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In honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, I’ve sought out a few interesting facts that you may, or may not, know.

• Abraham Lincoln’s complete name is Abraham Lincoln. He had no middle name.
• Lincoln obtained a patent.  While living in Illinois as a young man, he once had to help unload a steamboat that had run aground.  He designed a method for keeping vessels afloat when navigation shallow waters through the use of empty metal air chambers attached to the side of the boat. Lincoln obtained Patent No. 6,469 in 1849 for his his idea.
• The “Lincoln” Bedroom was never his bedroom.  It was his personal office during his term.  In fact, he signed the Emancipation Proclamation here.
• The Gettysburg address is the most repeated speech throughout history.
• Lincoln had two premonitions about his death in the weeks leading up to his assassination.
• He was the tallest United States President at 6′ 3 1/4″.
• Lincoln was the first president to be born outside the original 13 states.  He was born three miles south of Hodgenville, Kentucky.
• He was the first president to sport a beard.
• During his law practice Abraham Lincoln argued one cast before the U.S. Supreme Court.  The case, presented in 1849 was Lewis v. Lewis.
• Abraham was a great wrestler.  He lost only once in about 300 matches.  His loss was to Lorenzo Dow Thomas who threw Lincoln in two straight falls.  He is even in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
• Lincoln supported women’s right to vote.
• More than 15,000 books have been written about Lincoln.

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We’re nearly half way through the year and many of us have already experienced unseasonal summer like temperatures. (I’m not complaining, are you?) Here are some of the holidays and observances coming up in June.

June 1 – Tomorrow is the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. It’s also near the end of Hurricane Preparedness Week. It never hurts to be prepared, so check out our previous posts on Traveling To The Hurricane Belt? and Cruising During Hurricane Season.

June 2 – If you happen to be traveling to the UK at the start of June be prepared for royal fever as Elizabeth II celebrates her Diamond Jubilee – 60 years on the throne. Brits are getting an extended long weekend from June 2-5 and there will be lots of street parties.

June 5 – World Environment Day. Similar to Earth Day, this United Nations observance highlights the environment. This year’s theme is the green economy.

June 14 – Flag Day, marking the adoption of the US Flag. It’s a state holiday in Pennsylvania, but nowhere else. However, you can expect parades and lots of flags flying.

June 17 – Father’s Day, when it’s Dad’s turn to be in the spotlight. He may not get as many flowers as Moms do, but it’s still a very special family celebration.

June 19 – Juneteenth. Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery in the US, though it was first observed in 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Texas was the first to make Juneteenth an official state holiday in 1980 and now 41 states mark the day either as a holiday or an observance.

June 20 – First day of summer. It’s the start of the summer solstice – the longest day of the year.

Other June Observances

• Migraine Awareness Month
• LGBT Pride Month
• African-American Music Appreciation Month

What are you looking forward to in June?

Planning a trip this summer? Check out Park Ride Fly USA’s latestdiscount airport parking coupon for big savings on off airport parking.

Cinco de Mayo is coming up on Saturday. Although we are happy to join in the celebrations, many of us don’t know what it’s really about. These fun facts about the day might help.

1. Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for the fifth of May) is a Mexican national holiday which commemorates the Battle of Puebla where the Mexicans triumphed against France in 1862.
2. The battle shows the triumph of the underdog as 4,000 Mexican soldiers fended off 6,500 French soldiers. The victory was mainly a morale booster; it took another 6 years to rout the French altogether.
3. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo has nothing to do with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16.
4. The celebration is biggest in Puebla but is also widely celebrated in the US. Some believe that’s because of people in former territories of Mexico continue to celebrate it. The celebrations continue to spread, with more than 150 celebrations noted in a 2006 study. Read more »

It’s another April holiday but only for a few. While Bostonians know today as Marathon Monday, for other residents of Massachusetts and Maine, the third Monday in April is Patriot’s Day – a state holiday. Here are some interesting facts about Patriot’s Day.

1. Patriot’s Day commemorates the events that led eventually to American independence. The celebrations last throughout the weekend.
2. Massachusetts, Maine and much of the Eastern United States were British colonies until the late 18th century.
3. Maine was once part of Massachusetts.
4. Lexington and Concord were the locations for early battles in the American War of Independence.
5. The American Revolution started on April 19, 1775.
6. The American War of Independence or American Revolution was once known as the American Revolutionary War.
7. Although this date is officially listed as a holiday in Tennessee, it is not a public holiday there.
8. Although Patriot’s Day is a public holiday in those states, it is not a federal holiday.
9. Many people celebrate the day by re-enacting the historical battles that started the war. These take place at Lexington Green and the Old North Bridge.
10. One important feature of the re-enactment is a ride retracing the route of Paul Revere and William Dawes when they warned that the British were coming.
11. In Wisconsin, where the date is not a holiday, there is special education in schools about these events on April 19.
12. Patriots Day has been observed since the 18th century. In addition to battle re-enactments, flag raising and costume parades form part of the celebrations.

Looking for Patriot’s Day celebrations? Here’s a list of events planned for Patriot’s Day 2012.

Don’t forget about our airport parking coupon if when you fly into Massachusetts or Maine for Patriot’s Day.

Image: mcritz/Flickr

It’s Easter! To mark the holiday we’ve compiled some fun facts about this season. Hope you enjoy them.

1. The date of Easter Sunday changes every year because it’s celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon. The Paschal Full Moon is part of the Ecclesiastical Calendar and varies considerably, so Easter Sunday can be any time from March 22nd to April 25th. Still confused? Maybe this will help.

2. The original date of Easter was first fixed in 325AD.

3. In the Christian calendar, Easter marks the rebirth of Christ and the end of the 40 days of Lent.

4. Good Friday is an official holiday in 12 US states (and if you’re in one of those states, enjoy the long weekend).

5. Easter is celebrated at different times by Eastern and Western Christians. That’s because the dates for Easter in Eastern Christianity are based on the Julian Calendar.

6. There’s a link between Easter and Passover and in some countries and languages, the words for the two feasts are related.

7. Eggs are associated with Easter because they are a symbol of starting new life. It’s believed that eggs have been given to celebrate the spring equinox for more than 2 millennia.

8. The Easter Bunny tradition made its way to the US in the 18th century. It is believed to have originated in Europe where it was actually the Easter Hare. Other Easter traditions include wearing Easter bonnets, making Easter baskets and having Easter egg hunts.

9. Easter eggs may be painted and decorated hard boiled eggs. Often today they are chocolate eggs or plastic eggs filled with candy.

10. The Annual White House Easter Egg Roll was originally held at the Capitol in the 1870s.

11. Around 90 million chocolate bunnies are made for Easter each year. Jelly beans are also a favorite in the US, with about 16 million eaten at this season each year. The only time Americans eat more candy than Easter is at Halloween. Hot cross buns are another Easter tradition.

12. The largest Easter egg ever made was around 9,000 pounds. It needed a steel frame for internal support.

Happy Easter!

Image: Stiefen Schlingen