International Scribble Day
When is International Scribble Day? This holiday is always celebrated on March 27
Can you read your own handwriting? A lot of us struggle. So, it is not surprising that your family and friends cannot read the hen-scratching that you call writing. If you are looking for something fun to do, this March 27 holiday is perfect for you. Today is International Scribble Day. Grab a pen and a sketchpad. Then, scratch, scrawl, and doodle the day away. On this special day, we make fun of our own handwriting. We turn our scratchings into a form of art worthy of putting on our refrigerators. And, according to the author of this special day, we encourage budding young artists, regardless of the art form they choose to pursue.
Express yourself. Put your creativity on display. Scribbling and doodling is an art form. There’s no better kind of refrigerator art, especially when it comes from your child. Seeing it puts a smile on your face. Scribbling and doodling aids in the development of eye and hand coordination. There are all sorts of useful applications. You can use it to make idle time pass more quickly. This casual, mindless activity can help you to sort through problems or to come up with ideas and solutions to problems.
No one is too young or too old to scribble. So, what are you waiting for!? Get out some paper, pencils, pens, and crayons. Then, see what you can create.
Scribbling is Hard to Read
Scribbling is usually barely legible. It looks like ancient hieroglyphics. Often, the only person who can read it is the author of the document. Here are some examples of scribbling at its finest (or its worst):
- Doctors have some of the worst handwriting of any profession. This is evident by the prescriptions they write. Fortunately, most prescriptions are now sent electronically.
- Can anyone read a letter written by a lefthanded person? My wife can’t read my writing. And, I’m sure this is true with every Leftie.
- Have you ever looked at an original copy of the U.S. Constitution or the Bill of Rights? It is almost impossible to read.
- Take a look at your child’s class notes. Teachers talk too fast. Students resort to scrawling their notes in order to keep up.
Scribbling Versus Doodling
Doodling and scribbling are not the same thing.
Scribbling is a form of penmanship (or lack or). It is what people do when they are in a hurry. They write quickly in an all but illegible writing. It comes out looking like chicken or hen scratching.
Doodling is a form of drawing. It is what we do when we are bored or waiting for something. While waiting on an interminable phone call hold, we make pictorial drawings to idle away the time. Sometimes, we are not consciously aware that we are drawing pictures.
Now that you know the technical distinction between scribbling and doodling, it’s okay if you’re still confused about the two terms. And, it’s okay to refer to both as scribbling. No one will call you on it. Diane Alber, the creator of this holiday and author of the book “I’m NOT just a Scribble” just may have a little doodling on the cover of her book.
How to Celebrate International Scribble Day
Here’s how to celebrate International Scribble Day:
- Use it as a stress reliever.
- School art teachers should have a class promoting scribbling and doodling as an uncommon form of art.
- Scribble any and all notes and correspondence today. Add a few doodles, too.
- Have a pen and plenty of paper handy when you place a phone call today. Doodle away as you are put on an endless “Hold”.
- Hold a scribbling contest with your friends. Fill a page with scribbles and doodles. Then, judge the artwork. Give a prize to the winner.
- Run counter to the theme of this holiday. Practice and improve your penmanship.
- Post some of your scribbling and doodling on social media.
- Use it as refrigerator art. Put your child’s scribbles or doodles on your refrigerator.
- Buy a sketch pad and strive to fill it.
- Read the book I’m NOT just a Scribble.
Did You Know? In Japan, students celebrate this holiday by creating huge posters with doodling on them. The posters are displayed in the hallways. In France, art communities celebrate this day by holding “Scribble Jams”. The resulting artistic creations are put on display.
International Scribble Day Quote
“Words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within.” – – Alfred Lord Tennyson
“Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.” – – Jim Carrey
History and Origin of International Scribble Day
In 2017, Diane Alber published her book titled “I’m NOT just a Scribble”. Then in 2019, she created International Scribble Day. This holiday clearly celebrates hen scratchings. Let’s face it, we all scribble from time to time. Alber recognizes that art comes in all kinds of forms. Scribbling is just one of them. Also, Alber uses this holiday to support and encourage new and struggling young artists. Special emphasis is placed on encouraging young school children to express themselves and consider becoming an artist.
This holiday was originally called National Scribble Day. The word “National” in the title was changed to “International” as this holiday is celebrated around the world.
This Day in History
Here are a couple of things that happened on International Scribble Day:
- Fingerprints are used as evidence in a murder trial for the first time. (1909)
- The biggest earthquake ever recorded strikes Anchorage, Alaska. It measured 8.3 on the Richter scale. (1964)
- Actress and singer Mariah Carey was born on this day in 1970.
More March 27 Holidays
In addition to International Scribble Day, here is another March 27 holiday you will enjoy:
Additional Information About Today
Flower of the Day: Freesia
Recipe of the Day: Mexican Goulash
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