National Friendship Day is observed on the first Sunday of August, which this year falls on August 2. The day traces its roots to the greeting card industry of the 1930s and was formally recognized by Congress in 1935. The name sounds light, but the research behind it is not. Loneliness is more common than many people realize, and it has real consequences that go beyond emotions or general wellbeing.

Each May, the United States celebrates National Small Business Month, honoring the entrepreneurs and local companies that power communities nationwide. While large corporations often dominate headlines, small businesses form the backbone of the American economy, driving innovation, job creation, and community development.