MDBCs 11 Apr 2024

It is thought that the unofficial holiday commemorates the date in 1898 when Irish engineer John Philip Holland showed his submarine design to the U.S. Navy.

Modern Submarine

Called the Holland Type VI submarine, his prototype was the first modern submarine design to work successfully underwater. His submarines became the first vessels to be bought by the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy.

A similar holiday is celebrated on April 17 in the US as a way to honor the anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Submarine Force in 1900.

Military Purposes

Submarines have primarily been used for offensive military purposes throughout the 20th century. During World War I and World War II, they were used to sink enemy ships. In the present day, while submarines are still used by the military, they are increasingly being put to use for civilian benefits. Their ability to go deep underwater have made it possible for scientists to research marine life and sea beds. They are also sometimes used for underwater tourism.

Most present-day military submarines run using nuclear power, though, in many parts of the world, diesel-electric submarines are also in common use.

Submarine the Sandwich

In many parts of the United States, a submarine is a type of sandwich. Usually made with a long roll of bread and filled with meats, vegetables, and spreads, this popular lunch dish is also called by other names like hero, hoagie, grinder, and sub. It is thought that the sandwich was named submarine because it resembles the shape of the underwater vessel.

How to Celebrate?

Learn more about the art and science of submarines.
Celebrate the day by consuming as many sub sandwiches as you can.
Watch movies that feature submarines.

Did You Know...

...that the first known submarine was created in 1620 by Cornelius Drebbel?

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Barbershop Quartet Day

April 11 is Barbershop Quartet Day, a day that celebrates barbershop music, a style of harmony singing without any accompanying music.

The unofficial holiday commemorates the founding of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America in 1938.

Waiting Songs

As the name suggests, barbershop music originated in 19th-century American barbershops, a place where men, usually African-American, came to socialize. While waiting for their turn with the barber, these men sang, harmonized improvised songs and created a genre of music that is now known as barbershop music.

Straw Hats

A barbershop quartet is a group of 4 men, each with their own unique voices - second tenor, first tenor, bass, and baritone - singing songs in the barbershop style.

Barbershop quartets have a signature dressing style that includes bright striped jackets, straw hats, and big mustaches.

How to Celebrate?

Celebrate the day by getting acquainted with Barbershop music and its history.
Attend a barbershop quartet show and enjoy their music.

Did You Know…

…that barbershop music is a type of acapella? Acapella is a style of singing without any accompanying instrumental music. The word comes from the Italian word for according to the church.

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A passing septic service truck declared "19,500 lbs. of very gross weight."

***

A couple invited some people to dinner. At the table, the wife turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?"

"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.

"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.

The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

***

Although desperate to find work, I passed on a job I found on an employment website. It was for a wastewater plant operator.

Among the job requirements: "Must be able to swim."

***

When we finished a personality assessment at work, I asked my friend Dan if he would share the results with his wife.

"That would require me to go home and say, 'Hi, honey. I just paid someone $400 to tell me what's wrong with me,' " he said.

"And based on that, considering we've been married 23 years, she'd hand me a bill for $798,000."

***

A colleague was planning a trip to my business office and asked if I could find him a hotel with exercise facilities. I called several hotels, with no luck.

Finally I thought I had found one. I asked the receptionist if the hotel had a weight room.

"No," she replied, "but we have a lobby and you can wait there."