National High-Five Day
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Overview
National High-Five Day, observed annually on April 18th, is a lighthearted holiday dedicated to celebrating the simple, powerful gesture of the high-five. It encourages people to spread positivity, offer congratulations, show support, and build camaraderie by physically connecting with friends, colleagues, and even strangers through this iconic hand slap, fostering a sense of shared success and good will.
Origin and story
The earliest widely recognized high-five is often attributed to Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke of the Los Angeles Dodgers during a baseball game on October 2, 1977.
The holiday itself originated in 2002 at the University of Virginia, where a group of students decided to dedicate a day to the high-five.
Quick facts
- DateApril 18
- TypeKindness / Community
- Great forCommunity groups, Friends, Coworkers
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
The high five has an exact birthdate and two named inventors — a rarity for a gesture that now feels like it's always existed.
Relive the exact moment it happened
On October 2, 1977, Dodgers outfielder Glenn Burke raised his hand over his head as teammate Dusty Baker jogged home after hitting his 30th home run of the season; not knowing what else to do with the raised hand, Baker slapped it, and the high five was born on the spot.
Know where the idea came from
Burke likely developed the gesture with minor-league teammates out of a "hand jive" greeting from his youth in the East Bay — meaning the high five wasn't planned as history, just an improvised reaction that happened to catch on everywhere.
Read the fuller story
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
That 1977 game also made the Dodgers the first team in MLB history to have four players each hit at least 30 home runs in a single season — the high-five moment nearly got lost in a bigger record.
Fun facts
- The earliest widely recognized high-five is often attributed to Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke of the Los Angeles Dodgers during a baseball game on October 2, 1977.
- The holiday itself originated in 2002 at the University of Virginia, where a group of students decided to dedicate a day to the high-five.
- The high-five is a universal gesture, understood across many cultures as a sign of greeting, celebration, agreement, or success, transcending language barriers.
Sources and attribution
Dusty Baker Hits 30th Homer, Receives First-Ever High-Five (Society for American Baseball Research)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is National High-Five Day?
- It is observed on April 18 each year.
- What is National High-Five Day?
- National High-Five Day, observed annually on April 18th, is a lighthearted holiday dedicated to celebrating the simple, powerful gesture of the high-five. It encourages people to spread positivity, offer congratulations, show support, and build camaraderie by physically connecting with friends, colleagues, and even strangers through this iconic hand slap, fostering a sense of shared success and good will.
- How do people celebrate National High-Five Day?
- Give someone a high five and consider its exact origin: Dodgers outfielder Glenn Burke improvised it on October 2, 1977, greeting Dusty Baker's home run with a raised hand that Baker instinctively slapped.
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