September 16, 2021 – National Pawpaw Day | National Play-Doh Day

Welcome to September 16th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate an all American fruit and dough reinvented. If you’re a fan of tropical fruits then you’ll know that their origins lie in faraway lands. Which is why it may surprise you to learn that pawpaw originated here in the United States. This fruit is often confused with papaya, though their color, taste and texture are quite different. The pawpaw has been called a Kentucky Banana or Hillbilly Mango, which gives you a hint at its tropical flavor. It was reportedly a favorite of George Washington and part of the Monticello garden cultivated by Jefferson himself. During the Corps of Discovery, Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals that they were quite fond of the pawpaw. At one point during their expedition in 1806, they relied on this food when other provisions ran low. On National Pawpaw Day, celebrate a tropical fruit with all American roots. Fun is in the eye of the beholder. Take wallpaper cleaner for example. When Joe McVicker first invented his clay, it was useful for picking up soot. But when the fuel in our furnaces changed from coal to oil, wallpaper cleaner was no longer needed. That’s when Joe saw a new life for his compound and in the hands of some preschoolers, an idea took shape. The toy showed promise when he renamed it Play- Doh and added some color, but it took a certain captain to move it up the ranks. When Captain Kangaroo featured Play-Doh on his new CBS show, the clay became a household name. Inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame in 1988, it’s hard to imagine a world without this creative invention. On National Play-Doh Day, celebrate the spirit of fun that still fuels our kids’ imaginations. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices