April | Special Occasions of the Year

April is not just known for April Fools’ Day, but did you know that it is also recognized as National Humor Month?

This month is significant worldwide as it marks the arrival of spring.

In ancient Rome, April was considered the second month of the year before King Numa Pompilius pushed January and February at the beginning, demoting April to fourth place.

Unfortunately, April never won a medal.

Further research shows that the Finnish gave April the most metal name, referring to it as the “slash-and-burn-(month)” due to the practice of burning forests to create fields.

Let’s check out some special days in April!

If you want to learn about historical events that happened on each day in April, click the link on the dates.

1st April – One Cent Day.

April 1st is One Cent Day. Since 1909, it has featured Abraham Lincoln’s face and costs the U.S Mint 2 cents to make.

If you fall for a “penny glued to the floor” trick today, keep in mind that it’s that coin’s day to shine.

2nd April – Ferret Day.

Today focuses on “ferret issues such as welfare, care, nutrition and responsible ownership,” according to the American Ferret Association. But once you’re done, go play with a ferret. Their favorite game is called the “weasel war dance,” involving hopping around and bumping into things.

3rd April – Find A Rainbow Day.

On Find a Rainbow Day, you’re not searching for the pot of gold, but the rainbow itself. April 3rd is the most likely time to see rainbows, with the spring rains and brighter skies. They even appear at night, known as moonbows, if the moonlight is bright enough, though they’re usually white.

4th April – Walk Around Things Day.

The name of this day is meant to be taken both literally and figuratively. Today, you must physically walk around obstacles while also avoiding uncomfortable situations by walking around them verbally. This day was likely created by someone who believes that getting out of an awkward situation isn’t tricky enough and that we tend to walk into things frequently.

5th April – Deep Dish Pizza Day.

Deep Dish Pizza Day is another occasion to celebrate pizza, this time a variation invented in Chicago in 1943.

Deep dish pizza has a thicker crust compared to flatbread pizza and is baked in a pan similar to a cake pan to make room for toppings. Teflon Day is celebrated on April 6th to honor the accidental invention of Teflon by Dr. Roy Plunkett in 1938. No Housework Day is observed on April 7th, giving people an excuse to skip their chores or help someone else do theirs. Empanada Day falls on April 8th, and is a day to enjoy the many varieties of this pastry, which can be sweet or savory, vegetarian or meat-filled. Name Yourself Day on April 9th encourages people to try out a new name for 24 hours. Encourage A Young Writer Day on April 10th is a day to inspire young writers to pursue their literary dreams. Teach Children To Save Day on April 11th is sponsored by the American Bankers Association to encourage saving money from a young age. Finally, Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day on April 12th is a day to indulge in this classic comfort food.

Grilled cheese sandwiches can be made in various ways, including frying them, toasting them in an oven, or grilling them on a barbecue. Don’t blame the makers if you get burned while eating one.

April 13th is Scrabble Day, where triple letter scores and rare consonants are celebrated. Scrabble started out as Criss-Crosswords in 1938 and was later simplified and renamed by James Brunot. Slechow and Righter eventually bought the rights to the game, but it ended up in the hands of Hasbro after several business acquisitions.

April 14th is Reach As High As You Can Day, where people are encouraged to pursue their dreams and actively work towards achieving their goals. Take this day to make your dream a reality and remember where you got the advice when you achieve it.

On April 15th, Take a Wild Guess Day was created to be silly and lighthearted. However, it coincides with tax day in the U.S., so hopefully those doing their taxes don’t take the spirit of the day too seriously.

Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day falls on April 16th, but it may only be appropriate for office workers and retail employees. While pajama bottoms may be comfortable, they may not provide enough coverage for some workplace activities.

Haiku Day is celebrated on April 17th, where the poetic form of haiku is recognized. Haikus began as introductions to longer poems, but eventually became an independent art form. Try counting syllables and creating your own haiku on this day.

Finally, Animal Crackers Day is celebrated on April 18th. This snack has been popular for over a century and is enjoyed by people of all ages.

These adorable little snacks have been around since 1902, and today we celebrate the famous monkey that helped Ben Affleck seduce Liv Tyler in Armageddon, as well as all 36 of its delicious friends.

On the 19th of April, we observe Hanging Out Day. Don’t let the name deceive you – it doesn’t involve spending time with your Xbox and a bag of chips. Instead, it’s about hanging your laundry outside to dry, rather than using a dryer. Created in 1995, Hanging Out Day aims to draw attention to the amount of energy we consume each day and reduce it by one appliance. Since electric dryers can account for up to 10% of a household’s energy consumption, and natural sunlight and wind are free, dryers were chosen as the appliance to turn off. So hang your laundry out to dry and do your part in saving the world, one load of laundry at a time.

April 20th is Chinese Language Day. Mandarin is the language with the most native speakers, with 955 million people speaking it as of 2010, which is 14% of the world’s population. So today, learn a simple Mandarin phrase and say it repeatedly until everyone around you knows what it means. This is one way to teach your friends a little bit at a time.

