Ever heard of Ghost in the Machine Day? That’s right, it’s a real holiday. It refers to philosopher Gilbert Ryle’s complaint surrounding Cartesian dualism: Is human consciousness really a “ghost in the machine,” fundamentally separate from our matter? Whatever your answer, on June 12 of every year, there’s an official celebration to commemorate the question.
If this sounds geeky to you, you should know that there are thousands of holidays just like this one. From Copyright Law Day (Jan. 1) to Leap-Second Time Adjustment Day (Dec. 31), you could leapfrog all year long between festivals. And speaking of leapfrogging, National Frog Jumping Day was May 31.
“This is ridiculous!” you will tell me. “Why are you interested in this kind of thing?” Well, it’s because I googled my friend’s birthday once. It was Ghost in the Machine Day, in fact. We held a few minutes of philosophical debate, then moved on with our lives. But that little spark of whimsy had a surprising effect.
Ever since, each new day’s respective holiday brings a smile to my face. Sure, I don’t get candy and presents or a day off from school, but I get a cool factoid or two and something fun to think about beyond the daily drudgery. It’s a magical feeling!
For example, just think of Run It up the Flagpole and See If Anyone Salutes It Day. It derives its name from the eponymous slogan in the advertising world, which refers to seizing chances and testing new ideas. Test a new computer program? Publish a zine? Learn an instrument? Go right ahead! You never know, what if you love it?
How about National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day (different, of course, from National Oatmeal Cookie Day)? I had never heard of lacy oatmeal cookies before the date of their commemoration popped up on my calendar. Now I know, you can describe them in one word: addictive. “Lacy” refers to the texture of the batter, a golden-brown disk of crispy dough, chewy in the center and crispy at the edges… you get my point. Absolutely mind-bogglingly delicious.
You can find niche holidays for specific interests as well. Star Trek Day is Sept. 8, while Hobbit Day is Sept. 22, and as I hope you would know, Star Wars Day is May 4. For my fellow all-consuming nerds, this is an opportunity to unite with others in our communities and show our love for our fandoms. The corporations, in a lot of cases, have hopped on the bandwagon too – Disney+ now regularly schedules new Star Wars shows for May 4.
The good times aren’t limited to a 24-hour span: what about American Camping Week? Or Lasagna Awareness Month? I’m not entirely sure what it means to “become more aware” of lasagna, but it’s always fun to try out new pasta recipes. From National Pet Month (April) to Walk to School Week (May 20 to 26), the fun never ends!
Despite all this, maybe this sounds like a waste of time to you. Maybe your life is so busy and stressful, you don’t have time to care about World Turtle Day. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. The turtles and I will live our lives in peace away from your party-pooper vibes, and we’ll just celebrate together! So there!
In all seriousness, though, why should you care? You don’t have to, and that’s the point. These events are absurd, nonsensical even, an overblown cavalcade of honors for strange or merely mundane aspects of your existence. Yet in the long run, they’re not supposed to change your life. What they can do is brighten it a little.
