Today is...

[IceWizard]

19 May 2017


Endangered Species Day



We live in a world full of many animals, insects, plants and creatures which are approaching risk of extinction – or are so close to extinction, that their species needs help immediately.

When a species is defined as endangered, its numbers are especially low – in the last few thousands, hundreds, or even tens. And when the last of the species is gone, they are gone for good.

This day was created to keep us aware of how fragile the existence of some animals, plants, and insects is – and, most importantly, reminds us to take the time to learn about why it’s so important to protect endangered species from any further harm.

The History of Endangered Species Day

Since time began, there have been endangered species. Perhaps one of the earliest and most learned about extinctions in history is that of the dinosaurs. However, an endangered species is one which is still in the world today, but may not be much longer if the right steps aren’t taken.

The status of ‘endangered’ is decided by the International Union for Conversation of Nature. According to the IUCN, at least 40% of animal, insect and plant species across the world are at risk of extinction.

Some ways of helping endangered species have included captive breeding, which sees endangered or rare species in captivity encouraged to breed in an effort to improve their numbers in the wild.

Reasons for endangerment are varied – this may be down to environmental changes, overhunting by predators, poaching, the changing or destruction of habits by humans or natural disasters to name a few.



And




May Ray Day



There’s a saying that goes “April Showers bring May Flowers” that talks about the natural turning of the seasons and how the wonderful spring rains. Each year this turning of the page comes about bringing the awakening rains of early spring, and then the comfortably warmth and rich smells of May bursting into flowers. Unless you’re in New York, where sometimes it decides that May is a perfectly acceptable month to snow in, but that’s another matter. May Ray Day celebrates this turning of the seasons, and encourages you to get out and enjoy it!

History of May Ray Day

The history of May Ray Day is as old as the wheel of the year, turning through season after season for time out of mind. It has meant a great deal to many people and cultures as the ages past, being an indicator for when to begin planting, marking the true end of the cold of winter and the rise of a burgeoning summer. In the stores you’ll find the most beautiful of spring and summer clothing, nor more with the galoshes and heavy winter coats, no more thick sweaters and layers of long-johns.

This is spring, and that means it’s time to welcome the sun back into the warming sky and get on out and flaunt your stuff! Plants everywhere, after having regained their lush foliage after a cold long winter, start blooming into life. Your body craves the sun, it’s actually essential to the utilization of vitamin D, which is required for strong healthy bones, along with a collection of other healthful things. May Ray Day is your signal to get out into the sun and soak up the heat.

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May 19 Birthdays



Andre the Giant - (1946 - 1993) (46)




Malcolm X - (1925 - 1965) (39)




Phil Rudd - 63




Peter (Chewbacca) Mayhew - 73




Ferdinand Magellan - (1480 - 1521) (40)




Dusty Hill - 68




Ho Chi Minh - (1890 - 1969) (79)




Nicole Brown Simpson - (1959 - 1994) (35)




Georges St-Pierre - 36




Pete Townshend - 72




Joey Ramone - (1951 - 2001) (49)





May 19th

2000: The Allman Brothers Band announced that longtime guitarist Dickey Betts had left the band due to “personal and professional reasons”.

1996: Peter Frampton, The Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth made guest appearances on The Simpsons where they were on tour as part of a music festival that Homer Simpson joined as a carnival freak.

1992: Aerosmith donated $10,000 to MIT in Boston to fund an explicit exhibition of photographs & sculptures after the National Endowment for the Arts pulled support.

1990: Heart peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with Brigade which went on to sell two million copies in the U.S.

1986: Peter Gabriel released his fifth album So which was his first solo album not titled Peter Gabriel. It later went on to reach number two on the Billboard 200 Album chart & sell five million copies in the U.S.

1979: George Harrison, Paul McCartney, & Ringo Starr performed together for the first time since the breakup of The Beatles at the wedding reception of Eric Clapton & Patti Boyd. Joining them for a jam session included Clapton, Ginger Baker & Mick Jagger.

1979: Supertramp reached the top of the Billboard 200 Album Chart for the first and only time with Breakfast in America which began a six non-consecutive week run at number one and went on to sell four million copies in the U.S.

1978: Dire Straits released their debut major label single “Sultans of Swing”.

1976: After falling asleep at the wheel, Keith Richards crashed his Bentley in Buckinghamshire, England. Police discovered cocaine & LSD in the car.



Birthdays:

Pete Townshend - Guitarist for The Who born in 1945

Steve Currie - Bassist for T. Rex born in 1947

Dusty Hill - Bassist for ZZ Top born in 1949

Joey Ramone - Singer for The Ramones born in 1951

Phil Rudd - Drummer for AC/DC born in 1954