Show National Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on September 4. The day's purpose is to raise awareness about endangered species and their habitats, which need to be protected and rescued. It is also a day to recognize the work that some animal sanctuaries and zoos do to help preserve wildlife and to educate their visitors about the dangers that animals face and how they can help. This goal is so important that National Wildlife Day is observed twice a year: on September 4 and February 22. The celebration is not the same as World Wildlife Day, which is a separate event held in March and supported by The UN. BackgroundNational Wildlife Day was founded in 2005 by Colleen Paige, to bring awareness to the problems that the planet's wildlife faces. In September of 2006, the world lost one of its best wildlife experts and conservationists, Steve Irwin. In his honor, Paige dedicated National Wildlife Day to him and his work, and added the date of February 22, Steve Irwin's birthday, as the second observance of National Wildlife Day. This is a day when preservation organizations and sanctuaries can get attention to promote their work and teach people about how crucial it is that we keep endangered animals and their habitats safe. Animal extinction often happens because of human actions, so it is important to educate people on how they can help at preventing this. Many animals are defenseless and count on our help to survive, this day should inspire us all to do good and take action. Wildlife in needNational Wildlife Day draws our attention to some of the dilemmas our planet faces, with not only animals being endangered, but also rarer forms of flora and fauna. According to The International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are 40,084 species facing the threat of extinction and 8722 of those are critically endangered, In North America, this includes animals such as:
What to do on National Wildlife DayIf you have a special interest in animals and conservationism, check with zoos and sanctuaries near you to see if they need any volunteers. If you are unable to donate your time, or you have no animal sanctuaries near you, set up a monthly donation to a zoo or preservation organization, or sponsor one of their animals. Since wildlife isn't just about animals, but all nature, you use this day as an opportunity to go for a hike or a camping trip. Maybe try to escape the busy city life and connect with the nature around you for a bit, exploring the great outdoors. While you're at it, keep the environment safe for animals by cleaning any trash that you find left behind by other people before you.
American entertainer Joan Rivers—who first gained fame in the 1960s as a nightclub and television comic known for the catchphrase “Can we talk?” and who later critiqued celebrities' wardrobes—died in New York City. Sort fact from fiction in our pop culture quiz Fred R. Conrad—The New York Times/Redux
Australian wildlife conservationist and television personality Steve Irwin, who achieved worldwide fame as the exuberant and risk-taking host of The Crocodile Hunter (1992–2006) TV series and related documentaries, was killed by a venomous bull stingray. Lucy Nicholson—AP/REX/Shutterstock.com
American singer Kelly Clarkson became the first winner of the reality television series American Idol. Test your knowledge of songs and music stars © Anthony Correia/Shutterstock.com
The American search engine company Google Inc. was formally established as founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page filed incorporation papers. Take our quiz about tech companies © Google Inc. Used with permission.
A revival of The Price Is Right began airing with Bob Barker as host; it was a huge hit, becoming one of the longest-running game shows on American television. Take our pop culture quiz PRNewsFoto/Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc./AP Images
The Ford Motor Company introduced the Edsel automobile, which was perhaps its most notable failure. How much do you know about American industry and innovation? Ralph Fountain—Las Vegas Review Journal/AP Images
Novelist and short-story writer Richard Wright, among the first African American writers to protest white treatment of blacks, was born. Test your knowledge of African American writers Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (LC-USW3-030278-D)
Napoleon III, who ruled France first as president (1850–52) and then as emperor (1852–70), was deposed and the Third Republic proclaimed. How much do you know about French history? Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (digital. id. pga 03463)
John Hunt Morgan, the Confederate guerrilla leader of “Morgan's Raiders,” was killed by Federal troops. Take our American Civil War quiz Courtesy Meserve-Kunhardt Collection
French author and diplomat François-Auguste-René, vicomte de Chateaubriand, who was one of the country's first Romantic writers and France's preeminent literary figure in the early 19th century, was born. Test your knowledge of French literature Wellcome Library, London (CC BY 4.0)
King Athelstan of the West Saxons became the first king to rule all of England. Take our kings of England quiz Courtesy of the Master and Fellows of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; photograph, The Conway Library, Courtauld Institute Galleries, London Home Calendar Holidays Fun 4 September Don't be shy, guiltlessly dig into an extra helping of dessert. Read more See all Fun Holidays 4 September 2022 – Other Holidays this dayCreate Calendar with HolidaysAdvertisingOther Fun Holidays around 4 SeptemberCelebrate the bicentennial anniversary of any imaginary or real person or event of their choosing. The unofficial holiday is dedicated to skyscrapers and the art and science of building them. Take a break from your busy schedule and be deliberately late for an event. It may be the simplest of its kind, but it is no less delicious. Celebrate the humble cheese pizza by treating yourself to a slice or two today. |