Today has nothing to do with the board game.

Today’s mascot has nothing to do with the actual day.

So, what are we talking about?

National Checkers Day.

National Checkers Day is the second non-holiday inspired by the 37th president of the United States. But, this time he was running for the 36th vice presidential office.

On this day in 1952 Richard M. Nixon delivered what became known as his Checkers Speech. When confronted with allegations of receiving improper election funds, Nixon trotted his family out in front an estimated 60-million viewers and orated his now famous 30-minute speech. During his talk Nixon announced his intention that his children would keep Checkers the dog though it had been gifted to he and his family.

Presidential hopeful Dwight D. Eisenhower chose to leave his running mate to the whims of public opinion. The result was Nixon expertly maneuvering the new medium to his own ends. The same medium that would help propel his competition to the the White House in 1960.

For our purposes, checkers represents National Periodicals, later DC Comics, marketing strategy beginning in February 1966 through August 1967. Known as the checkerboard stripe, DC branded its most popular titles so consumers would recognize their books on newsstands and spin racks.

Common belief is the campaign wasn’t as eye catching as hoped.

To celebrate, wear some checkered clothing, learn more about Nixon, play the board game or simply read some Silver Age DC.

Oh, and this is also known as National Dogs in Politics Day. Woof.

Remember when you really noticed comic books? Not just as bathroom reading material or a quick way to pass a lazy summer evening. No, I’m talking about when you actually started collecting them; putting together story arcs. Seeking out what came before.

For me it was the late 1970s. By the early 80’s I was smitten. The life-long affair was underway.

Amazing Spider-Man was always a first choice. This was about the time Spidey was celebrating his bicentennial. Today that era isn’t highly regarded, but will always be part of my literary pantheon.

I followed his adventures through Mesmero and Kraven and Fusion to the first Hydro Man. The Black Cat made her second appearance and Madam Web began to help our hero.

Along the way we were introduced to Peter’s neighbors. One of which had a hankering for some country and western and would caterwaul loud enough to keep Pete up at night.

Amazing Spider-Man 213

Peter couldn’t be sure who it was, but he had his suspicions. Namely a tall, lanky gentleman with a penchant for cowboy shirts.

Imagine Peter’s surprise when he accidentally knocked a hole in their shared wall only to find the culprit was a short, bearded man he’d seen around the building in a business suit: Joseph Pincus.

Though he went by the stage name Lonesome Pincus.

The awkward meeting led to a passing friendship. When Pincus landed a gig at the Brooklyn western hotspot, Mickey’s, he slipped Peter an invitation and a pass.

The initial outing could not have gone worse. Pinky’s set was booed and jeered until broken up by villain of the week Ramrod. Mad he’d been denied a chance to perform at the same bar, Ramrod had poisoned the beer causing patrons to riot. Switching genre’s, Pinkus turned off the country and poured out the blues. The old adage of music calming the savage beast proved true and Pincus saved the day.

This took place between Amazing Spider-Man issues 213 and 221.

All this to set up today’s non-holiday, International Country Music Day.

International Country Music Day was established some time around 2003 on September 17 to commemorate the birth date of Hank Williams.

Williams is considered one of the most influential country and western recording artists. In a short 29 years, Williams recorded 35 singles, each reaching a top 10 spot on the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart. Eleven of them topped the list.

Even if you don’t turn the dial over to some honky tonk, pick up those Spidey issues and give ‘em another try.

I’ve said it before and I’ll remind everyone, it wasn’t always as easy as it is today to fly your colors. There was a time when comic book fans made due with an iron on patch on a shirt or a – yes, I’m going to go there – 7-Eleven cup.

Mego brought us the World’s Greatest Superheroes. Mead had some notebooks for school. There were some cheap rack toys licensed throughout the years.

But, where did we have to go for some reach comic book merch back in the day?

Hero’s World solved that conundrum.

Hero’s World 2

This was better than the Sear’s Wishbook – for those who might remember that perennial prize that heralded the Christmas season.

I can still recall coming in the door after school and finding that grail sitting on the end table,  ready to be worshipped while pursuing hoped for presents for the coming Christmas season.

You knew the holidays were coming when this arrived.

Hero’s World began in the Marvel Comics offices with Ivan Snyder, head of licensing for the House of Ideas. He was in charge of the mail order business in the early 1970’s. Marvel was later purchased and the licensing portion of the company farmed out.

Snyder formed his own company in 1975 titled Superhero Enterprises out of his basement. He would expand to a brick and mortar location in New Jersey including a catalog showroom store. Business grew and he opened a second store where he added DC Comics merchandise.

When Marvel and DC trademarked Superhero, Snyder was forced to change the business name to Heroes World. Business continued to grow and soon Heroes World had expanded to 12 locations. In addition, the catalog portion continued.

Along the way, Heroes World began to distribute comics. Coming full circle, Heroes World was purchased by Marvel Comics in 1994. It’s purpose was to serve as Marvel Comics sole distributor.

However, it proved incapable to keeping up with demand causing Marvel to admit defeat and return to Diamond Distributors in 1997 to continue book disbursements.

Here’s the first issue of Heroes World catalog.

Maybe this will bring back memories. If not, it acts as a curiosity from a past time before the Internet and ease of current purchasing practices.

I thought about posting this a day late to stay faithful to the non-holiday, but then how would any of you know that today is National Be Late for Something Day?

Today is a day to procrastinate. Not concerning anything important, but one aspect of our life that may cause us to miss something important we may not realize we’re missing.

In short, focus on something we normally take for granted like a relaxing walk, a good book or paying attention to those around us we may take for granted.

Now, if you can believe what you read on the Internet, it was the Procrastinators Club of America who founded National Be Late for Something Day in keeping with their bylaws and beliefs. September 5 became the magic day for some reason.

Though not a member of the Procrastinator’s Club – that we are aware of – Bartholomew Henry “Barry” Allen has been named spokesperson for the day.

Those familiar with the bringer of the Silver Age understand why; Mr. Allen was habitually late for pretty much everything in his alter ego life. Future wife Iris West was the first to chide Barry on his tardiness as she was often on the end of his late arrivals.

First four color chiding of Barry Allen by Iris West in Showcase #4.

Of course, the late-to-the-party quark was the yin to his Flash’s yang.

His trademark tardiness was evident as early as his first appearance in Showcase issue four that heralded the dawn of the Silver Age and opened the door for super heroes to return to the four color world.

With origins and emcees over, return to your regularly scheduled day, but slow down and relax. If it’s not life threatening, put it on the back burner and see what you can find that is probably more important than you thought.