Ferris Wheel Day
When is Ferris Wheel Day? This holiday is always celebrated on February 14
Today is Ferris Wheel Day, a February 14 holiday. What’s the first thing you see as you near an amusement park or a carnival? Why, it’s a tall Ferris wheel, of course. Can you imagine a carnival or festival without one? Neither can I. We have George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. a civil engineer, to thank. In 1893, he made the first Ferris Wheel for the World’s Colombian Exhibition in Chicago. This iconic amusement park ride is one of the most popular rides of all.
The purpose of this day is obvious… to celebrate the birthday of this great inventor and to enjoy his invention. The trouble is, there aren’t many carnivals, amusement parks, or fairgrounds operating in mid-February in North America. You may have to settle with enjoying old photos of trips to a fair or amusement park. If you are in the southern hemisphere where it is currently mid-summer, you’re in luck as amusement parks are open. And, there are plenty of fairs and carnivals going on. Find one of these venues with a Ferris wheel and go for a ride.
How to Celebrate Ferris Wheel Day
- Look for a fair or a carnival in your area that features a Ferris wheel and go for a ride.
- Make plans to go to a future carnival or fair.
- Watch the movie The Greatest Show on Earth.
Thought for Today
Some people are like Slinkies. They are not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
History and Origin of
Ferris Wheel Day commemorates the birthday of George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., the creator of the first Ferris Wheel.
Austria, a country in love with its Ferris Wheels, also claims to have created this day. They claim that this date was chosen because in Austria this is historically the most weather-friendly day of the year.
This Day in History
In addition to Ferris Wheel Day, here are some things that happened on this day:
- J. Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly demonstrates the first computer, called the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) computer at the University of Pennsylvania. (1946)
- Sugar Ray Robinson becomes the world middleweight champion by defeating Jake LaMotta. (1951)
- Jack Benny, actor, and comedian on Vaudeville, radio, and TV was born on this day in 1894.
Related Holidays
More February 14 Holidays
In addition to Ferris Wheel Day, here are more February 14 holidays and events to celebrate and enjoy:
More About Today
What happened on this Day? This Day in History
Flower of the Day: Coreopsis
Recipe of the Day: Sweet Macaroni Salad
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Holiday Insights, where every day in February 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? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. February 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.