At Occano, the Sound is a gift we unwrap day after day—and share with the ones we love most. And we look forward to sharing it with you.

St. Patrick’s Day observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green. Celebrated annually on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday known for parades, shamrocks and all things Irish. From leprechauns to the color green, find out how symbols we now associate with St. Patrick’s Day came to be, and learn about a few that are purely American inventions. The Shamrock The shamrock, which was also called the “seamroy” by the Celts, was a sacred… Read More »

As the days begin to shorten and the nights become longer, we often look for things to give us some warmth and comfort through the autumn season. And one of the things that we look forward to every year is enjoying a cup of hot mulled cider. Mulled cider is a sweet cider that’s been infused with a variety of citrus fruits and spices. The “mulling” parting of the term mulled cider refers to the product being heated, sweetened, and then enhance it using mulling spices. It’s a great drink to enjoy while you celebrate National Hot Mulled Cider Day… Read More »

Gold Star Mother’s Day is a holiday that’s observed on the last Sunday in the month of September. The purpose of this holiday is to honor those who have lost a son or daughter while they were serving in the U.S Armed Forces. It’s a day on which Americans can recognize these mother’s sacrifices to the country and give them the proper measure of love, appreciation, and reverence for their loss. It’s also a day on which all Americans can take a moment to think about the sacrifices of all families who have lost a son or daughter while they… Read More »

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and “recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.” Today we celebrate Constitution Day, a day to recognize the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. In conjunction, we celebrate American Citizenship Day to recognize those who have become citizens of the United States. Throughout our history, the constitution and naturalized citizens have strengthened this country and helped form the foundation upon which it has become one of the most successful nations in the… Read More »

Observed annually on September 11th, Patriot Day honors and remembers those who were injured or killed during the terrorist attacks on the U.S on September 11, 2001. During these terrorist attacks, almost 3,000 people were killed and over 6,000 people were injured. It is considered to be one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in world history and one of the most devastating attacks on the United States since the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The September 11th Terrorist Attacks The terrorist attacks on September 11, as known as 9/11, consisted of four coordinated terrorist attacks performed by the… Read More »

Prior to the beginning of the Labor movement, conditions in American factories and mines were often deplorable during the 18th and 19th centuries. While some states had passed laws that prevented children from working, in some states children as young as 5 years old were working. For many workers, conditions were also extremely unsafe and there were very few laws that limited how long a workday should be. The labor movement began as a way to address these issues. During the 18th century, the labor movement began fighting for better wages, safer working conditions, and end to child labor and providing health benefits… Read More »

National Gooey Butter Cake Day is celebrated on August 12 every year. The holiday is dedicated to the tasty treat that is loved by many. Gooey butter cake is a dessert or pastry delicacy. It has a yeast cake foundation with a ‘goo’ mixture on top, sprinkled with powdered sugar. It’s a sticky, chewy dessert and can be found at most bakeries in and around St. Louis. Typically, gooey butter cake is served as a coffee cake. Gooey Butter Cake is a dessert like no other. I’m not even really sure why it’s called a “cake”.  The magic of cream… Read More »

Article Originally written by Alwaystheholidays August 5 is National Oyster Day. It’s a perfect day to celebrate the many ways to eat oysters, and answer the most frequently asked questions about them! Are you an oyster lover? Today is the day for you! Keep reading to learn how to celebrate National Oyster Day, fun facts about oysters, the answer to whether you will find a pearl in the next oyster you eat, and more! What is National Oyster Day? National Oyster day is a day dedicated to celebrating oysters! It is celebrated annually on August 5th.  I find that people either… Read More »

International Day of Friendship was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (U.N.). On July 30, we step back and get thankful for these relationships worldwide, as they promote and encourage peace, happiness, and unity. The U.N. encourages governments, community groups, and other organizations to coordinate activities and events that celebrate the friendships that we keep close to us. Many events focus on reconciliation, bridging understanding and consensus, and finding comfort in those friendships that feel like home. It’s important to cultivate your friendships as well. Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health What are the benefits of friendships? According… Read More »