Tag: Earth Day

April: A Month for Observances and Remembrance

In this post I start with a mention of April Fools’ Day, with its origins traced back to Renaissance Europe. More solemn days in April include Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter, commemorating notable events in Christianity. Additionally, April 19 marks the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, a tragic event in U.S. history. And I list various health observances. Enjoy reading.

Were you the victim or the perpetrator of an April Fool’s Day prank this year?

Scan your favorite newspapers or news websites, and you’ll likely see some suspicious headlines. Read further, and you’ll probably find that some of those stories are complete hoaxes. After all, it’s April Fools’ Day.

But where do we get the strange custom of playing pranks on April 1? The short answer is that nobody knows for sure. All we know is that the custom was known in Renaissance Europe, and probably has roots older than that.

You may, or may not, learn more from this article from the Library of Congress-no April’s Fool.

April Fools: The Roots of an International Tradition

The Christian Holy Week

Palm Sunday, a special day in the Christian faith, in 2025 is on April 13.

Image of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem, from LIGHTSTOCK.COM, affiliate link

Palm Sunday, April 13, recalls the story in the New Testament of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, greeted by people waving palm branches. (John chapter 12)

On April 18 Christians observe the Friday before Easter as “Good Friday”, although the events remembered are dark and somber. On this day, as recorded in the New Testament, Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross, died, and was buried.

Thus, a cross became the best-known symbol of Christianity.

Easter, April 20, and Christmas are the most observed holy days for Christians, although many celebrate them as secular holidays.

Easter marks the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion on Good Friday. For Christian churches, Easter is the joyful end to the Lenten season of fasting and penitence.

Some Christian faiths observe these on different dates.

April 19-remembering Oklahoma City, 30 years ago

April 19 always occurs between April 18 and April 20. But this year it falls between Good Friday and Easter.

On April 19, 1995, a domestic terrorist left a bomb in a truck in front of the federal building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

(I lived there for 7 years while I was in medical school and residency at the University of Oklahoma. )

168 people died, including 19 children.

Until 9/11/2001, it was the greatest loss of life due to terrorism on U.S. soil. I remains the worst domestic terrorist tragedy in this country.

The incident was shocking and traumatic to our entire country but especially here in our state. Oklahoma is usually a peaceful place; we deal with tornadoes and floods but not bombings.

So every year we remember the victims, their families, and especially those who rescued the wounded, and the survivors who rebuilt their lives.

The Survivor Tree
The Survivor Tree -This tree standing in a parking lot across from the Murrah Federal Building survived the 1995 bombing. Today it stands next to the Nation Memorial Museum.
photo by Dr. Aletha

Health Observances in April

Alcohol Awareness Month

Autism Awareness Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Donate Life Month

Earth Day-April 22

This year is the 55th anniversary of the first Earth Day in 1970.

The theme for Earth Day 2025 is OUR POWER, OUR PLANET.

Organizers invite everyone around the globe to unite behind renewable energy. They propose a goal to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030.

Cover image

Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., by photographer Carol Highsmith, used by permission, from the Library of Congress

    exploring the HEART of health

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    Autism, Almanac, and Arbors in April

    April is a month without federal holidays in the United States, notable for April Fool’s Day and religious observance of Easter. It also marks World Autism Awareness Day and Earth Day. Additionally, Arbor Day promotes tree planting, and the Old Farmer’s Almanac provides useful information.

    updated April 12, 2025

    April is one of the four months with only 30 days. (Do you know the other three?)

    The United States has no federal holidays in April. The closest day that might be considered a recurring holiday is April Fool’s Day and I’m not fooling. From what I’ve read, the true origin of this strange observance is unknown, but there are many theories. Just be careful who and what you believe on April 1.

    Faith in April

    Lent concludes in April this year. Palm Sunday will be followed by Good Friday and Easter.

    graphic from LIGHTSTOCK.COM, affiliate link

    World Autism Month

    Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication.

