fun, strange holidays grouped by month

Festival of Popular Delusions Day

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festival of popular delusions dayToday is Festival of Popular Delusions Day. It is said to have originated in Germany on June 5th, 1945. Let’s begin with some background information about this mysterious holiday.

On June 6th, 1944, over 160,000 Allied soldiers landed on a 50-mile stretch of beach in Normandy, France. Nazi troops heavily guarded the area to prevent enemy access to the country’s interior. Operation Neptune, which would become known as D-Day, aimed to break through the line and free continental Europe.

The assault was initially scheduled to take place in May but had to be postponed until more landing craft could be secured. It appeared that poor weather conditions on the morning of June 6th would cause another delay. General Dwight D. Eisenhower decided to proceed as planned.

Heavy cloud cover hindered air strikes, and some airborne troops who parachuted in missed their landing zones by miles. By the end of the day, an estimated 10,000 Allied troops had been killed, wounded, or were missing in action. The Allies fought to gain ground, ultimately breaking out of Normandy on August 15th. Ten days later, they liberated Paris. German forces retreated soon afterward.

On June 6th, 1944, German troops weren’t expecting an invasion. They assumed the Allies wouldn’t attack when the bad weather would put them at a disadvantage. June 5th, 1944, turned out to be the last day the Nazis could delude themselves that they would rule the Earth for a thousand years. One year later, this holiday was inaugurated to mark the first anniversary of that day.

Supposedly, that was the inspiration for the first Festival of Popular Delusions Day. Maybe we’re delusional for wanting to believe this legend. There are undoubtedly plenty of popular delusions to choose from these days. No matter which one you pick, have a happy Festival of Popular Delusions Day!

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June 4 is Old Maid’s Day

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old maid's day

Miss Dorothy Babb

Today is Old Maid’s Day. It all began in Denton, TX, when Dorothy Babb, a Latin professor at North Texas State College (NTSC) jokingly complained she was sick of spending money on gifts for weddings, baby showers and Mother’s Day when, as a single woman, she only received presents at Christmas.

The school’s news director wrote an article seeking recognition for women who either couldn’t or wouldn’t get married. The story was picked up by the Associated Press and appeared throughout the country. Denton Mayor Mark Hannah designated August 15th, 1950, as a day to honor unmarried women.

Although ostensibly more flattering names, such as “glamor girls,” “unclaimed jewels,” or “career girls,” were suggested, Miss Babb said she preferred to be called an old maid. She added that anybody who didn’t like the name could “just go and get married.”

The first year’s event included tea at the Denton Country Club, admission to a musical performance, and a screening of the Three Stooges film, “The Brideless Groom.” Gifts were distributed to any unmarried woman who admitted to being an old maid.

By 1953, the famous old maids had received so many gifts from all over the country that they asked folks to send them instead to Girlstown in Whiteface, TX. Knowing they might never have children of their own, the ladies chose to help homeless girls.

In 1954, the celebration included a screening of Gone with the Wind and a telegram from Clark Gable. Pat Boone performed. Babb flew to Chicago to appear on a television show called “Welcome Travelers.” She’d been escorted by motorcade to Love Field, where the college’s saber drill team formed an honor guard as she got on the plane.

The following year, Governor Allan Shivers issued a proclamation affirming August 15th as Old Maid’s Day. Over time, the celebrations grew smaller. The last documented event took place in 1965.  In recent years, the practice has been revived by fans of odd holidays and moved to June 4th.

In our research, we have been unable to determine why Old Maid’s Day returned. Perhaps it’s because the expectations of women that the holiday poked fun at 66 years ago haven’t changed much. Maybe the date has been moved forward so single teachers can clean up on gifts before the school year ends. Whatever the reason, have a happy Old Maid’s Day!

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June 3 is Repeat Day

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Repeat DayToday is Repeat Day, an unofficial holiday of unknown provenance that celebrates the do-over. But does it imply that we must reenact this moment exactly as it is, in excruciating detail? Can we achieve that level of granularity or even comprehend it?

If we are able and willing to participate in this endeavor, must we start right now? (If so, must we keep reading the foregoing sentence over and over?) When is it acceptable to stop: at 11:59:59? How will we know if we can’t get past the preceding questions?

We feel the creator of Repeat Day didn’t fully consider the possible ramifications of this lighthearted holiday unless he or she is a disgruntled philosopher bent on destroying the world. We have attempted to avert an endless time-loop of navel-gazing existential paralysis by making this post so annoying that we would never be tempted to subject ourselves to a repeat reading.

Mission accomplished.

 

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International Sex Workers Day

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international sex workers day

Occupiers in Saint-Nizier Church, June 1975

Today is International Sex Workers Day, known in some countries as International Whores’ Day.

On June 2, 1975, approximately one hundred prostitutes in Lyon, France, took over the Saint-Nizier Roman Catholic church to protest dangerous working conditions.

While police harshly punished prostitutes, their johns were allowed to go free. They, along with the French government, didn’t seem to consider the women citizens worthy of legal protection.

After law enforcement failed to investigate the murders of two prostitutes, a group of them went on strike and occupied the church, demanding action and fair treatment. On June 10th, the police conducted a brutal raid, removing and arresting the protestors.

Despite the outcome, the women sparked a worldwide movement. International Sex Workers Day recognizes June 2nd as the anniversary of their efforts.

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