Celebrate World Blood Donor Day
The history of blood donation goes back further than you might expect, reaching as far back as the 17th century. The medical specialists of the time knew that blood was a vital element in the body and losing too much of it was bound to have tragic consequences on the patient. So it was that experimentation began, and a whole new breed of heroes was born that contribute their blood so that others may live. Blood Donors save lives every day by giving of themselves so those accident victims and those in need of transfusions for surgeries can live.
History of World Blood Donor Day
The first transfusions were done using poorly understood science and resulted in some rather tragic results for the patients. Richard Lower was the first one to examine animals and blood circulation and finding ways to stop blood clotting. While he was only working with animals, he managed to drain the blood off of a medium sized dog and then transfuse the blood of a large mastiff into the smaller animal. Both dogs recovered with no appreciable ill effects.
So it was that he gained great notoriety for his efforts, and was asked to speak on and teach this technique to the Royal Society. There were some odd beliefs about blood back then, and the first human transfusion involved putting the blood of a sheep into a patient who was suffering from a mild form of insanity. It was thought that perhaps the blood of so gentle a creature as a lamb might help to calm his insanity. The act of transferring animal blood into patients was strongly questioned by the tightly superstitious and morally rigid authorities of the time, and the practice was outlawed. Vanishing for 150 years.
It was an obstetrician that brought blood transfusions back into modern medical technology, starting in 1818. After he saved the life of a woman who had hemorrhaged terribly after giving birth, he started publishing works on how it was done and the study thereof. Throughout his life, he performed 10 transfusions, 5 of which saved the lives of the recipients.
World Blood Donor Day celebrates the hard work and daring of these early medical professionals and recognizes the efforts they put into developing a technology that saves so many lives today.
World Blood Donor Day celebrates the hard work and daring of these early medical professionals and recognizes the efforts they put into developing a technology that saves so many lives today.
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
Achilles’ heel or Achilles heel
Goddess Thetis dipping her son Achilles in the River Styx (detail)
MEANING:
noun: A seemingly small but critical weakness in an otherwise strong position.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Achilles, a hero in the Greek mythology. When Achilles was a baby, his mother Thetis dipped him into the magical river Styx to make him invincible. She held him by the heel which remained untouched by the water and became his weak point. He was killed when the Trojan prince Paris shot an arrow that pierced his one vulnerable spot: his heel. After him, the tendon in the lower back of the ankle is also known as the Achilles tendon. Earliest documented use: 1705.
NOTES:
The tendon connecting the calf muscles of the leg to the heel bone is called Achilles tendon. The actor Brad Pitt played Achilles in the 2004 film Troy and tore his left Achilles tendon during production. Talk about taking a role seriously!
USAGE:
“The danger of being seen as courting noxious supporters is a long-standing worry for right-of-centre politicians. Preston Manning ... has argued that it is the Achilles heel of the conservative movement.”
John Geddes & Jason Markusoff; Target Andrew Scheer; Maclean’s (Toronto, Canada); Jun 2019.
John Geddes & Jason Markusoff; Target Andrew Scheer; Maclean’s (Toronto, Canada); Jun 2019.
Idiom of the Day
Swallow one's pride -
Meaning - Accepting something humiliating or embarrassing.
Example - When his son was caught cheating in the exam. He had to swallow his pride and meet the principal.
This Day in History
1775 - The Continental Army was founded by the Second Continental Congress for purposes of common defense. This event is considered to be the birth of the United States Army. On June 15, George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief.
1777 - The Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the "Stars and Stripes" as the national flag of the United States. The Flag Resolution stated "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." On May 20, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed June 14 "Flag Day" as a commemoration of the "Stars and Stripes."
1834 - Isaac Fischer Jr. patented sandpaper.
1907 - Women in Norway won the right to vote.
1922 - Warren G. Harding became the first U.S. president to be heard on radio. The event was the dedication of the Francis Scott Key memorial at Fort McHenry.
1951 - "Univac I" was unveiled. It was a computer designed for the U.S. Census Bureau and billed as the world's first commercial computer.
1965 - Paul McCartney recorded the song "Yesterday."
1967 - Mariner 5 was launched from Cape Kennedy, FL. The space probe's flight took it past Venus.
1971 - In London, the first Hard Rock Cafe opened.
1990 - The U.S. Supreme Court upheld police checkpoints that are used to examine drivers for signs of intoxication.
2002 - Actor Kirk Douglas received the UCLA Medal. The award is presented to people for cultural, political and humanitarian achievements.
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, June 14
You are quick-witted and versatile. Your nature is a tad contradictory, as you crave change and adventure, yet you also need stability and security. At times impulsive, and other times very deliberate, your dual nature can be both intriguing and frustrating! You are a person who enjoys building and accumulating, and you can be very resourceful. Famous people born today:
1811 Harriet Beecher Stowe, American author(Uncle Tom's Cabin), born in Litchfield, Connecticut (d. 1896)
1928 Ernesto "Che" Guevara, Argentine Marxist revolutionary (Cuban Revolution), author and physician, born in Rosario, Argentina (d. 1967)
1946 Donald Trump, 45th US President, real estate tycoon (Trump Towers) and TV personality (The Apprentice), born in NYC, New York
1961 Boy George [O'Dowd], British singer-songwriter (Culture Club), born in Bexley, Kent, England
1969 Steffi Graf, German tennis player (Golden Slam 1988, 22 Grand Slam singles titles), born in Mannheim, Germany
READERS INFO
1.
