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🌋 JRR TOLKIEN Day ORIGIN & HISTORY
JRR TOLKIEN Day is celebrated on the 3rd Day in January. It’s a day dedicated to honoring the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien, the renowned author of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. It’s a perfect occasion for fans to delve into Middle-earth. Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892.
Tracing the Roots of JRR TOLKIEN Day
The celebration’s roots go back to 2002, with Sean Kirst, a columnist for the Syracuse Post-Standard. He reached out to the Tolkien Society, expressing his passion for Tolkien’s works and how they filled a void in his life. He suggested a dedicated day to celebrate the author’s impact. The Tolkien Society embraced the idea, acknowledging the growing Tolkien fandom and seeking ways to promote his works, especially among younger generations.
Initially, March 25th was chosen, symbolizing the downfall of Sauron in The Lord of the Rings, considered a significant and triumphant moment in Tolkien’s mythology. However, in 2013, the date officially shifted to Tolkien’s birthday, January 3rd, allowing fans to celebrate the man himself rather than focusing solely on a fictional event.
There are other related days including TOLKIEN READING Day which focuses on reading his works, encouraging fans to dive into Tolkien’s books, both famous and lesser-known. The Tolkien Society organizes TOLKIEN READING Day events, where fans and scholars gather to read passages aloud and discuss their love for his work which is celebrated on March 25th instead.
And if you’re a fan of Tolkien’s epic High Fantasy subgenre, you might wanna check out National SCIENCE FICTION Day which is celebrated the day before on January 2nd each year.
