Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates the abolishment of slavery in the United States.

Flip-Flop Day

If you’re tired of keeping your feet in stuffy shoes and need an excuse to expose those toes, Flip-Flop Day may just be the answer.

People have been wearing flip-flops for thousands of years, with the earliest wearers being the Ancient Egyptians in 4000BC. Since then, the sandals have been worn throughout the world and have become a favourite for people enjoying a relaxing day at the beach or walking around in the sunshine. Flip-flops got their name because of the slapping sound they make against the ground when you walk in them!

Flip-flop day was founded by Tropical Smoothie Café. Customers who visit a participating Café on Flip-Flop Day wearing – you guessed it, flip-flops – will receive a free smoothie. Not only does Tropical Smoothie Café give its customers a free drink and the chance to air their feet, it also uses Flip-Flop Day to raise money for Camp Sunshine – a camp that offers respite and support to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Even if you don’t have a Tropical Smoothie Café near you, why not find your own way to celebrate the day? Dig out your favourite pair of flip-flops and take a stroll along the beach or through the park. If the weather isn’t quite right for sandals, you could put on some warmer footwear and go shopping for a great new pair of flip-flops to be more prepared for when the sun does arrive! Not feeling like leaving the house at all? Why not put on flip-flops instead of your usual slippers and wear them at home to get yourself in the mood for summer?

Although flip-flops can be great to wear on a fun casual day out, just be careful not to wear them for too long – the lack of support in flip-flops and their thin soles can lead to sore or injured feet!

World Sauntering Day

""World Sauntering Day"" is celebrated on the 19th day of June every year. The purpose is to remind us to take it easy, smell the roses, to slow down and enjoy life as opposed to rushing through it. It is also sometimes referred to as International Sauntering Day

The exact year of its origin is 1979, and it is believed to have begun at Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island) in Michigan. The Grand Hotel has the world's longest porch at 660 feet in length. The holiday was created by W.T. Rabe in response to the growing popularity of jogging. The idea behind the day was to encourage people to slow down and appreciate the world around them.

This day, June 19 has been used as an opportunity to uplift people (one example is the Totally Unique Thoughts group and free Notes from the Universe http://www.tut.com/) and remind us of the well-being which is around us everywhere if we will choose to look for it, focus on it, and let it grow in our hearts and in our lives.

Also in some places, World Sauntering Day is celebrated on the 28th of August but the official date will always be June 19.