Today, Memorial Day, is one of America’s most solemn observances. We honor the men and women who died serving and defending our country—unlike Veterans Day, the day to honor all veterans. Amid the parades, 21-gun salutes and long weekend trips, how much do you know the holiday? Here are five Memorial Day facts. 1. The sheer carnage of the Civil War, America’s deadliest war, inspired Memorial Day as a way to honor the war dead. The observances originally were called Decoration Day because thankful Americans decorated and cared for soldiers’ graves. “Memorial Day” usage began appearing in 1882…

Today, May 5, marks Cinco de Mayo, a holiday most Americans celebrate by cracking open a few Coronas or downing margaritas. But do you know what you’re raising a glass to? Here are five facts you should know about Cinco de Mayo. 1. Cinco de Mayo is rooted in money—namely, unpaid debt. Suffering from the ravages of war and economic devastation, Mexico’s President Benito Juárez put a moratorium on repaying the country’s debts, and the French didn’t take kindly to that decision. The French army descended on Veracruz in 1862, demanding their dinero, and setting off the events of Cinco de Mayo. 2…

Today marks the 43rd annual Earth Day, a celebration that began in 1970 as a protest movement against pollution. Here are five facts about why we go green every April 22. 1. We have late U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D-WI) to thank for the official Earth Day celebration. But many credit John McConnell, an activist who proposed the day at a National UNESCO Conference in 1969, with founding Earth Day. While McConnell’s earlier Earth Day Proclamation received support from top United Nations officials, Nelson's work to have national teach-ins on April 22, 1970, spurred the national movement that …

1. Tonight’s council meeting is a combo: Reorganization and regular. There will be 54 appointments and (mostly) reappointments to various township boards and committees, as well as the appointment of several other positions, including township solicitor and engineer, and the election of the deputy mayor (currently Greg Gallo). 2. Council is scheduled to discuss and vote on an ordinance amending the township code “governing the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages”—in other words, to allow the sale of alcohol in Moorestown for the first time in a century and establish the policy …

The mystique of Christopher Columbus looms large. Generations of books have heralded him as the man who discovered the Americas (much to the presumed surprise of the people who already lived here) after arduous journeys. Other scholars have debunked these stories. Whether you loudly proclaim your Columbus love or have doubts about his deeds, don’t let this holiday go by without learning these fives facts about Christopher Columbus and Columbus Day. 1. He was born into poverty and became the greatest explorer of his time. No wait, Columbus was born into a wealthy, influential family and used …

1. Town Council will hold a special meeting tonight (Oct. 3) before its regularly scheduled meeting. The special meeting’s agenda calls for discussion on the town hall/library project. The action starts at 6 p.m. at William Allen Middle School. 2. The regularly scheduled Town Council meeting picks up at 7:30 p.m., also at the middle school. The agenda includes discussion items on road projects, the proposed Percheron Park and water and utility projects. Council also will consider first readings of two ordinances, including one to spend money on replacing lights at Jeff Young Park and Maple …

1. Township council meets at 8 a.m. Monday (today) to discuss the municipal complex project. Ragan Design Group, the project’s architects, presented a couple different options to council last week, each costing in the neighborhood of $18 million. Council will review those plans Monday at the township offices in the hopes of coming to a decision that will move the project forward, according to Mayor John Button. If you’re an early riser, the meeting is open to the public.2. The board of education meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at William Allen Middle School. An agenda had not yet been posted on …

1. Some historians credit Matthew Maguire with proposing the Labor Day holiday in 1882, when he was secretary of New York's Central Labor Union. Others recognize Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, as the founder of the American Labor Day, claiming it was McGuire, not Maguire, who organized workers for the Sept. 5, 1882, parade in New York City. Either way, Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894—a peace offering by President Grover Cleveland following the deaths of Pullman Strike workers at the hands of the military—and has been celebrated the…

1. Have a little cabin fever after being trapped inside by Irene all weekend? The non-profit “live civilly” will sponsor a dinner date fundraiser from 4-10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant in Mount Laurel. And the last free family movie night of the summer will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, at the Moorestown Community House. The Pixar film “Cars” will be shown.2. Speaking of the hurricane, Moorestown seems to have been spared the brunt of the storm. But public works crews and utility workers are still out clearing debris and restoring power. The latter could take a few …

1. The standout item from what looks to be a lively meeting tonight is likely to be the council’s votes on two resolutions directing the county clerk to place questions on the November ballot about serving liquor in Moorestown, and specifically the Moorestown Mall. Township Clerk Patricia Hunt certified petitions last week intended to get the liquor referendum before voters. Mayor John Button said, because the petitions were certified, the council is “compelled” to approve the resolutions.2. Council will provide another update on the municipal complex project. Following this latest …

