Public Sleeping Day & Other Unusual Holidays

You could use one of the following unusual, little-known holidays to add a touch of something different to your story. If you write mysteries, a crime could be centered around one of these lesser known holidays. Of if you write historical fiction, the origins of one of these unusual holidays could be the focus of your story.

Are you going to try and catch a tooth fairy on National Tooth Fairy Day? Do you remove your brain on No Brainer Day? And do you celebrate Public Sleeping Day every day of the year?

For Pete's Sake Day – One has to wonder who Pete is and why do we do things for his sake? The expression, 'for Pete's sake', is what is known as 'a minced oath'. Surprise, anger, or disgust is usually implied when this minced oath is used. This saying was, of course, started in the church. If you said a curse word, you risked being hauled in front of the bishop or other church authority. This idiom actually started out as 'for Saint Peter's sake'.

On this day, why not write a story about the possible first time this phrase was used? Did someone pound his finger with a hammer? Did someone drop a huge piece of lumber on his toe?

Levi Strauss Day - On February 26, 1847, the Strauss family of Buttenheim, Germany were given permission to emigrate to America. Why is this so important? Levi Strauss was one of this family and he is the one who gave us blue jeans.

Maybe you could have a go at writing an historical fiction story about Levi Strauss and how he came up with is idea for blue jeans.

Polar Bear Day - I think polar bears are beautiful, magnificent creatures. Want to know some interesting facts about this bear?
>Even though they appear to be white, they aren't really. Their hair is transparent and reflects visible light.
>An adult male can 10 feet tall (when standing) and weigh up to 1400 pounds.
>Female polar bears begin having cubs at 4 or 5 years of age.
>Newborn polar bears weigh little more than a pound.
>These cubs go to school while their mother is hunting. They must freeze and remain still. If they mess up and move, their mama gives them a whack on the head.

There are many, many more fascinating facts about these beautiful animals. On this day that celebrates them, go to the zoo and see some for yourself. Try to find out some more interesting facts about them, then write a short story about a family of polar bears.

No Brainer Day - What is a 'no brainer'? It is something that is super easy and so obvious that anyone should be able to understand it. If your plans for this day require serious thinking or a lot of thought, this isn't the day for them. Today you need to just do simple, relaxing things.

Who created this day? Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith is the one who blessed us with this day. Why not write a story about how and why you believe she created it?

Public Sleeping Day - Have you ever fallen asleep on a park bench? Have you dozed off while laying out in the sun? Perhaps you've dozed off while at work or at school. This is how you celebrate Public Sleeping Day – you sleep in public.

How was this day created? I don't know, but I think that probably somebody feel asleep at work and was caught by the boss. This person then came up with the excuse that he or she was just celebrating Public Sleeping Day. Why not write a story about it?

National Tooth Fairy Day - Over the years, different cultures have looked upon the loss of children's teeth in some really strange ways. Some thought that witches and evil spirits would use these lost teeth for voodoo, so these teeth were buried to hide them. The Vikings would pay children for their lost baby teeth. Why? They believed that these teeth had magical powers and would help them during battle. The baby teeth they obtained would be strung onto jewelry worn in battle.

Before the invention of the Tooth Fairy, there was a Tooth Mouse. This mouse would run around in the middle of the night and gather up all the lost teeth. This little mouse soon morphed into the Tooth Fairy who would leave presents underneath each pillow in place of the lost tooth.

You should already have lots of ideas for stories just from the information about superstitions surrounding lost baby teeth given above. Choose one of the facts above, investigate it some more, and write a story about it.

Leap Day - Leap Day happens only once every four years, well, almost every four years. If the fourth year ends in '00' and is not divisible by 400, then it is does not qualify to be a leap day. Why do we have a leap day jusb about every four years? It is to keep our calendar as consistent as possible with the earth's annual trip around the sun.

Imagine that Leap Day was created because of a myth, legend, or superstition. Now write a story about it.