April 11, 2022 - National Pet Day | National Submarine Day

Welcome to April 11, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate cheeky pets and amazing inventions. Pets and their owners form a special bond that others can’t truly understand. Animals often pick up mannerisms from their humans, developing very unique personalities of their own. Take, for example, Poll—President Andrew Jackson’s beloved parrot. When Jackson passed away in 1845, thousands came to pay their respects—and someone brought the parrot. And, as the minister described it: “Before the sermon…a wicked parrot…got excited and commenced swearing so loud and long as to disturb the people and had to be carried from the house.” On National Pet Day, spend some extra time with your favorite animals, just watch what you say around them. We think of the submarine as a fairly modern invention, and with good reason. The technology involved in keeping a ship underwater while providing humans with air is pretty complicated. However, the first working model of a submarine was actually created in England in 1620. Cornelis Drebbel, a Dutch engineer, built what he called a “diving boat,” a wooden vessel that could travel underwater. It used greased leather to keep air in and was propelled by oars. He showed off this invention in London and traveled along the Thames River at a depth of 15 feet. The trip only lasted about 9 miles, but considering the technology, it was wildly impressive. On National Submarine Day, we celebrate an invention that still seems amazing! 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