(Not So) Totally Useless Fact of The Day:
A pound of (US) dimes and a pound of quarters both equal twenty dollars.
2.
World Blood Donor Day
Safe blood supplies are a scarce commodity – especially in developing countries. World Blood Donor Day is an occasion to raise awareness of the problem and thank donors worldwide. It is held annually on June 14.
1775 - The Continental Army was founded by the Second Continental Congress for purposes of common defense. This event is considered to be the birth of the United States Army. On June 15, George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief.
1777 - The Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the "Stars and Stripes" as the national flag of the United States. The Flag Resolution stated "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." On May 20, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed June 14 "Flag Day" as a commemoration of the "Stars and Stripes."
1967 - Mariner 5 was launched from Cape Kennedy, FL. The space probe's flight took it past Venus.
1990 - The U.S. Supreme Court upheld police checkpoints that are used to examine drivers for signs of intoxication.
2002 - Actor Kirk Douglas received the UCLA Medal. The award is presented to people for cultural, political and humanitarian achievements.
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, June 14
A pound of (US) dimes and a pound of quarters both equal twenty dollars.
2.
What Do People Do?
Many events are held around the world on June 14 to mark World Blood Donor Day. These include football matches, concerts and mobile blood donation clinics. In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) called upon communities world-wide to symbolically "paint the world red" by coloring, covering or lighting monuments and landmarks.
Public Life
World Blood Donor Day is a global observance and not a public holiday.
Background
Despite about 92 million yearly blood donations worldwide, safe blood is constantly on high demand, especially in developing countries.
World Blood Donor Day falls on the birthday of Karl Landsteiner (June 14, 1868). He created the ABO blood group system, which is still used today to ensure the safety of blood transfusions.
3.
Mountains of Music Homecoming 2019
Jun 7 - 15, 2019 | Abingdon, VA
Come for the evening concerts and stay for a wide variety of cultural experiences, including community meals, gallery exhibits, history walks, artisan demonstrations, outdoor adventures, scenic drives, workshops, educational opportunities and much more.
International FolkFest 2019
Jun 9 - 16, 2019 | Murfreesboro, TN
Established in 1982, the International FolkFest brings performance groups from all over the world to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to celebrate international music and arts. The event hosts overseas performers who share their talents with local communities, promoting awareness of the artistic diversity of cultures around the world. Each year, dance and music groups from over 50 different countries perform for local schools, senior citizen homes and youth groups, encouraging world peace and understanding through music and dance.
further information: International Folkfest
5.
Bristol 4th of July Celebration 2019
Jun 15 - Sept 9, 2019 | Bristol, RI
Established in 1785, is the oldest continuous celebration of its kind in the United States
further information: Bristol 4th of July Celebration
Pictures of the day
Established in 1785, is the oldest continuous celebration of its kind in the United States
further information: Bristol 4th of July Celebration
Pictures of the day
Stellagama stellio, also known as the starred agama or the roughtail rock agama, is a species of agamid lizard, the only member of the monotypic genus Stellagama. The species can be found in Greece, western Asia and northern Egypt; it has also been introduced to Malta. It can reach a total length of 35 centimetres (14 in) or slightly longer. Like many agamids, the species can change its color to express its mood. It basks on stone walls, rocks and trees. The species is usually found in rocky habitats and is quite shy, being very ready to dive into cracks to hide from potential predators. This S. s. brachydactylaindividual was photographed in the Dana Biosphere Reserve in Jordan.
When You Ask Your Photography Friends
to Babysit Your Cat
knit
thanks, Charlotte
knit
thanks, Nancy
Hemmed in Hollow
knit
knit
knit
Dishcloth Masks / Spüli Masken pattern by Mamafri
Knit Pattern of the Day: Valerie, Canadian Correspondent
crochet
thanks, Grace
crochet
thanks, Charlotte
crochet
crochet
crochet
RECIPE
thanks, Sally
CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Shelley
SWEETS
thanks, Carol
ADULT COLORING
CRAFTS
thanks, Kay
CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Father's Day
thanks, Mollie
PUZZLE
SUDOKU ... hard
solution:
QUOTE
CLEVER
Hang your collection of watering cans with curtain rings
EYE OPENER
thanks, Sam
A People Map of the US, where city names are replaced by their most Wikipedia’ed resident: people born in, lived in, or connected to a place.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
The longest day must have its close -- the gloomiest night will wear on to a morning. An eternal, inexorable lapse of moments is ever hurrying the day of the evil to an eternal night, and the night of the just to an eternal day. -Harriet Beecher Stowe, abolitionist and novelist (14 Jun 1811-1896)
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