Eliza Doolittle Day, Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, Be a Millionaire Day, more

May 20th, 2011 is Eliza Doolittle Day, Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, Be a Millionaire Day, Pick Strawberries Day, NASCAR Day, Endangered Species Day, Dayton Hamvention, Independence Day (Cameroon), National Defense Transportation Day, and National Quiche Lorraine Day. 

Eliza Doolittle Day is celebrated on May 20th each year, as set forth in lyrics from the musical, My Fair Lady: "Next week on the 20th of May, I proclaim Eliza Doolittle Day." My Fair Lady is based on George Bernard Shaw's play, Pygmalion.

The Mike the Headless Chicken Festival runs from May 20th to May 21st, much like the brave chicken who ran around after his head was cut off in 1945. Visit Fruita, Colorado, USA to participate in the 5k "Run like a Headless Chicken," the Chicken Dance Contest, lots of chicken, eating contests and more.

Gather your play money or dust off your Monopoly board in honor of Be a Millionaire Day. Buy a lottery ticket. Follow a lucky stock tip. Of course, if you're fortunate enough to be a millionaire every day, for real, feel free to disregard this holiday.

Even though today is Pick Strawberries Day, ours aren't ready yet. Perhaps I'll step outside and explain the facts to our lazy, disrespectful strawberry plants. I hope you're having better luck!

NASCAR Day is sponsored by the NASCAR Foundation and Victory Junction. Victory Junction, built in honor of Adam Petty, serves children with 24 chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses. Funds raised during various activities are used to help Victory Junction children discover what they can do, rather than focus on what they can't do.

Endangered Species Day is meant to raise awareness about the alarming number of endangered species on our planet. We must act now to preserve these creatures for our children and grandchildren.

Dayton Hamvention 2011, organized by volunteers around the world, begins today and continues through May 22nd. This year's theme is "Global Friendship." During times of crisis when even the Internet is shut down, Amateur Radio keeps the lines of communication open.

Cameroon celebrates Independence Day today. The Republic of Cameroon, home to approximately 250 ethnic groups, gained its independence in 1972.

National Defense Transportation Day is observed today, as part of National Transportation Week. President Barack Obama calls upon all Americans "to recognize the importance of our Nation's transportation infrastructure and to acknowledge the contributions of those who build, operate, and maintain it."

Today is National Quiche Lorraine Day. This classic French dish features eggs, bacon and Swiss cheese, combined and baked in a pie crust. The French know their cuisine, but plain old scrambled eggs and bacon would hit the spot right about now.

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