June 1, 2020
Day 153 of 366

 

June 1st is the 153rd day of the year. It is World Milk Day, an international day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food.

In the United States, today is “celebrated” as National Olive Day, National Heimlich Maneuver Day, National Go Barefoot Day, National Nail Polish Day, National Say Something Nice Day, National Penpal Day, and National Hazelnut Cake Day.

 

Historical items of note:

• In 1495, monk John Cor recorded the first known batch of Scotch whisky.
• In 1779, Benedict Arnold, a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, was court-martialed for malfeasance. He would conspire and change allegiances to Great Britain soon thereafter.
• In 1890, the United States Census Bureau began using Herman Hollerith’s tabulating machine to count census returns.
• In 1916, Louis Brandeis became the first Jew appointed to the United States Supreme Court.
• In 1926, actor, singer, producer, and screenwriter Andy Griffith was born.
• Also in 1926, model and actress Marilyn Monroe was born.
• In 1937, actor and producer Morgan Freeman was born.
• In 1940, actor René Auberjonois was born.
• Also in 1940, physicist, astronomer, and academic Kip Thorne was born.
• In 1946, actor Brian Cox was born.
• In 1947, actor Jonathan Pryce was born.
• In 1969, actress Teri Polo was born.
• In 1974, the Heimlich maneuver for rescuing choking victims was published in the journal Emergency Medicine.
• Also in 1974, singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actress Alanis Morissette was born.
• In 1977, actress Sarah Wayne Callies was born.
• In 1978, the first international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty were filed.
• In 1980, Cable News Network (CNN) began broadcasting.
• In 1988, the European Central Bank was founded in Brussels.
• In 1996, actor Tom Holland was born.
• In 2011, Space Shuttle Endeavour made its final landing after 25 flights.

 

June 1st is World Reef Awareness Day.

The event acts as a call to action for consumers, businesses, and organizations to reflect on the delicate ecosystem of our ocean’s coral reefs by bringing together the general public, influencers, and opinion leaders to create active change through education and engagement.

Coral reefs are living communities of individual polyps that excrete a bone-like skeleton. This skeleton forms large rock-like structures that are homes for thousands of other organisms.

In recent years, our most productive reefs have been in decline due to coral bleaching. Death of reefs stems from rising sea temperatures, industrial and plastic pollution, chemical, and unmanaged tourism.

Healthy reefs are essential to plant and fish life, building a lively fishing industry while protecting beaches and coastlines from erosion. Fish and other oceanic animals rely on the protection of the healthy, living reef for spawning season. The reefs also contribute to the viability of the ocean life cycle.

Healthy coral reefs are important for the prosperity of the entire planet.

 

The Thing About Today is an effort to look at each day of 2020 with respect to its historical context.

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