Good Question: How Does Someone Or Something Become A Day?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Adele performed before thousands of fans at a sold-out concert Tuesday night at the Xcel Energy Center.
It was the first of two shows that kicked off the North American leg of her tour.
To mark this event, Gov. Dayton declared July 5, 2016 "Adele Day" in Minnesota, saying she has "inspired Minnesotans and music fans around the world."
Over the past three months, the governor has proclaimed more than forty days, including "Little Free Library Day," "Alzheimer's Awareness Day" and "Minnesota Foodshare Day."
So, what does it take for someone or something to get a day?
There are official days that can be proclaimed by cities, states and even the federal government. According to the state of Minnesota, "Proclamations will be issued for events or activities that affect a broad group of people."
Then there are days recognized by National Day Calendar, an organization based in Mandan, North Dakota. It was started three and half years ago by Monte Anderson as a hobby, and exploded into a business through social media.
"As more and more media followed us and more and more national days were talked out, it became a thing. There's no other explanation for that," Anderson said.
The group recognizes 1,200 already-established days, like "Donut Day," which was started by the Salvation Army in the 1930s.
National Calendar Day researches and compiles these days into a database. It sends out information each day about that particular day through social media, which is picked up by hundreds of news outlets.
There is "National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day," "National Go Barefoot Day" and "National Father-Daughter Take a Walk Day," just to name a few.
National Day Calendar receives 18,000 applications a year, but only accepts 30. In the last three years, they have added only 90 days, including "National Fried Clam Day". A seafood restaurant in Massachusetts applied for that day, claiming it invented the dish 100 years ago.
"There's no doubt about it," Anderson said. "The story is the big deal here."
It costs between $2,300 and $4,500 dollars to get onto the calendar, once a day is approved.
"If you look at the advertising side, it's the most reasonable thing you can," Anderson said. "Last year, we trended on Twitter 300 days alone."
