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Aug16 Fun Holiday – Tell a Joke Day

On August 16, make everyone around you giggle, guffaw, chortle, cackle or in other words, laugh, by telling them a joke because it is Tell A Joke Day.

Laughter is the best medicine on Tell a Joke Day.

©iStockphoto.com/Zhenikeyev

While the origins of this hilarious day are unknown, we can all safely assume that the creator of this unofficial holiday was aiming to make the world a happier place by encouraging people to tell and listen to jokes.

Different Jokes

A joke can be of different types. They can be verbal, as in the case of a one-liner, a whole story or in the form a question and answer, where the answer provides the humor. Jokes can also be physical such as in the case of a prank or a practical joke, where the act rather than the words provide the humor. Either way, the main purpose of a joke is to entertain by providing humor, even though jokes can sometimes be used to make serious commentary like in the case of satire.

Jokes have been an integral part of human history and many great minds have spent time and energy in trying to understand what makes jokes funny.

The day is known in the US as National Tell A Joke Day, and not to be confused with International Joke Day on July, 1.

How to Celebrate?

  • Every time you meet someone on this day, tell them a joke. Just make sure the jokes are appropriate to the setting.
  • Pick up a joke book and spend your lunch hour reading it.
  • Watch your favorite comedians do their thing either on TV or on stage and partake in a few hours of humorous entertainment.
  • Fancy yourself as a comedian?Why not take comedy and Improv classes to hone in your skills?
  • Play a harmless prank on your co-worker or friend.

Did You Know…

…that the study of laughter and humor and their therapeutic effects on the human body is known as Gelotology?

Tell a Joke Day Observances

Fun Holiday: Tell a Joke Day Observances
YearWeekdayDateName
2024FriAug 16Tell a Joke Day
2025SatAug 16Tell a Joke Day
2026SunAug 16Tell a Joke Day
2027MonAug 16Tell a Joke Day
2028WedAug 16Tell a Joke Day
2029ThuAug 16Tell a Joke Day
2030FriAug 16Tell a Joke Day
2031SatAug 16Tell a Joke Day
2032MonAug 16Tell a Joke Day
2033TueAug 16Tell a Joke Day

See all Fun Holidays

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