National Seashell Day

National Seashell Day has been observed every year since 2016 on the first day of summer (in the Northern Hemisphere). Since the date of the June solstice occurs at the exact instant of time when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer, instead of a specific calendar day, it can occur sometime between June 20 and 22.  This year, 2026, the Summer Solstice and National Seashell Day will be celebrated on June 21st. 

History of National Seashell Day

Founded by Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, Florida, National Seashell Day was started to celebrate seashells and the extraordinary shelling found in Southwest Florida. We lived in this area in the early 1960s when Sanibel Island was little known and seldom visited. I can attest to the fact that the 'shelling' found there is outstanding. 

Source: Pixabay

Today, the beaches of Sanibel Island & Captiva Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida are ranked tops in the world for shelling.  This is due to geography. Sanibel Island is shaped in a curve along the coastline among a string of other more orderly, straight-and-narrow islands. The east-west torque of Sanibel’s south end acts like a shovel scooping up all the seashells that the Gulf imports from The Caribbean and other southern seas. 

All of the Gulf-side shelling beaches in this area, from the Lighthouse to North Captiva, are excellent places to shell. With hundreds of thousands of shells, the beaches are nearly inexhaustible sources of every type of shell; and are constantly being fed from the Gulf & Caribbean. People come from all over just to gather shells, and seashells are the dominant motif in island décor and boutique gifts. 

Shell Craft Ideas

The ideas below show you some craft ideas you could do with the seashells you collect. Or you could purchase one like these featured on Etsy if you do not have access to a shelling beach and wish to have some beach home décor. 

Seashell Letters

These Stand Alone Letters are made with sea glass and sea shells collected on the beaches of Manasquan NJ and specifically selected for each letter. These letters can be created with any letter in the alphabet and the "&" sign as well! 

Sand and Seashells Centerpiece

Bring a touch of the beach to any room in your house with a sand and seashell glass centerpiece from Jack and Emmy Studio!

Each centerpiece contains beach sand and a handful of shells sealed within the glass. 

A Beachcomber's Guide

Available on Amazon

Prepare for your seaside shelling adventure by acquiring a guide to Seashells. There are somewhere between 70,000 and 120,000 species of shell dwellers around the world. But since this article has concentrated on mainly the Florida seashells, which include about 287 species, this Florida's Seashells: A Beachcomber's Guide would be perfect for your next Florida or Caribbean beach vacation. 

This book showcases the diversity of Florida's seashells and presents them in the way they come to us on beaches. The guide will help you know the names, stories and appearances of seashells for easy identification of those that are common to the southeastern United States and the Caribbean.

Source: Pixabay

National Seashell Day

Date: Yearly, on the Longest Day of the Year

Related Articles:

• How to Make a Sailors' Valentine Tutorial  (a special shell craft) by Sylvestermouse Cynthia. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

National Name Your Car Day – October 2nd.

October 2nd is 'National Name Your Car Day'.  There is no real origin or reason why October 2nd was chosen, but it's the perfect day to give your favorite car a name if it doesn't already have one.  We spend a lot of time in our cars, and caring for them, so they deserve a name.    Just remember, cars have feelings – so don't give your 'ride' an embarrassing name!

Car Name Suggestions

• Guys with 'muscle cars' or sports cars should go with strong names that reflect the car and the owner. 
• “Chick” cars need sweet names.  
• Luxury cars probably need a formal or regal-sounding name. 

Famous Movie Car Names

Some fun movie car names are familiar to us. These include:

• The Love Bug
• Lightning McQueen from Cars 
• Kit from Knight Rider
• General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard
• Bandit from Smokey and the Bandit. 

Our Car Names

Our Cars - The Pumpkin and the Super-Beetle

We have had a lot of cars over the years, but our favorite were the Volkswagen Beetles.  The last ones we had included a Super-Beetle (the blue one in the picture) and our son had the Orange one.  

The Orange VW was the only car with a real name.  We called it ~ appropriately ~ 'The Pumpkin'.

Do you have a name for your car(s)?  Come tell me what kind of car and what you call it. 

Happy 'National Name-Your-Car Day'.

