International Eye Donation Day

On June 10, we celebrate International Eye Donation Day (also known as World Eye Donation Day). Since many people aren’t aware of this day, this post will shed light on what it’s all about.

Though all organs of the body are equally significant, eyes can somehow be considered a little more special. It renders us vision and lets us enjoy the aesthetics that the world has to offer. However, due to several kinds of visual impairments, many people lose their vision and the world turns dark to them. We can give them the gift of light by a simple step of eye donation.

Blindness is a major cause of concern around the world today. According to WHO, after cataract and glaucoma, blindness is mostly caused by corneal impairments. Most of these impairments are curable, specially through eye donation, which refers to donating one’s eyes after death. Just like any other body organ, the cornea of the eye can also be donated after death which will render vision to the blind.

Donated eyes are used to restore vision in people suffering from corneal blindness. Cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye. If it is impaired, vision is reduced or lost. In such cases, vision can be restored by a simple surgery called keratoplasty wherein the cornea is replaced. As of today, there is no other solution for corneal blindness than the replacement of cornea.

 

World Handicrafts Day

The World Handicrafts Council was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). June 10 marks the World Handicrafts Day and celebrates the skill of artists and the glamour of handicrafts produced with time-consuming processes all around the world.

The first World Conference on Handicrafts was held on June 10, 1964, in New York, after developed countries developed an artistic and cultural approach to post-World War II. The conference was attended by a number of university professors, artists and craftsmen from 40 countries.

At the end of the conference, the establishment of the "World Council of Handicrafts" was approved as a subsidiary of UNESCO and its secretariat was appointed in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The council was to pursue the following goals:

- Encourage, assist and guide artisans as well as raise the level of their specialized and professional information according to the different cultural contexts in each of the member countries

- Preservation and strengthening of handicrafts and its manifestation as a major element of the cultural life of nations

- Creating solidarity among handicraftsmen around the world 

It was in 2010 that Iran proposed allocating a day to handicrafts and set June 10, the date of the council, for it. The World Handicrafts Council approved the proposal, and the day was renamed World Handicrafts Day, or WHD for short.

 

National Herbs and Spices Day - USA

We celebrate flavour each year on June 10 during National Herbs and Spices Day to recognize the diversity and quality offered by using both fresh and dried herbs and spices in your cooking. 

All year long, herbs and spices are essential to cooking. As the summer heats up, developing a knack for cooking with fresh herbs brings brightness and flavour to grilling and the kitchen. Herbs and spice not only add flavour to your meals, they also add colour by bringing a vibrancy that might have otherwise been missed.

Herbs and spices have been used for many hundreds of years. They make our food delicious and also have its specific health benefits. In fact, these 6 spices and herbs will improve your health:

1. Sage improves memory function in the brain.
2. Peppermint reduces nausea.
3. Turmeric is said to have anti-inflammatory benefits.
4. Cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels which can benefit diabetes.
5. Cayenne pepper helps reduce appetites.
6. Rosemary is good for treating allergies.

Herbs and spices add character to certain beverages, too. Mint, sage, chamomile, lavender, and many others add subtle flavour to hot and cold drinks.

Growing your own herbs and spices is a great way to add fresh variety to your food. Herbs raised in your home add an aromatic and natural fragrance to the air as well. Besides, raising your own herbs can be a form of relaxing therapy.

How To Observe Herbs And Spices Day

Plant a herb garden and start using those herbs to create your own supply of herbs and spices. Some great plants to start with include dill, fennel, basil, sage, thyme, and cilantro.

Participate in Herbs and Spices Day by reviewing your stock of dried herbs and spices. Over time, their quality degrades. Be sure to store dried herbs and spices in a cool, dark area and in sealed containers. You can test your herbs and spices for freshness by crushing or rubbing some into the palm of your hand and sniffing. If the fragrance is still pungent, then the quality is still there. However, if you only catch a dull, dusty smell, it's probably time to replace the herb or spice. 

Share your favourite herb or spice on social media using the hashtag #HerbsAndSpicesDay.

 

Portugal Day

Portugal Day is the official national holiday of Portugal, and it is observed on June 10 each year. In Portugal, this day is usually called ‘Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas,’ which translates to ‘Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities.’

The day is intended to remember the death of Luís de Camões, who is recognized as the country’s greatest national icon. He is most known for his poem, which narrates the story of Portuguese explorations in the 15th century and has since been accepted as a national poem in Portugal. However, because his birth date is uncertain, his death date, June 10, 1580, is commemorated as Portugal’s National Day.