October 26, 2021 – National Tennessee Day | National Mule Day

Some Places Roll Out The Red Carpet For The Oddest Reasons. Welcome to October 26, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the Southern hospitality of our feathered friends and the workhorse of the Old West.  If you find yourself in Memphis, Tennessee, it’s likely because you are there to visit Graceland. But once you’re done exploring Elvis Presley’s mansion, head downtown to the Peabody Hotel. Here you’ll find one of the most unique traditions in the country. Each day, there’s a duck parade at the Peabody. The hotel literally rolls out the red carpet and leads a procession of ducks through the lobby. As the web-footed celebrities pass by onlookers, they get into the elevator and go to their “Duck Palace” on the roof. It’s National Tennessee Day, when we celebrate the Volunteer State and all its citizens. Feathered and otherwise.  One of the great unsung heroes of the Old West wasn’t even a person. It was the mule. These animals are a hybrid of a female horse and a male donkey, and they inherited the best traits from each of their parents. Mules are athletic and intelligent.  They also have greater range of vision and are more sure footed than either the horse or donkey.  Plus they are more even tempered. All of these traits added up to one perfect animal for helping settlers expand across America. Mules could carry heavy loads, walk longer distances, and navigate rugged terrain and they were the perfect pack animal and companion for cowboys. On National Mule Day, tip your hat to the animal that helped tame the West, and did so without any complaints.  I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.