Welcome to Worldwide Weird Holidays, where you’ll find a new reason to celebrate every day of the year.
Inconvenience Yourself Day
Inconvenience Yourself Day has been celebrated on the fourth Wednesday in February since 2006. Julie Thompson, president of Environmental Resources Network in Fort Lauderdale, FL, created the holiday to encourage us all to recognize how our actions impact the lives of those around us. It’s easy to become so focused on our own crazy to-do lists that […]
International Pancake Day
Today is International Pancake Day, but it’s not about eating pancakes. It celebrates a race that was first run in 1445 by housewives in Olney, England. Since 1950, the townsfolk compete against each other and the women of Liberal, Kansas. According to legend, the tradition dates back to 1445 in Olney. A housewife was making pancakes, […]
February 7 is Super Bowl Sunday
Today is the 50th annual Super Bowl Sunday. At 6:30 pm, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, the Carolina Panthers will battle the Denver Broncos for the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named after the coach who won the first two Super Bowls. The trophy is 22 inches tall, made of sterling silver by jeweler Tiffany & […]
American Fancy Rat and Mouse Show 2016
January 30th is the 2016 American Fancy Rat and Mouse Show, sponsored by the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA). AFRMA was founded in 1983 to promote the breeding and exhibition of fancy rats and mice, to educate the public about their positive attributes as intelligent, affectionate pets, and provide information on their proper […]
January 1 is First Day of Shakespeare400
Shakespeare400 is an umbrella term for dozens of events in the United Kingdom scheduled throughout 2016 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death and his (mostly) posthumous effect on world culture. The year’s activities will highlight the many art forms the Bard has influenced by sponsoring theatre, music, opera, dance and educational programs to reach […]
Banished Words List Day of 2015
Since 1976, Lake Superior State University (LSSU) has issued an annual List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-Use, Over-Use or General Uselessness. LSSU accepts nominations for banishment from around the globe, covering all manner of words and phrases worthy of exile. Without further ado, we bring you the Banished Words List of […]
December 19 is Super Saturday
Did you miss Black Friday, sleep through Cyber Monday and get confused by Green Monday? (The latter isn’t a day to shop for eco-friendly gifts. “Green” stands for money and was dreamed up by the folks at eBay, who deserve style points for their honesty.) Super Saturday always falls on the last Saturday before Christmas. It’s […]
December 5 is Chester Greenwood Day
Chester Greenwood Day Even if you’ve never heard of Chester Greenwood, chances are, he’s been keeping your ears warm for years. Greenwood was born on December 4, 1858, in Farmington, Maine. At the age of fifteen, he fashioned the first pair of earmuffs, with his grandmother’s help, from wire, beaver fur and velvet. He was […]
December 3 is Make a Gift Day
Today is Make a Gift Day. The holidays are nearly here; time is running out. Save your cash and make something by hand. It’s fun to do and a homemade gift will mean much more to your loved ones than something you buy in a store. Here are seven ideas to get you started. (And be […]
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has become a worldwide symbol of the holiday season. The lighting on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving is celebrated with live musical performances at Rockefeller Plaza and broadcast across the globe and Internet. What’s the story of this tree? Worldwide Weird Holidays investigates. The Giving Tree Gardiner, New York has one less […]