13TH MAY: National Frog Jumping Day!

NATIONAL FROG JUMPING DAY

Observed in US each year on May 13th, National Frog Jumping Day is a favorite of young and old alike.

In 1865, Mark Twain published his first short story, Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog. Later, he changed the name and published it as The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. This same story also had a third title, The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.

The current frog jumping record was set in 1986 by Rosie the Ribeter, who jumped 21 feet, 5-3/4 inches.

While fans of Mark Twain or perhaps the Calaveras County Fair might have us believe frog jumping competitions only happen in Calaveras County, that’s just not true. They happen throughout the country and with more frequency than one might expect. Frog jumping contests happened in other states and municipalities in 1865 and the events take place across borders in the last century and this one, too. You might even know of one where you live, say in Michigan or Florida or Idaho.

However, we might have to concede, the most well-known might be the Calaveras County Frog Jumping Contest if for no other reason than Mark Twain wrote a story about it, and the author became well-known and loved for his stories.

THEY

promote famous frog jumping competition. Who’s one’s exceptional jumper or notorious ribbeter?

NATIONAL FROG JUMPING DAY HISTORY

Mark Twain’s story about a pet frog named Dan’l Webster and a casual competition between two men betting on whose frog jumps higher, is the origin of National Frog Jumping Day.  The annual Frog Jumping Contest, which began in 1849 in Calaveras County, California is also the origin of this holiday. The international counterpart of this celebration is February 19.
For others in the world it looks funny! Yes funny day.