    We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges.

    How people with autism learn, think, and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live independently.

    In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.

    Since then many governments, organizations, and agencies also highlight autism during April, with some choosing to call it Autism Acceptance Month.

    “Awareness is knowing that somebody has autism,” 

    “Acceptance is when you include (a person with autism) in your activities. Help (them) to develop in that community and get that sense of connection to other people.” 

    Christopher Banks, president and CEO of The Autism Society of America.

    This post I published in 2017 was one of the top 5 most viewed for that year.

    A Different Way of Seeing Autism- a book review

    “Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism” by Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP offers insights into understanding and living with autism. The book promotes a person-centered approach, emphasizing the importance of engaging, building self-esteem, and fostering joyful experiences for individuals with autism. Dr. Prizant advocates for working with their strengths rather than focusing on…

    Keep reading

    Remembering our home, planet Earth

    Photo by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels.com

    Earth Day, April 22

    For the first Earth Day in 1970, millions of Americans from all walks of life joined to start the modern environmental movement. Since then, Earth Day has grown into the largest civic event engaging billions of people from 192 countries to safeguard our planet and fight for a brighter future.

    For Earth Day on April 22nd, EARTHDAY.ORG is committed to ending plastics for human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.

    How much do you know about our Earth? Test your knowledge!

    Take an Earth Day Quiz

    In a previous post, I reviewed a book by Dr. Goodall about how taking care of our planet helps us.

    Arbor Day- Tree Planting

    In 19th century North America, pioneers began moving west into the Nebraska Territory. They missed the trees they left behind and lacked trees as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials, and for shade from the hot sun.

    On January 4, 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed a tree-planting holiday called “Arbor Day” at the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture meeting.

    Today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states. The most common date for the state observance is the last Friday in April — National Arbor Day — but in some states, Arbor Days are at other times to coincide with the best tree planting weather, from January and February in the south to May in the far north.

    While Nebraska City, NE, is the official birthplace of the Arbor Day holiday, communities around the globe gather every year to celebrate trees and plant for a greener tomorrow. Find out when countries all over the world gather together to plant and celebrate trees.

    gold memorial chairs by reflecting pool
    Trees were planted at the site of the Murrah Federal Building terrorist bombing in Oklahoma City, OK, April 19, 1995; now a memorial and museum; photo by Dr. Aletha

    .

    Old Farmer’s Almanac 2025

    Do you know what an almanac is? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an almanac is

    •  a publication containing astronomical and meteorological data for a given year and often including a miscellany of other information
    •  a usually annual publication containing statistical, tabular, and general information

    For many people, the almanac is synonymous with The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the oldest in the USA—started when George Washington was president (1789-1797).

    Each edition calculates the tides and times for fishermen, travelers, sailors, bookkeepers, beekeepers, gardeners, prognosticators, pollsters, politicians, cooks, and anyone who walks this Earth, including farmers. There are useful tools—sunrise and sunset times, weather predictions, planting calendars, Moon phase dates, and reference tables.

    “Our main endeavour is to be useful, but with a pleasant degree of humor.” 

    Robert B Thomas, Founder

    If you are a gardener you may rely on this or another almanac to know what and when to plant flowers and vegetables where you live.

    2025 Planting Calendar: When to Plant Vegetables

    In this archive post, I discuss plant-based eating and share some books and online resources.

    Surprising health benefits of plant based eating

    The post introduces two influential books and associated websites advocating for whole plant-based unprocessed foods. “The China Study” demonstrates the link between nutrition and major diseases, while “How Not to Die” proposes dietary changes to prevent and reverse diseases. These resources recommend whole foods, plant-based diets and provide evidence-based guides and recipes for healthy eating.

    Keep reading

    exploring the HEART of health in April

    Did you guess the other three months with 30 days? They are June, September, and November.

    I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

    Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

    I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

    Medical stethoscope and heart on a textured background

    Dr Aletha