National Opposite Day is a whimsical celebration where people intentionally say and do the opposite of what they mean. It’s a playful tradition that began as a children’s playground game and has evolved into a widely celebrated unofficial holiday.
Quick Facts
When is it: January 25th annually
Tagged as: Fun Holiday, Children’s Day
What’s the hashtag: #NationalOppositeDay
When was it founded: Origins trace back to the 1920s
Who founded it: Unknown, emerged from children’s playground games
History
The exact origins remain mysterious, but the earliest documented reference dates to the 1920s during President Calvin Coolidge’s era. The concept gained significant attention when Coolidge made his famously ambiguous statement “I do not choose to run” regarding the 1928 election. In 1959, President Eisenhower unofficially declared August 17 as Opposite Day at his granddaughter’s request, though the January 25 date eventually became the widely accepted celebration.
Timeline
- 1920s: First documented references appear
- 1928: Calvin Coolidge’s famous opposite statement
- 1959: President Eisenhower declares August 17 as Opposite Day
- 1984: “Opposites Attract” book release by Nora Roberts
- 1999: SpongeBob SquarePants features an Opposite Day episode
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January | 25 | Saturday |
| 2026 | January | 25 | Sunday |
| 2027 | January | 25 | Monday |
| 2028 | January | 25 | Tuesday |
Observed
The day is celebrated by doing things in reverse – having dinner for breakfast, saying goodbye when meeting someone, or wearing clothes inside out. Many schools use this day for educational activities involving opposites and wordplay.
Fun Facts About Opposite Day
- It creates a philosophical paradox: if you say it’s Opposite Day, then it isn’t
- Some people celebrate it on the 25th of every month
- It’s considered a cousin to April Fool’s Day
- A movie titled “Opposite Day” was made featuring kids and adults switching roles
Quiz
- What date is officially recognized as Opposite Day?
- Which U.S. President inadvertently contributed to Opposite Day’s fame?
- What’s the paradox of Opposite Day?
Answers: 1) January 25 2) Calvin Coolidge 3) If you say it’s Opposite Day, then it isn’t Opposite Day
FAQs
- Can Opposite Day actually exist? (Philosophically, no, due to the paradox)
- Is it an official holiday? (No, it’s an unofficial observance)
- How long should you celebrate? (Typically the full 24 hours of January 25)
Related
- April Fool’s Day
- Nothing Day
- Backwards Day
- Topsy Turvy Day
- National Silly Day