31 October 22

For the sheer length of name and title, it's hard to beat Sir Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck, Lord of Nyenhuis, Peckedam and Gellicum, who was born on this date in 1761. (His surname has 12 consonants and (only) 4 vowels!) He rose to official prominence under Napoleon's rule, becoming Grand Pensionary of the Batavian Republic from 1805 to 1806. My tie is super-long to make you "schmile" for Schimmelpenninck.

8 January 19

Celebrating National Argyle Day in style . . . I have no true argyle tie, so this sweater gives me the chance to wear a plain solid gray wool tie! Read this article to understand the history and political significance of argyle.

24 August 17

My wife Beth suggested this ash-gray tie to mark the 1,938th anniversary of the massive eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. The lava and ash buried the Roman settlements of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis and Stabiae , resulting in the deaths of 15,000-20,000 humans.

12 July 17

Yes, there are special occasions for wearing a simple, solid gray tie on a white shirt. Today is Simplicity Day, honoring the birthday of Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862). From Walden:
"Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail."

24 September 15

For National Punctuation Day, I'm making a a strong declaration with a black shirt, solid gray wool tie and a "period" tie tack. The National Punctuation Day site is sponsoring a contest this year for essays answering the question, "What Are The Top 10 Ways Proper Punctuation Has Affected Your Life?" (Entries are accepted through 31 October.) Are you always conscious of the apostrophe's proper uses? Wouldn't it be great if the interrobang would become widely used‽