Big Wind Day
About Big Wind Day
When is Big Wind Day? This holiday is always celebrated on April 12
Today is Big Wind Day, an April 12 holiday. It’s the kind of day that can blow you away. We all get those occasional windy days when you need to put rocks in your pockets before going outside, so you don’t blow away. Even without a hurricane or a tornado, it can get pretty windy anywhere on the planet. Windstorms display the awesome power of nature. They can be deadly, dangerous, and damaging. As a matter of fact, wind power can leave you without power.
On the other side of the coin, the wind can be our friend. It helps to cool us on a hot day. Sailors have used its power for thousands of years. Christopher Columbus would never have landed in America, without wind in his sails. Windmills increasingly dot the landscape all over the world. Electric turbines on them provide increasing amounts of clean electricity, to an energy-hungry world.
For all the good and the bad that wind does for and to us, it’s only fitting, that we show our respect for it, by giving the wind its own, very special day.
This holiday commemorates the highest wind speed ever recorded on the planet. Can you guess where? No, it wasn’t in the middle of a hurricane or a tornado.
On April 12, 1934, the staff of the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire, recorded the highest surface wind ever measured, anywhere on earth. This big blow was officially recorded at 231 miles per hour. Imagine the difficulties of even making a recording under those conditions back then!
Will this record ever be broken? Perhaps, but until then, enjoy Big Wind Day.
How to Celebrate Big Wind Day
Here are a few ideas on how to celebrate this holiday:
- Go fly a kite.
- Go sailing.
- Go hang-gliding.
- Support wind-powered electricity.
Not the “Big Wind” you expected– – When talking to the family about documenting Big Wind Day, family members teased “quick everyone, get out of the room!”
Today's Quote
“The trouble with law is lawyers.” – – Clarence Darrow
History and Origin of Big Wind Day
While we discovered why this day was created, we don’t know who created it, or when. Perhaps, the records of its creation are “Gone with the Wind”.
In our first study, this holiday was called Big Wind Day. In our second study, some internet websites were calling it National Big Wind Day. This seems strange, as it did not come from the unknown creator of the holiday. Also, we did not find any congressional records or presidential proclamations for this day.
Definition of “National” Days – Discover why it is important to distinguish true National days.
This Day in History
Here are some other things that happened on April 12:
- The Civil War begins when Confederate troops opened fire on the Union garrison at Fort Sumter, SC. 40,000 shells were fired before the Union troops surrendered. No one was killed. (1862)
- Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space. (1961)
- TV personality and comedian David Letterman was born on this day in 1947.
Related Holidays
Wind power results in several windy days on the annual calendar. Without a doubt, people who like Big Wind Day will also like:
More April 12 Holidays
Besides today’s holiday, here are more April 12 holidays we are sure you will enjoy:
International Day of Human Space Flight / Russian Cosmonaut Day
More About Today
This Day in History – Indeed, many other important events occurred on this date in April. See what happened on this date in history.
Famous April Birthdays – Did you ever wonder what famous people share your birth date? If so, then find out now!
Ecards – Send a free Ecard daily for Big Wind Day or just about any calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Undoubtedly, it’s fun for both the sender and the recipient.
Flower of the Day: Broom Corn
Recipe of the Day: Asparagus with Chive Sauce
Holiday Insights, where every day in April is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? Further, in addition to Big Wind Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. What’s more, many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. April holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.