MDBCs 15 Oct 2022

One of the most watched television series of its time, the show is well known and popular around the world today. The unofficial holiday commemorates the day in 1951, when the show, starring real-life couple at that time, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, debuted on CBS.

Singer and Performer

I Love Lucy follows the lives of aspiring performer Lucy Ricardo, her singer husband Ricky Ricardo and their friends Ethel and Fred Mertz in New York City.

While the show ended in 1957, a spinoff first known as the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show and then as The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour ran for three more years.

How to Celebrate?

Have an I Love Lucy-themed party and have guests dress up in 1950s style. Decorate your venue with 1950s style furniture and textiles and serve foods that were popular in the 1950s.
Organize a marathon viewing session of the show with your friends and family.

Did You Know…

…that I Love Lucy is the only show in television history that has never stopped broadcasting since airing its first episode in 1951? Reruns of the show have been popular around the world after the show ended.

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Sweetest Day

The third Saturday in October is celebrated as Sweetest Day in parts of the United States.

The unofficial holiday was started in 1921 in Cleveland, Ohio as a way to encourage women to treat their male romantic partners with sweets and candy.

Boosting Business

It is thought that the holiday, which is now popular in parts of Northeastern and Midwestern United States, began as a way for confectioners to boost their business. On the first Sweetest Day, on October 10, 1921, a committee of 12 candy makers distributed sweets and candy to orphans and senior citizens and encouraged people to do the same.

Older Origins

The idea for having a special day to promote candy consumption actually came about a few years before. In 1916, the National Confectioner's Association invented a day called Candy Day to be celebrated on the second Saturday of October. Unfortunately, the First World War overshadowed any such celebrations and the day failed to take off.

Valentine's Day for Women

Over the years, Sweetest Day has become a romantic holiday, where women are encouraged to buy candy and show romantic gestures towards their male partners. Many people consider the day as the reverse of Valentine's Day, where historically men have been expected to do romantic things for their female partners.

10 States

Sweetest Day is not a nation-wide holiday—only people in a handful of cities, including Buffalo, New York; Detroit, Michigan; and Cleveland, Ohio celebrate the holiday.

How to Celebrate?

With candy, of course! And remember, you do not have to have a significant other to share or give candy to. You can also treat yourself or your friend to some of their favorite candy.
Make candy from scratch at home and share with your co-workers, family, and neighbors.
Learn the history behind your favorite candy and sweets.

Did You Know…

…that Halloween, one of the most important holidays for candy companies, was not a big candy holiday until the mid-1950s?

***

As a freelance secretary, I type story manuscripts. When an author pays me, I print the name of the story across the top of his check. Once when I took a check to the bank, the teller suddenly froze. Only after I had explained my procedure to a bank officer did the reason for the teller's reaction become clear.

The story was called "Your Money or Your Life," and that, of course, was what I had written in bold letters across the top of the check.

***

During a business trip to Boeing's Everett, Wash., factory, I noticed several 747 and 777 airliners being assembled. Before the engines were installed, huge weights were hung from the wings to keep the planes balanced. The solid-steel weights were bright yellow and marked "14,000 lbs." But what I found particularly interesting was some stenciling I discovered on the side of each weight.

Imprinted there was the warning: "Remove before flight."

***

Louie and his wife are listening to the radio when they hear the weather report: "A snow emergency has been declared. You must park your cars on the odd-numbered side of the street.” So Louie gets up and moves his car.

Two days later—same thing. "A snow emergency has been declared,” blares the radio. "Park your cars on the even-numbered side of the street.” Louie gets up and does what he’s told.

Three days later: "There will be a foot of snow today. Park your cars on the ...,” and then the power goes out.

"What should I do?” a confused Louie asks his wife.

"This time,” she says, "why don’t you just leave the car in the garage?”

***

Ah, marriage. I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror one evening admiring my reflection, when I posed this question to my wife of 30 years: