National Tell a Joke Day 😂

Overview

National Tell a Joke Day, observed annually on August 16th, is an unofficial holiday dedicated to the sharing of humor and the simple joy of laughter. It encourages people to lighten the mood, engage in playful banter, and spread cheer by telling jokes, whether they be silly puns, classic knock-knocks, or clever one-liners, highlighting the universal appeal and positive impact of comedy.

Origin and story

National Tell a Joke Day is celebrated every year on August 16th.

Laughter has been scientifically shown to reduce stress hormones, boost the immune system, and improve overall mood.

Quick facts

• DateAugust 16
• TypeComedy / humor observance
• Great forComedians, Coworkers, Classrooms, Group chats

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Ways to celebrate

Humanity's oldest recorded joke is nearly 4,000 years old — and it's still, technically, a bar joke.

Meet the world's oldest confirmed joke

A Sumerian tablet roughly 4,000 years old records what's considered the oldest recorded joke in history, structured as a setup-and-punchline bar joke: "A dog walks into a bar and says, 'I cannot see a thing. I'll open this one.'"

Know why the humor doesn't fully translate

Modern readers can identify the joke's structure but not necessarily why ancient Sumerians found it funny — much of ancient humor likely relied on wordplay or cultural context that's been lost along with the rest of the spoken language.

Read the fuller history

Helpful resources:

• Oldest Joke (Guinness World Records)

Did you know?

Researchers at the University of Wolverhampton found that the earliest identifiable jokes already leaned on themes still common today — taboo subjects, puns, and toilet humor — suggesting comedy's basic instincts haven't changed much in 4,000 years.

Fun facts

• National Tell a Joke Day is celebrated every year on August 16th.
• Laughter has been scientifically shown to reduce stress hormones, boost the immune system, and improve overall mood.
• The oldest known joke, dating back to 1900 BC from Sumeria, involves flatulence, showcasing humor's ancient origins.

Sources and attribution

Oldest Joke (Guinness World Records)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is National Tell a Joke Day?

It is observed on August 16 each year.

What is National Tell a Joke Day?

National Tell a Joke Day, observed annually on August 16th, is an unofficial holiday dedicated to the sharing of humor and the simple joy of laughter. It encourages people to lighten the mood, engage in playful banter, and spread cheer by telling jokes, whether they be silly puns, classic knock-knocks, or clever one-liners, highlighting the universal appeal and positive impact of comedy.

How do people celebrate National Tell a Joke Day?

Tell a joke and consider humanity's oldest recorded one — a nearly 4,000-year-old Sumerian bar joke about a dog, still following the same setup-and-punchline structure jokes use today.

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