1. The Board of Education returns from its summer break with a meeting Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at William Allen Middle School. The agenda had not been posted to the Moorestown school district site as of Sunday evening. 2. Comcast is offering “Internet Essentials” for low-income families in town. The deals help conquer the digital divide by offering low-cost Internet access, computers and digital literacy training. Families must meet several criteria, outlined in this letter. 3. The Appearance Committee has cancelled its meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 17. The committee also cancelled its …

Fifty years ago today, workers began erecting the Berlin Wall, which was to divide the German capital for nearly three decades. Between its construction to the joyous celebration that greeted its fall, the Berlin Wall was a physical reminder of the Iron Curtain of Communism that divided Europe post-World War II. Outside of the pithy demand from President Reagan that “Mr. Gobachev, tear down this wall,” how much do you know about the Berlin Wall’s history? Here are five Berlin Wall facts: 1. Shaky on German geography? Then you may not realize that Berlin was fully in the eastern part of the …

1. Today marks the start of August, a time when Moorestown annually quiets down. Check your favorite Moorestown businesses before heading out, some shutter during all or part of summer. 2. Registration is open for fall activities sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Get the full rundown here. 3. Who says sleepovers are just for kids? The Moorestown Library will host its end-of-the-summer stuffed animal sleepover Friday. Stop by the library or call 856-234-0333 for details. 4. Do you have a talent you're ready to share with neighbors? Bacio Catering and Marketplace is hosting …

1. Wake up this morning with a hankering to hit the links? The 8th Annual St. Charles Borromeo Golf Outing tees off this morning at Laurel Creek Country Club in Mt. Laurel. The event begins with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m., shotgun start at 10 a.m., 18 holes of championship-level golf, a 3 p.m. ball drop, 50/50 and a luncheon. Get the details at this website. 2. Escape the heat and get some free entertainment for your kids with a free movie screening Tuesday at the Moorestown Library. Up this week is Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2. 3. Town Council meets tonight, July 25, at William Allen …

1. Neil Armstrong gets the glory as the first person to walk on the moon, with Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. not far behind. But don’t forget about the third crewmember. Michael Collins remained behind in the command module while his subsequently more famous counterparts kicked up moon dust. No hard feelings. “I know that I would be a liar or a fool if I said that I have the best of the three Apollo 11 seats, but I can say with truth and equanimity that I am perfectly satisfied with the one I have,” Collins once said. 2. Apollo 11 completed an eight-day, 953,054-mile journey to the moon and back. …

1. The Appearance Committee canceled its meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 20. The next scheduled meeting is Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. The committee is pushing for the town to purchase more than $30,000 in new holiday decorations, but the project’s expense means it needs to go out to bid. Previously, the committee said the decorations needed to be ordered by mid-July for them to arrive in time for the winter holidays. 2. Moorestown’s summer concert series continues Wednesday. Rock out to the sounds of the Jersey Boomers, a group of Moorestown residents who play everything from the Beatles to …

1. Town Council will hold a joint meeting Thursday with the task force looking at the town hall/library renovation projects. The meeting is open the public, and there will be a public comment portion. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m., July 14 at 2 Executive Dr. Read the agenda here. 2. Town Council also will hold its regular meeting tonight, 7:30 p.m., at William Allen Middle School’s media center. Agenda items include extending Tom Merchel’s appointment as interim township manager and discussion on holiday decorations and Strawbridge Lake dam repairs. 3. Moorestown school district’s …

1. Moorestown Town Council and the task force looking at the town hall and library renovations will hold a joint public meeting on July 14 at 9 a.m. The meeting’s purpose is to update both bodies and the public on the project’s progress. There will be opportunity for pubic comment. The meeting will take place at 2 Executive Dr., suite 9A, in the conference room. View the agenda here. 2. The Low and Moderate Income Housing Oversight Committee’s meeting, scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m., has been canceled.  3. Tickets are on sale now for the Moorestown Theater Company’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. …

Happy Birthday, America! Our great country turns 235 years old today. All across the nation, communities will celebrate the United States' big 2-3-5 with fireworks, parades and backyard barbecues. Here are five things we at Patch thought you should ponder as you celebrate American independence: 1. As the Founding Fathers approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, there were roughly 2.5 million living in America. Today, there are an estimated 311.7 million American citizens. 2. Look up in the sky! It's a bird. It's a plane. It's ... Chinese gunpowder. The U.S. imported $190.7 …

1. Council approved the 2011 municipal budget. Two residents spoke during the public hearing before the council unanimously approved the spending plan. Read the full story here. 2. Two rounds of applause greeted the vote to preserve the Browning-Hess Farm on Lenola Road. Mayor John Button even called the move “awesome.” Read the full story here. 3. Town Council and the task force looking at the municipal complex renovation agreed to meet as soon as possible to discuss the project’s progress. Earlier, the council asked the architect to provide more details on the building’s square footage and …