Race Car Tissue Box Cover ~ Etsy

(c) Wednesday Elf.  Originally written on October 1, 2013 for another site. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

National Police Week

Honoring Our Police During National Police Week

 

Police Badge - (Source: CC 2.0 Scott Davidson on Flickr)

I grew up with a strong sense of pride in and admiration for the work law enforcement officers do to protect us and our communities. My uncle was a New York State Policeman and my father was the Chief Store Detective for a large department store. Living an honest life and appreciating the dedication & commitment police men and women bring to their job to keep us safe has always been a part of who I am.

This came full circle in 2003 when our son attended the Police Academy while staying with us. Learning first hand each night over dinner what goes into the training of a police officer and the values set forth by the police department made me prouder than ever, not just of my son, but of all law enforcement officers everywhere.

This page is dedicated to our police officers in all branches of Law Enforcement, and recognizes them particularly during National Police Week each May.

National Police Week in 2020

May 10-16, 2020

The Week includes Peace Officer Memorial Day (May 15th).

Origin of National Police Week - And Peace Officer Memorial Day

 

Police Week Greeting Card 3 by mannybell
Design unique personalized note cards from zazzle.com.

President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation in 1962 which designated May 15th as 'Peace Officers Memorial Day' and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week.

The Police Patrol in Various Ways. . .

 

TRAFFIC COP

 

Source: James Russo-Flickr

BY POLICE CAR

 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 ON HORSEBACK

Source: Alan Kotok-Flickr

MOTORCYCLE OFFICER

 

Source: C. Kelly Roberts-Flickr

Note: Photographer C.K. Roberts states: "To get this shot, I laid on the ground and asked the officer to drive by me. He drove by me faster and faster, closer and closer, until I got this photograph."

POLICE ON BICYCLES

Source: Elvert Barnes-Flickr

National Law Enforcement Memorial

A Candlelight Vigil is traditionally held on May 13th, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. National Peace Officers Memorial Day Service, hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary is always held on May 15th in honor of our Fallen Officers.



Get involved with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund by hosting an event to raise funds for the Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum.

It is a simple way to help promote the work of the Memorial and Museum and provide funding for either Memorial programs or the Museum capital campaign, "A Matter of Honor."

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

The Memorial Fund conducts a variety of programs and events each year to honor those law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to increase public support for the law enforcement profession.

Events to raise funds for the Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum often include:

•     Walks or Runs
•     Bike Race
•     Golf Tournament
•     Local Raffle
•     Concert

They also team up with numerous sporting events, such as Major League Baseball games, to hold 'Appreciation Events' to raise awareness and honor America's Law Enforcement Officers.

The Law Enforcement Appreciation Events for 2020 

The crisis that our nation and the world is currently facing has resulted in the cancellation of public gatherings in Washington, DC, during National Police Week 2020, but the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum wants you to know that National Police Week continues to be the dedicated time on the calendar to honor, remember, and celebrate American Law Enforcement. 

*Here in my community this week in 2020 there are signs at City Hall and other places celebrating our local law enforcement personnel. We are grateful for their presence every day, but especially so during this health crisis. Thank you to all our First Responders. 

Badge of Honor - Police Badge

 

Source: Wikipedia

 

A police badge is a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath and it contains the insignia of the organization it represents.

In the United States, police badges are usually made of metal in various colors and finishes and are worn above the left chest pocket on the uniform shirt or jacket.

Blue Mass - National Police Week

 

Honoring those who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Source: Flickr

National Police Wives Association

This is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement spouses Created with the goal of helping police spouses and family members face the daily struggles of being in a law enforcement relationship.

• Click here to learn more about the National Police Wives Association 

 

A Police Officer and his Family

 

Police Academy Graduation - Swearing in Ceremony (personal photo)

It was a proud moment when our son completed the Police Academy and was sworn in as a police officer.

Proud Parents of a brand new police officer

Our Dad is now a Police Officer!

Policeman Dad (our son with his sons after graduating from the Police Academy in Savannah, Georgia.



Article originally written on another site. © 2012 Wednesday-Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”