National Yo-Yo Day 🪀

Overview

National Yo-Yo Day is observed annually on June 6th, celebrating the iconic toy and commemorating the birthday of Donald F. Duncan, a pivotal figure in popularizing the yo-yo in the United States. This day encourages enthusiasts and novices alike to pick up a yo-yo, learn new tricks, and appreciate the toy's rich history and enduring appeal as both a simple plaything and a competitive sport.

Origin and story

The word "yo-yo" is believed to originate from the Ilocano language of the Philippines, meaning "come-come" or "return."

Ancient yo-yos, weighing up to four pounds, were reportedly used as hunting tools in the Philippines centuries ago.

Quick facts

• DateJune 6
• TypeCultural / community observance
• Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams

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Ways to celebrate

The yo-yo became an American toy fad because of one Filipino immigrant's business sense. Pedro Flores, who grew up playing with a traditional Filipino yo-yo, opened a small yo-yo factory in California in 1928; within a couple of years he was running multiple factories and had sold his method and rights to entrepreneur Donald Duncan, whose company (and its "sleeper" trick, letting the yo-yo spin at the end of the string) turned it into a national craze.

Learn the trick that started it all

• Practice the "sleeper" — letting the yo-yo spin freely at the bottom of the string before tugging it back up — the single trick that made looping and string tricks possible in the first place.

Read about the man behind the fad

Helpful resources: Smithsonian Magazine tells Pedro Flores's story in "The Filipino Immigrant Who Became America's Yo-Yo King."

Try a friendly contest

• Challenge friends or coworkers to a trick contest — most loops in a row, longest "walk the dog," or fastest around-the-world.

Did you know?

Duncan lost exclusive rights to the word "yo-yo" itself in a 1965 court case, after a judge ruled the term had become a generic name for the toy rather than a protectable trademark — which is why every yo-yo maker can call their product a yo-yo today.

Fun facts

• The word "yo-yo" is believed to originate from the Ilocano language of the Philippines, meaning "come-come" or "return."
• Ancient yo-yos, weighing up to four pounds, were reportedly used as hunting tools in the Philippines centuries ago.
• Donald F. Duncan, whose birthday is celebrated on June 6th, purchased the yo-yo patent from Pedro Flores in 1929 and established the Duncan Yo-Yo Company, making it a household name.

Sources and attribution

• The Filipino Immigrant Who Became America's Yo-Yo King (Smithsonian Magazine)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is National Yo-Yo Day?

It is observed on June 6 each year.

What is National Yo-Yo Day?

National Yo-Yo Day is observed annually on June 6th, celebrating the iconic toy and commemorating the birthday of Donald F. Duncan, a pivotal figure in popularizing the yo-yo in the United States. This day encourages enthusiasts and novices alike to pick up a yo-yo, learn new tricks, and appreciate the toy's rich history and enduring appeal as both a simple plaything and a competitive sport.

How do people celebrate National Yo-Yo Day?

Practice the classic 'sleeper' trick, challenge friends to a trick contest, and read up on Pedro Flores, the Filipino immigrant whose California yo-yo factory turned the toy into an American craze.

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