Embrace the absurd and the ridiculous on November 20, National Absurdity Day. This holiday encourages people to acknowledge that absurdity is part of life.

Absurdity, which refers to the illogical, unreasonable or nonsensical has been widely studied and written about. In fiction and humor, the absurd is usually used to make a nuanced point about human behavior. Lewis Carol’s Alice in Wonderland is considered to be one of the most well-known works of absurdist literature.

Absurdist Movement

While absurdity in its many forms has been a subject of study since the time of the ancient Greeks, the absurdist movement in theater and literature came about right after the Second World War. It is thought that many writers and film makers reacted to the threat of a nuclear war by including absurdist themes in their works.

What To Do

• This holiday is an excuse for you to be as whacky as you want to be, without having to explain yourself, so go nuts! Dress up absurdly, say absurd and nonsensical things and do silly things.
• Send absurd emails and messages to family and friends.
• Read absurdist plays and literature. Some examples of absurdist authors include Václav Havel, Harold Pinter and Samuel Beckett.

Push Button Phone Day

November 18 is Push Button Phone Day. The unofficial holiday commemorates the anniversary of the introduction of the push button phone by Bell Systems in the United States.

First introduced to customers in some areas of Pennsylvania on November 18, 1963, push button phones were the fancy alternatives to rotary dial phones.

Push button phones are phones that use buttons to dial numbers and connect to another telephone user.

Today, the introduction of cell phones and touch screens have made push button phones obsolete.

Push Button Phone Day

November 18 is Push Button Phone Day. The unofficial holiday commemorates the anniversary of the introduction of the push button phone by Bell Systems in the United States.

First introduced to customers in some areas of Pennsylvania on November 18, 1963, push button phones were the fancy alternatives to rotary dial phones.

Push button phones are phones that use buttons to dial numbers and connect to another telephone user.

Today, the introduction of cell phones and touch screens have made push button phones obsolete.

Take A Hike Day

On November 17, wear your most comfortable hiking shoes and take a hike because it is Take A Hike Day.

A hike is a long walk in the countryside, away from populated urban areas. Hiking can be done for pleasure or for exercise and is usually done on unpaved paths known as trails. The length and duration of a hike can vary from a few hours to multiple days.

Healthy and Social

In many parts of the world, hiking is a social pastime, where people get together to walk through forests, parks, riversides and mountains in order to commune with nature and to bond with their fellow hikers. Many cities and countries have professional hiking associations that organize hiking trips around the year.

Research has shown that hiking can have many health and social benefits. Considered to be a good way to exercise, hiking can have all the benefits associated with walking in nature – it can reduce stress, increase heart activity and reduce blood pressure.