Today is International Thank You Day!

I'm all for being thankful and for letting others know you are thankful for them, so a day to especially focus on being thankful is an excellent day to celebrate for sure! Nationaltoday.com says, "International Thank-You Day is celebrated yearly on January 11. It is a day which serves as a reminder we ought t express our gratitude to those who have made our lives better in some way. What better month to reflect on this than the beginning of the year? We often forget to say, 'Thank you,' because we take it for granted or we assume others know how we feel. This day was founded to recognize the importance of always saying thank you." There is some interesting history about being thankful - did you know . . .

• The word ‘thank’ is believed to have originated between c.450 and c.1100.
• The Old English noun meant “thought.” Its meaning progression was documented by the “Oxford English Dictionary,” and it became “favorable thought or feeling, goodwill.” It evolved further into “kindly thought or feeling entertained towards anyone for favor or services” by the Middle Ages.
• The practice of sending messages to friends started to become popular in the 1400s when Europeans exchanged greeting cards with family members and friends. 
• Expressions of gratitude not only come from the written word. The habit of always saying “thank you” started during the commercial revolution of the 16th and 17th Centuries. It was popular among the middle classes who used it often as it was the type of language heard as well as used in offices and shops. 
• During the Han Dynasty, 105 AD, Chinese Imperial Court officer Ts’aiLun began producing paper from old rags, fishing nets, and tree bark.
• May 6, 1840 The first adhesive postage stamp is issued in the U.K., making it easier to keep in touch with people both near and far.
• "I owe you one" is a way to express that you owe someone a favor in return for something that they’ve done for you.
• In the 18th Century, "Ta" was believed to be a shortened form of the Dutch word ‘tak,’ meaning ‘thanks.’
• "Cheers" is an informal way of saying ‘thank you,’ for example when a stranger opens the door for you.
• A "Hat Tip" is a way of saying thank you, especially on the internet after someone gives you information.

Take time today - and every day - to express thanks to the people around you - and encourage the children you love to do the same. You will find out more information on International Thank You Day at this link.