MDBCs 25 Apr 2024

Observed every year on April 25 since 2003, DNA Day celebrates and recognizes the importance of genetics and the scientific advances made in the field.

DNA Day was instituted as a one-time celebration in the United States by a proclamation of the US Congress in 2002.

Double Helix

April 25 was chosen as the day to acknowledge the contribution of genetics because on this day in 1953, scientists James Watson, Francis Crick, and their colleagues published the double helix structure of DNA in the journal, Nature.

Worldwide Celebration

While DNA Day was first commemorated in the United States in 2003, it is now celebrated around the world. In the US, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is at the helm of organizing celebrations for the day. Universities and scientific organizations around the world also celebrate DNA day by organizing scientific conferences, educational outreach, online discussions and essay competitions.

The holiday is also called International DNA Day and World DNA Day.

How to Celebrate?

Attend scientific lectures to learn about the advances made in genetics.
Learn more about DNA, its structure, and its components. Read up about how it affects our daily lives.
If you have kids in your life, make a 3-D model of DNA with them. Get creative – use materials you can find at home or in your kitchen.

Did You Know…

…that each human cell contains approximately 6.5 feet (2 meters) of DNA?

~~~~~~~

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in April.

The day, now run by Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation, encourages parents to take their children to work so that they can understand the meaning of work-life balance and pride in one's work.

Without Gender Limitations

According to the Foundation’s website, the day “encourages girls and boys to dream without gender limitations and to think imaginatively about their family, work and community lives”.

The day is celebrated on a Thursday so that kids can share their experiences in school the next day.

First for Girls

The day was first created by Gloria Steinem and the Ms. Foundation for Women in 1993 as Take Our Daughters to Work Day in recognition of the fact that young girls were often excluded from certain professions and had limited job opportunities.

The unofficial holiday aimed to give girls the opportunity to see different workspaces and environments. In 2003, boys were also included in the celebration of the day.

How to Celebrate?

Take your child to work.
If you do not have children, maybe take your niece or nephew or a friends’ kid to work. Make sure you inform your employers that you will be bringing a child to work so that your colleagues can make the workspace child-friendly. Have exercise and activities ready for the children, so they don’t get bored.

Did You Know…

… that according to some studies, birth order can explain what professions children will choose when they grow up? Firstborns tend to take on professions that require higher education while the youngest kids prefer artistic careers.

***

I input a junior manager's self-evaluation, which said in part, "I have been on the job for three months, and I finally feel as if I've accomplished something."

I made one mistake, however.

I replaced the word job with John.

***

Proofreading an instruction manual for a hospital ventilator, I did a double take when I came across this questionable troubleshooting tip:

"If the problem persists, replace patient immediately."

***

A guy finds a sheep wandering in his neighborhood and takes it to the police station. The desk sergeant says, "Why don't you just take it to the zoo?"

The next day, the sergeant spots the same guy walking down the street—with the sheep. "I thought I told you to take that sheep to the zoo," the sergeant says.

"I know what you told me," the guy responds. "Yesterday I took him to the zoo. Today I'm taking him to the movies."

***

When I asked a friend the secret to his 52 years of marriage, he replied, "We never go to sleep angry."

"That's a great philosophy," I noted.

"Yes. And the longest we've been awake so far is five days."

***

Rushing to a bridge tournament, I was pulled over for going 43 in a 35 m.p.h. zone. "What'll I tell my husband?" I worried, explaining to the police officer that he was a self-described "perfect" driver.

The cop took a second look at the name and address on my license. "Did your husband go duck hunting this morning?" he asked.

Baffled, I answered, "Yes."

"I stopped him for going 47."