The Volstead Act

 The law that enacted Prohibition was informally known as the Volstead Act, named after Andrew Volstead, the Congressman who sponsored the legislation. Officially titled the National Prohibition Act, it was passed by Congress in 1919 to provide enforcement measures for the Eighteenth Amendment, which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. Intended to reduce alcohol consumption, it instead fueled bootlegging, speakeasies, and organized crime until its repeal in 1933 by the ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment.

27th U.S. President William Howard Taft

 Before becoming the 27th president of the United States, William Howard Taft held the unique distinction of serving as governor-general of both the Philippines and Cuba. Appointed by President William McKinley, Taft served as governor of the Philippines from 1901 to 1903, where he focused on establishing a civilian government. Later, while serving as secretary of war under President Theodore Roosevelt, Taft briefly acted as provisional governor of Cuba in 1906 to help stabilize the country following a political crisis, further showcasing his administrative and diplomatic skills.

Eggs Benedict

 Eggs Benedict is a common American breakfast that consists of an English muffin that is cut in half, with each half being topped with Canadian bacon, a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce. This meal is often served for breakfast or brunch in the United States. New York City helped make it popular.

Regarding the Eggs Benedict's history, there are varying versions. Eggs Benedict was originally made in our ovens in 1860, according to the menu of Delmonico's in Lower Manhattan. Its Eggs a la Benedick recipe was also made public in 1894 by Charles Ranhofer, one of its previous cooks.

Lemuel Benedict, a retired Wall Street stock broker, claimed to have wandered into the Waldorf Hotel in 1894 and ordered "buttered toast, poached eggs, crisp bacon, and a hooker of hollandaise" in an interview published in the "Talk of the Town" column of The New Yorker in 1942, the year before he passed away. The maître d'hôtel Oscar Tschirky was so delighted with the meal that he included it on the breakfast and lunchtime menus, although he replaced ham for the bacon and a toasted English muffin for the bread.

Stevie Wonder

 Stevie Wonder wrote the iconic song "Isn't She Lovely?" to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Aisha Morris, in 1975. The joyful song captures Wonder's overwhelming love and pride as a new father. The lyrics express his amazement at her beauty and the miracle of her existence, blending heartfelt words with an upbeat melody that mirrors his happiness. The song even includes the sound of Aisha as a baby, with her coos and cries adding a personal and intimate touch. "Isn't She Lovely?" remains one of Stevie Wonder's most beloved songs.

September 9: Most Common U.S. Birthday

 If you were born on September 9, you are far from alone. According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics and the Social Security Administration, September 9th is the most common birthday in the United States, followed closely by September 19th. Of the top 10 most common birthdays, nine of them happen to be in September — with all of them falling between Sept. 9 and Sept. 20. The data was collected by looking at the average number of births per day from 1994 to 2014 - for Sept. 9, that came out to 12,301 births. That's a lot of Virgos.

P.E.I.: Prince Edward Island, Canada

 One of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories is Prince Edward Island, or PEI. It is the most densely inhabited province while having the lowest geographical area and population. The island has been given the titles "Garden of the Gulf," "Birthplace of Confederation," and "Cradle of Confederation." Charlottetown is the country's biggest city and capital. One of the four Atlantic provinces, PEI is also one of the three Maritime provinces.

It was a portion of the Mi'kmaq's ancestral territory before the French colonized it in 1604 as part of the Acadia province. Following the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, the island was given to the British and included in the province of Nova Scotia until becoming its own British colony in 1769. The Charlottetown Conference, held on Prince Edward Island in 1864 to propose a merger of the Maritime provinces, served as the precursor to a series of discussions that eventually resulted in the Canadian Confederation in 1867. When faced with financial ruin due to the Land Question and the building of a railroad, Prince Edward Island changed its mind and agreed to become Canada's seventh province in 1873.

According to Statistics Canada, 158,717 people lived in Prince Edward Island in 2019. Farming is the foundation of the island's economy; it provides 25% of Canada's potato supply. Fisheries, tourism, aerospace, bioscience, information technology, and renewable energy are other significant businesses. Being one of Canada's oldest colonies, Prince Edward Island's population still represents some of the country's original immigrants, with the majority of surnames having Canadian, Scottish, Irish, or English origins.

36th U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson

 Lyndon B. Johnson served as President of the United States from 1963 to 1969, assuming office after John F. Kennedy's assassination and later winning a full term in the 1964 election. Johnson, whose presidency ended before the 1970s, was succeeded by Richard Nixon, who served from 1969 to 1974 but became the only U.S. president to resign, stepping down amid the Watergate scandal. Gerald Ford, Nixon’s vice president, assumed the presidency following Nixon's resignation and served from 1974 to 1977. Ford was succeeded by Jimmy Carter, served as president from 1977 to 1981.

Jelly Belly Flavor: Blueberry

 At his 1981 inauguration, President Ronald Reagan added a sweet and patriotic touch to the celebration by ordering three and a half tons of red, white, and blue Jelly Belly jelly beans. To complete the tri-colored mix of Very Cherry and Coconut flavors, Jelly Belly specially created a new blue flavor—Blueberry—just for the occasion. Reagan, a devoted fan of the Jelly Belly brand, famously kept jars of their jelly beans in the Oval Office. The Blueberry flavor became an instant hit and, more than forty years later, remains one of the most popular in the Jelly Belly lineup.

Meat Loaf

 Meat Loaf was the stage name of Marvin Lee Aday, an American singer. He was renowned for his spectacular live performances and strong, versatile voice. More than 65 million records from his Bat Out of Hell trilogy—Bat Out of Hell, Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, and Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose—have been sold worldwide. The first record, which is currently on the list of best-selling albums, has been in the charts for more than nine years and is still thought to sell 200,000 copies yearly.

