July 25, 2021 – National Wine & Cheese Day | National Merry Go Round Day

This Classic Carnival Ride Was Inspired By Jousting Knights!

Welcome to July 25th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a dynamic duo and the ride that proves what comes around goes around. 

According to Greek Mythology, Aristaeus was the god of olive-growing, bee-keeping, and…most importantly…cheese-making. To add to his repertoire, he asked his uncle to teach him how to make beer and wine. And as far as teachers go, Aristaeus couldn’t ask for a better one. Because his uncle, Dionysus was also the god of wine. We can’t be sure, but this was likely the beginning of one of history’s greatest pairings: Wine and cheese. Whether it’s port and gorgonzola or chardonnay and cheddar, these two things were made for one another. On National Wine & Cheese Day, enjoy a delicious pair courtesy of the Olympians.

No amusement park would be complete without a classic roller coaster or merry-go-round. But the oldest of these rides was first depicted in 500 AD during the Byzantine Empire.  Baskets that carried a rider were suspended from a central pole and whirled around in a circle.  The more modern carousel was inspired by the sport of Jousting, but not the dangerous medieval kind.  Apparently in the 12th century knights made a game of riding in a circle and tossing a glass ball filled with perfume at one another.  This required great skill and horsemanship to avoid dropping the ball, which would prove a shameful and smelly defeat. On National Merry-Go-Round Day, celebrate a classic ride that’s been around the block.  

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.


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