Do you celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day almost every day? Do you make a big pot of your favorite chili to accompany the chips on National Chili Day? Are you so thankful for Tennis Day that you challenge everyone you know to your own private tennis tournament?

You could use one of the following unusual, little-known holidays to add a touch of something different to our stories. If you write mysteries, a crime could be centered around one of these lesser known holidays. Of if you write historical fiction, the origins of one of these unusual holidays could be the focus of your story.

International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day - Since no one knows who created this day, do you think it could have been a canine? I'm sure those who own dogs appreciate dog biscuits, but if my guess is right, the dogs probably enjoys them even more.

Why not write a story that tells about a dog who creates this special day? Oh, and be sure to give your Fido or your Precious some dog biscuits on this day. If you want to make the dog biscuits extra-special, try making them yourself. I'm sure he or she will thank you.

Tennis Day - Tennis is a popular sport and a great way to exercise. The game, first created by European monks, dates back several thousand years. A tennis racket was not used to hit the ball with at first, the hand was. Next came a leather glove, then finally, a kind of tennis racket was used. On this day that celebrates the creation of this wonderful pastime, why not go out and play a few games of it?

If you don't play tennis or if the weather isn't good enough for you to play tennis on this day, why not research the game a bit and write a story on the beginnings of this day?

Diesel Engine Day - On February 23, 1893, Rudolf Diesel received a patent for his diesel engine. Instead of gasoline, this engine burns fuel oil and uses compressed air in the cylinder instead of a spark to ignite the fuel. Perhaps you drive a car that runs on diesel. This would be a great day to investigate the beginnings of this type of engine.

The life of Rudolf Diesel and his fabulous creation would be a great basis for a work of historical fiction.

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day - How many girls out there like engineering? On this day, women engineers reach out and introduce girls to engineering. They show these young ladies just how engineers are chaniging our world and encourage them to be a part of it.

Maybe you would like to write a story about how an interest in engineering changes the life of a young girl for the better.

National Chili Day - Many historians believe that chili originated in Texas where Native American, Mexican, and Spanish culinary traditions collided with each other. However and wherever chili was created, it makes an awesome meal, especially during the cold and dreary months of winter. Chili makes your house, especially your kitchen, smell really inviting. And this wonderful dish warms up your insides, even when it is freezing outside. My family's favorite chili is Whistle Stop Chili. This chili comes to us from the state of Alabama. There are numerous other types of chili out there. No matter what type of chili you enjoy, why not make a big pot of it on this day?

You could write a tale on how chili was created. Or you could write a story about a chili cooking contest. A mystery surrounding a prize-winning chili recipe that is worth millions would make a great story. Are there any more that you can think of?

National Tortilla Chip Day - The snack of tortilla chips, with or without salsa, is very popular today. Who brought corn chips to the United States? Elmer Doolin, a businessman from Texas, is the one who brought the recipe for corn chips to the United States from Mexico. On this day, celebrate by having having some corn chips with the leftover chili you made yesterday for National Chili Day.

The origin of this day is not known, but it was probably a started by a company trying to promote their own brand of corn chips. Use the wonderful imagination you have as a writer and come up with a really strange and interesting beginning for this tasty day.