Aday had significant trouble building a stable career in the United States despite the economic success of Bat Out of Hell and Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell and his Grammy Award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for the song "I'd Do Anything for Love." His popularity in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where he won the 1994 Brit Award for best-selling album and single, was a major factor in his success.

Meat Loaf and Steinman started working on Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell in December 1990, and it was released in September 1993 as a result of the popularity of his touring in the 1980s. The song "I'd Do Anything for Love" peaked at number one in 28 countries thanks to the rapid popularity of Bat Out of Hell II, which resulted in the selling of almost 15 million copies. Meat Loaf received the Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo for "I'd Do Anything for Love" in March 1994 at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards.

Greek Desserts

 "Baklava," "Koulourakia," and "Galaktoboureko" are delectable desserts that have their origins deeply rooted in the rich culinary heritage of Greece. Each of these sweet creations carries its own unique flavors, textures, and traditions, offering a glimpse into the country's cultural and gastronomic richness.

"Baklava," arguably Greece's most renowned dessert, is a testament to the country's mastery of pastry-making. This centuries-old delicacy is a marvel of sweet and savory contrast. It consists of meticulously layered sheets of paper-thin phyllo pastry, carefully brushed with melted butter and interspersed with finely chopped nuts, typically walnuts or pistachios. The layers of phyllo are repeated, creating a delicate, crispy, and multi-layered structure. Once baked to a golden hue, the dessert undergoes a transformation with the introduction of a sweet syrup, often infused with aromatic ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, lemon, or orange zest. This syrup is generously poured over the baked layers, seeping into the gaps and creating a harmonious blend of textures – crisp, flaky, and tender. Baklava is often cut into geometric shapes, such as diamonds or squares, resulting in visually enticing pieces that are as delightful to behold as they are to savor.

"Koulourakia," on the other hand, represent a more modest and homely facet of Greek baking. These delightful cookies are a testament to the country's love for simple, comforting treats. Koulourakia are traditionally prepared for special occasions, particularly during Easter and other festive celebrations. They are shaped into various forms, such as twists, braids, or S-shaped spirals, showcasing the creativity and artistry of Greek bakers. The key to their irresistible charm lies in their buttery, crumbly texture and a subtle sweetness derived from sugar, often complemented by a hint of vanilla. In some variations, they are adorned with sesame seeds, enhancing their texture and flavor. Koulourakia are not overly sweet, making them an ideal companion for a cup of coffee or tea, especially during heartfelt gatherings and social occasions.

"Galaktoboureko" is yet another Greek dessert that showcases the country's passion for combining buttery pastry with creamy fillings. This dessert marries layers of buttered phyllo pastry with a luscious custard filling. The custard is prepared with milk, sugar, semolina (or farina), and eggs, resulting in a velvety and rich consistency. Once baked, the dessert undergoes its final transformation as it is drenched in a fragrant syrup, often flavored with citrus notes from lemon or orange zest. The result is a textural symphony that contrasts the crispy, golden phyllo layers with the silky smoothness of the custard. Galaktoboureko is typically portioned into squares or diamond shapes before serving, offering a delightful combination of sweet, creamy, and crispy elements.

1st U.S. President George Washington

 George Washington, often called the "Father of His Country," never had any biological children. Despite this, he played a paternal role to many, particularly as a stepfather to his wife's children, Martha Custis. When Washington married Martha in 1759, she was a wealthy widow with two young children, John "Jacky" and Martha "Patsy" Custis, whom Washington lovingly helped raise as his own. Historical accounts suggest Washington may have been rendered permanently infertile due to an illness such as smallpox or tuberculosis earlier in life.

Jane Austen's Emma

 The 1995 film Clueless, starring Alicia Silverstone, is inspired by Jane Austen's novel Emma. The film reimagines the story in a modern setting, moving from early 19th-century England to 1990s Beverly Hills. Silverstone's character, Cher Horowitz, serves as a contemporary adaptation of Austen's Emma Woodhouse—both are wealthy, socially influential young women who view themselves as skilled matchmakers. Clueless retains the core themes of Austen's work while adding a fresh, comedic spin tailored to a modern audience.

"All in the Family"

 The TV program "Maude" was All in the Family's first spin-off, and Beatrice Arthur had made two appearances as Edith Bunker's beloved cousin Maude. Producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin produced Maude, a comedy with topical plots similar to All in the Family. In two episodes of All in the Family's second season, Maude makes her first appearance as a guest to the Bunker household in December 1971 and as a backdoor pilot introducing the plot of the Maude series in March 1972. She is the beloved cousin of Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton), who has been married four times.

From September 12, 1972, through April 22, 1978, the CBS network first aired the American comedy television series Maude.  The show ran for six seasons before Bea Arthur stepped down due to poor ratings.

Bea Arthur plays the outspoken Maude Findlay in the show. Maude and her fourth husband, Walter Findlay, the proprietor of a home appliance company, reside in the New York neighborhood of Tuckahoe.  

James Joyce's Ulysses

 Leopold Bloom is the central character in James Joyce's novel Ulysses, first published in 1922. The novel chronicles a single day in Bloom's life, June 16, 1904, as he navigates the streets and interactions of Dublin. Bloom's character is an ordinary, relatable figure who embodies themes of humanity, compassion, and introspection, contrasts with the heroic image of Odysseus from Homer’s The Odyssey, which loosely inspires the novel. Bloom’s mundane yet introspective experiences explore themes of humanity, identity, and mortality.