World Kindness Day is Nov. 13. It’s a day to promote being kind to each other, to yourself and to the world!

The occasion was first introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. This organization was formed at a Tokyo conference in 1997, when Japan brought kindness organizations of multiple nations together and emphasized the necessity of a global kindness movement. Today, over 28 countries are part of the World Kindness Movement group!

On this day in 1918, the Allied nations signed a peace agreement with Germany, effectively ending the Great War. A year later, President Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day to celebrate with parades and gatherings.

In May of 1938, Armistice Day became a legal holiday dedicated to the cause of world peace, and to honoring World War I veterans. After World War II and the war in Korea, Congress changed the name of the holiday to “Veterans Day” to honor American veterans of all wars.

Nov. 1 is National Author’s Day! One well-known author and playwright from Illinois is Lorraine Vivian Hansberry. Hansberry was born in 1930 in Chicago to Carl Augustus Hansberry, a successful real estate broker, and Nannie Louise Perry, a driving school teacher and ward committeewoman.

From a young age, Hansberry and her family were involved in the Black community and the fight for civil rights. The Hansberrys received regular visits from people like activist W.E.B. Du Bois, poet Langston Hughes and Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens.

Did you know, that National Cat Day, celebrated on Oct. 29 each year, was created to raise awareness of the number of adoptable cats in need of loving homes. If you’re looking to adopt, start at a local shelter or sanctuary, like Forever Home Feline Ranch (FHFR) in Springfield.

FHFR is a nonprofit organization focused on rescuing unwanted and homeless cats and kittens. The organization aims to give every cat possible a second chance at life, either in their sanctuary or in their new forever home. At FHFR, the cats are housed in an open environment where cages are not used. FHFR does not euthanize any cats housed in their shelter, and they hope to one day turn Central Illinois into a no kill-community.

The earliest description of what is now often called a cupcake was in 1796, when a recipe for "a light cake to bake in small cups" was written in American Cookery by Amelia Simmons. The earliest documentation of the term cupcake itself appeared in 1828 in Seventy-five Reciepts for Pastry, Cakes, and Sweetmeats, a cookbook by Eliza Leslie.

Enjoy a sweet treat today on National Chocolate Cupcake Day! Make some at home using your favorite recipe, or check out one here.

If baking isn’t your thing, support a local bakery to get a fix for your sweet tooth!