October 9, 2021 – I Love Yarn Day | National Chess Day

If You Watched This Game In Real Time, You'll Remember The Surprise Ending! Welcome to October 9, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a soft spot for wool and a warm spot in the Cold War.  In 1974, the sci-fi classic Doctor Who cast a new actor in the lead role. Costume designer James Acheson was given the task of creating a unique look for the Doctor. He thought the costume should have a scarf and he asked his friend Begonia Pope to knit one. Acheson dropped off several balls of yarn and went on his way. Begonia began knitting, and because she wasn’t sure how long the scarf should be, she didn’t stop until every last inch of yarn had been used. The result was a ridiculously long scarf that was about 18 feet long. This colorful accessory became the trademark look for Tom Baker’s incarnation of Doctor Who. On I Love Yarn Day, express your own textile taste and don’t be afraid to go over the top! During the Cold War, the Soviet Union seemed invincible at the game of chess.  For decades, every single World Championship was won by a Soviet player.  When an American named Bobby Fischer made it to the championships in 1972, the whole world was watching to see what would happen.  Fischer lost the first two matches to the reigning champ Boris Spassky and it looked as if the Soviet streak would continue.  Then Fischer staged one of the greatest comebacks in the history of competitive chess.  His performance was so impressive that the crowd broke out into applause after his win.  Even Spassky gave Fischer a standing ovation.  On National Chess Day, celebrate the ultimate game of strategy that can still bring the world together.  I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.