You’d be hard pressed not recognise Super Mario, given he’s probably the most famous video game character EVER alongside Pac-Man (don’t you dare tell us you don’t know who Pac-Man is).
It’s fair to say he’s an icon and a bit of a trailblazer, so like many other figures who we look up, the world has seen fit to give the portly pixelated plumber his own day of appreciation.
Yes, that’s right – 10 March is officially Super Mario Day.
But where the hell does it come from, and just why do we (OK, some of us) celebrate it?
Well… apparently, the story goes that with Mario being such a good egg and having managed to give most of us some semblance of joy, be it in childhood or adulthood, it was felt he deserved some sort of recognition.
What’s more if you abbreviate March and stick on today’s date you get, ‘Mar 10’ or ‘Mario’. So, it was decided that this day would forever (quite possibly, he’s still showing no sign of slowing down) be Super Mario Day.
In fact, today Google has marked the big day by programming its map App to show Mario driving around in his kart as you follow your route – pretty neat, eh?
Let’s just hope he doesn’t have a red or green shell waiting for you…
But he’s far from the first imaginary character/multi-million pound money-making machine to get this sort of treatment…
Donald Duck
When? 9 June
Why? Because what’s not to love about a rage-filled duck who not-so-secretly hates his famous friend the mouse?
The Mad Hatter
When? 6 October
Why? Because there’s a nutter in all of us who just wants to wear a hat, hold a tea party and generally act like a fruit loop.
There’s some specific history behind this one. Back in 1986 some PC (computers that is) people in Boulder, Colorado celebrated a general day of silliness, inspired by John Tenniel’s Alice In Wonderland drawings. Soon it gained traction, slowly becoming more popular as people realised the value of being able to be silly for day. Two years later in 1988 it was first recognised as an official holiday and the rest is history.
Sesame Street Day
When? 10 November
Why? First celebrated back in 2009 to mark the 40th year of the children’s show, Sesame Street Day is a time to remember those carefree years you spent watching Big Bird and Elmo. And, perhaps, even indulge in a little nostalgia.
Star Wars Day
When? 4 May
Why? Jedi is a recognized religion, but if that’s not enough for you… it sounds exactly like the phrase form the movie, ‘may the force be with you’. That and the fact Star Wars is a global phenomenon which keeps on growing, and has an ever-expanding universe that you can get lost in.
Star Trek Day
When? 8 September
Why? While the famous event of First Contact from the franchise has its own day on April, there’s a day to celebrate the universal appeal of all things Federation. Because what’s better than celebrating our common heritage and having a day to bring unity to a divided world just as the United Federation of Planets did for Earth and many of our Alien friends?
Pokemon Day
When? 27 February
Why? To celebrate the very first day that the cultural catch ’em all juggernaut was born – that being the original release day of the Pocket Monster Gameboy cartridges in Japan back in 1996.
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