Pinata Day
April 18
There is some debate, but it appears that Pinata’s origin is not Spanish but Chinese. The Chinese version was in the shape of a cow or ox and used for the New Year. It was decorated with symbols and colors meant to produce a favorable climate for the coming growing season. It was filled with five types of seeds and then hit with sticks of various colors. After the piñata was broken, the remains were burned and the ashes kept for good luck.
The tradition arrived in Europe in the 14th century where it was associated with the Christian celebration of Lent. In Spain, the first Sunday of Lent, “Piñata Sunday”, became a celebration known as the Dance of the Piñata. The European piñata tradition was brought to Mexico in the 16th century.
National Animal Crackers Day
April 18
Animal Crackers were first made in England in the 19th century as animal biscuits. The current crackers are tiger, cougar, camel, rhinoceros, kangaroo, hippopotamus, bison, lion, hyena, zebra, elephant, sheep, bear, gorilla, monkey, seal and giraffe. The only animals to make it through the entire lifetime of Barnum’s Animals Crackers are bears, elephants, lions and tigers.
Today’s Birthdays of Note….
Conan O’Brien – TV host & Entertainer – 65 – born in Brookline, Massachusetts
Kourtney Kardasian – Media Personality – 40 – born in Las Angeles, California
