18: Rice Krispies Treats Day. Yes, really, a whole day!
September 20 – October 5: Oktoberfest. Don’t be fooled by the name…this festival of beer, oompa music and sausage starts in late September. The festival originated in Munich, Germany, and now it is celebrated in cities throughout the world. It began as a celebration of a royal wedding, but has been taken over by the beer. In Germany, the beverage must adhere to strict German Beer Purity Laws (Reinheitsgebot) in order to be considered official Oktoberfest beer. Luckily for us, some of these tasty brews are available locally.
September 17: Smithsonian Day. This museum day is a one-day event in which participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone. To find locations of participating museums, go to http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday.
September 22 – 24: Rosh Hashana begins at sundown today, and ends the evening of September 24. It is the celebration of the Jewish New Year. It is one of the holiest days of the year. This two-day festival marks the anniversary of human creation—and the special relationship between humans and God, the creator. Rosh Hashanah begins with the sounding of the shofar, the ram’s horn, proclaiming God as King of the Universe, just as a trumpet would be sounded at a king’s coronation. This sound is also a call to repentance – to wake up and re-examine your commitment to God and to correct your ways.
September 24: National Punctuation Day. This day celebrates the comma, correct usage of quotation marks, periods, semicolons and other exotic ones very few use today. This is your day to dress up your writing, and amaze us editors with your knowledge of what a semicolon really does.
September 26 – October 5: Miami International Auto Show –Don’t just be a spectator – test drive all the latest models, all in one place. Check out Million Dollar Alley and see (not test-drive) the newest from Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Ferrari Lotus and Bentley, and more. Don’t miss the Memory Lane exhibit, which features 20 classic cars from yesteryear, and the Havana Classics, a trip back to Cuba’s 1950s cars and style. Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach. For information, go to: miamiautoshows.com.
September 27: National Public Lands Day – Grab your friends to create a team and explore a great Florida state park. During this national day of celebration, National Public Lands across the country hold special events, from cleanups to scavenger hunts. For more information, go to: nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/public-lands-day.
September 26 – 27: Conch Life Scramble, Islamorada Key. A wacky, on-the-water golf tournament. Play nine holes of golf by boat. Kick-off Party on the 26th, and benefits Islamorada charities. For information, call 305-393-2725, or visit http://www.conchscramble.com.
September 29, 1789 – Congress created the United States Army, consisting of 1,000 enlisted men and officers.