On April 21st, we celebrate Kindergarten Day. This is the perfect time to nap, finger paint, and sing songs about different animals from the barnyard. The first kindergartens were established in 18th-century Bavaria to deal with all the tantrums of young children. Although the name “kindergarten” literally translates to “child garden,” it was coined by German educator Friedrich Frobel, who intended it to be metaphorical. The idea behind kindergarten is to allow children to grow into social beings naturally.

April 22nd is Jelly Bean Day. These delectable treats come in practically any flavor you can imagine, so there’s something for everyone. Jelly beans have been around since the mid-19th century, when they were sent to soldiers during the American Civil War.

On April 23rd, we celebrate Talk Like Shakespeare Day. Unlike the odd haiku, this day is dedicated to speaking like William Shakespeare. This means using iambic pentameter and expressing exactly how you feel and what you plan to do about it to the air around you.

April 24th is Pigs in a Blanket Day. You can celebrate this day in two primary ways: a) by eating a sausage wrapped in some kind of pastry or croissant, or b) by eating the British version of pigs in blankets, which consist of a small sausage wrapped in bacon. Variations of pigs in a blanket can be found throughout Eastern Europe, where they are referred to as “sausage in dough” in Russia and “sausage in a dressing gown” in Germany.

Finally, on April 25th, we observe DNA Day, in honor of James Watson, Francis Crick, Rosalind Franklin, and Maurice Wilkins, who published their first papers on the discovery of DNA and its double helix structure on this day in 1953.

DNA, also known as the “building blocks of life”, is present in all known living organisms and some viruses. However, controversy surrounded its discovery as Rosalind Franklin, the only woman involved, was not recognized for her contributions until after her death. Her male colleagues were awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1962 for discovering DNA.

April 26th is Pretzel Day, a celebration of the knotted bread that can be traced back to 610 AD. Though the origin of the pretzel is debated, it is believed to have held religious significance in Catholicism over a thousand years ago. Some stories suggest that it was invented to reward children for learning prayers or by desperate bakers held hostage by “dignitaries”.

Tell A Story Day falls on April 27th, encouraging people to share their stories and listen to others. Celebrations can include reading to someone younger, visiting a library, or simply talking to grandparents about their past.

April 28th is Blueberry Pie Day, a time to indulge in a slice of the fruit-filled pastry. Blueberry pies have been enjoyed in America since the 16th Century, and are considered the easiest fruit pie to make as the berries require minimal preparation.

On April 29th, Zipper Day recognizes the humble yet essential clasp that keeps our clothing and bags secure. The modern zipper was debuted in 1925 after 64 years of development, and was first used for fastening boots and tobacco pouches before becoming a popular fixture in children’s clothing.

Finally, Bugs Bunny Day is celebrated on April 30th in honor of the iconic animated character. Bugs Bunny is known for his wit and resourcefulness, making him one of the most beloved figures in animation history.

Mel Blanc, known as the “man of a thousand voices,” originally voiced Bugs Bunny along with other iconic characters like Daffy Duck, Tweety Bird, and Porky Pig. Initially, Bugs Bunny was white, but the animators eventually settled on his iconic gray color. During World War II, Bugs Bunny became incredibly popular due to his carefree attitude. However, in 1944, a racist cartoon was produced featuring Bugs Bunny, where he was pitted against the Japanese, along with other animation studios who put their characters against Hitler and Mussolini. This cartoon has since been removed from distribution. For more interesting facts about April, check out our collection.

FAQ

1. What is April known for?

April is known for its beautiful spring weather, blooming flowers, and various holidays and observances.

2. What are some special days in April?

Some special days in April include April Fool’s Day on the 1st, Easter Sunday (which falls on a different day each year), Earth Day on the 22nd, and Arbor Day on the last Friday of the month.

3. What is the significance of Easter?

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is also associated with the spring season and symbols of new life, such as eggs and flowers.

4. How is April Fool’s Day celebrated?

April Fool’s Day is a day for playing pranks and jokes on others. Some popular pranks include fake news stories, phony phone calls, and hidden surprises. It’s all in good fun, as long as no one gets hurt or upset.

5. What is Earth Day?

Earth Day is a day for raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainability. Activities may include planting trees, cleaning up litter, and participating in educational events.

6. What is Arbor Day?

Arbor Day is a day for celebrating trees and encouraging their planting and care. It was established in the United States in 1872 and is now observed in many countries around the world.

7. What other holidays are celebrated in April?

Other holidays that may be celebrated in April include Passover (a Jewish holiday), Hanuman Jayanti (a Hindu holiday), and National Poetry Month (a month-long celebration of poetry in the United States).

8. What is the weather usually like in April?

The weather in April varies depending on where you are, but in many parts of the world it is a time of mild temperatures, occasional rain showers, and blooming flowers.

9. What are some fun activities to do in April?

Some fun activities to do in April include hiking, gardening, attending outdoor festivals, and participating in Earth Day events. It’s also a great time to simply enjoy the beauty of spring and spend time with loved ones.