Hobbit Day
Hobbit Day is the birthday of the hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, two fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's popular set of books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In the books both Bilbo and Frodo were said to be born on September 22, but of different years. Bilbo was born in the year of 2890 and Frodo in the year of 2968 in the Third Age (1290 and 1368 respectively in Shire-Reckoning.)
Tolkien Week is the week containing Hobbit Day.
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[edit] Observance
The American Tolkien Society first proclaimed Hobbit Day and Tolkien Week in 1978, and defines them as this: "Tolkien Week is observed as the calendar week containing September 22, which is always observed as Hobbit Day", but acknowledges that Hobbit Day pre-dates their designation.[1]
Due to the discrepancies between the Shire Calendar and the Gregorian Calendar there is some debate for when to celebrate Hobbit Day, with some celebrating it on September 14. [2] [3]
[edit] Celebration
The Fellowship of the Ring opened with a celebration of Bilbo's birthday. It was a large party with food, fireworks, dancing and much merriment.
Some Tolkien fans celebrate with having parties[4][5] and feasts[6] emulating the hobbit's parties. Other fans celebrate by simply going barefooted in honour of the hobbits, who seldom wear shoes.
Some schools and libraries use this as an opportunity to pique interest in Tolkien's work by putting up displays and hosting events.[7]
[edit] Related Observance
Another related day celebrated by fans is March 25. This is celebrated as the Fall of Sauron. As of 2003 that day is known as Tolkien reading day, an event to encourage the use of Tolkien's works in education and library reading groups.[8]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.americantolkiensociety.org/hobbit_day_and_tolkien_week.htm
- ^ http://www.elvish.org/gwaith/calendars.htm
- ^ http://www.neatorama.com/2009/06/16/8-academic-holidays/
- ^ http://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Hobbit-Day
- ^ http://www.neatorama.com/2009/06/16/8-academic-holidays/
- ^ http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/pages/hobbitday!opendocument&keytype=number&startkey=9
- ^ http://www.americantolkiensociety.org/hobbit_day_and_tolkien_week.htm
- ^ Tolkien Reading Day from The Tolkien Society
[edit] External links
- The Calendars of Imladris, Gondor and the Shire... Essay about how Tolkien's calendars correspond to the Gregorian calendar.
- September 22nd at the Tolkien Wiki
