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Jun16 Fun Holiday – Bloomsday

Celebrated annually on June 16, Bloomsday celebrates the life and times of Irish author James Joyce.

James Joyce's statue in Trieste, Italy.

©bigstockphoto.com/bepsimage

The name and the date of this unofficial holiday come from Joyce's epic novel, Ulysses. Published in 1922 as a novel, the book follows Leopold Bloom, an advertising agent as he goes about his day in Dublin on June 16, 1904. According to some sources, June 16, 1904 is the date when Joyce met his future wife Nora Barnacle.

Controversial Book

Considered to be one of the most defining works of modernist literature, Ulysses courted controversy when it was first came out in serial form in the American literary magazine, The Little Review. It was banned in the United States and the United Kingdom until the mid-1930s.

Thought to have been first observed in 1924, fans of the novel re-enact the events that occur in the book as a way to celebrate this literary holiday.

How to Celebrate?

  • Participate in your local Bloomsday events.
  • If there aren’t any such events, what about organizing one of your own?
  • If you haven’t read the book, or it has been a while since you last read the book, maybe it is time to get a copy and read it.

Did You Know…

…that James Joyce suffered from cynophobia or the irrational fear of dogs?

Bloomsday Observances

Fun Holiday: Bloomsday Observances
YearWeekdayDateName
2024SunJun 16Bloomsday
2025MonJun 16Bloomsday
2026TueJun 16Bloomsday
2027WedJun 16Bloomsday
2028FriJun 16Bloomsday
2029SatJun 16Bloomsday
2030SunJun 16Bloomsday
2031MonJun 16Bloomsday
2032WedJun 16Bloomsday
2033ThuJun 16Bloomsday

See all Fun Holidays

Other Fun Holidays around June 16

15 Jun

World Juggling Day

Celebrated annually on the Saturday closest to June 17, the day honors the art and science of juggling.

15 Jun

Nature Photography Day

Help conserve and preserve the environment by taking beautiful pictures of nature on this unofficial holiday.