National Talk Like a Pirate Day is a whimsical holiday where people worldwide are encouraged to speak like pirates, using stereotypical pirate expressions and accents. This parody celebration has grown from a small joke between friends to an internationally recognized fun day.
Quick Facts
When is it: September 19th annually
Tagged as: Parody Holiday
What’s the hashtag: #TalkLikeAPirateDay
When was it founded: 1995
Who founded it: John Baur (Ol’ Chumbucket) and Mark Summers (Cap’n Slappy)
History of Talk Like a Pirate Day
The holiday originated during a racquetball game in Oregon when John Baur and Mark Summers started speaking in pirate slang after one of them exclaimed “Arrr!” in pain. They initially chose June 6th but later moved it to September 19th (Summers’ ex-wife’s birthday) out of respect for D-Day. The holiday gained widespread popularity in 2002 when humor columnist Dave Barry wrote about it in his syndicated column.
Timeline
- 1995: Created during a racquetball game in Oregon
- 2002: Dave Barry’s column brings national attention
- 2008: Facebook introduces pirate language option
- Present: Celebrated globally with events and social media engagement
Dates 2025-2030
| Year | Month and Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 19 | Friday |
| 2026 | September 19 | Saturday |
| 2027 | September 19 | Sunday |
| 2028 | September 19 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | September 19 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | September 19 | Thursday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by speaking in pirate dialect, hosting themed parties, dressing in pirate costumes, and organizing charity events. Many businesses and organizations participate with special promotions and social media campaigns.
Fun Facts About Talk Like a Pirate Day
- Barack Obama once celebrated with a costumed pirate in the Oval Office
- Astronauts have celebrated it on the International Space Station
- Facebook has a special pirate language setting for the occasion
- The holiday has been used to raise funds for various maritime charities
Quiz
- What year was Talk Like a Pirate Day created?
- Who wrote the column that made the holiday famous?
- What date is the holiday celebrated?
- What are the founders’ pirate names?
(Answers: 1995, Dave Barry, September 19, Ol’ Chumbucket and Cap’n Slappy)
FAQs
- Why September 19th? It was chosen because it was Mark Summers’ ex-wife’s birthday
- Is it a real holiday? It’s a parody holiday celebrated worldwide
- Do real pirates talk like that? No, the dialect is mostly based on fictional representations
Related
- International Maritime Day
- Halloween
- Renaissance Fairs
- Costume Parties
- Maritime History Month