After Labor Day but before Columbus Day come all of these minor, made-up holidays and celebrations.
Sept. 3: Skyscraper Day
American architect Louis Sullivan led a revolution in construction: He was among the first to design skyscrapers. The development of cheap, readily available steel in the late 19th century allowed architects like Sullivan to create buildings that stretched high into the sky. Sullivan designed the Wainwright Building in St. Louis and the Carson Pirie Scott Building in Chicago, among other marvels. In his honor, Skyscraper Day falls on Sept. 3—Sullivan’s birthday.
Sept. 6: Fight Procrastination Day
Why put off ‘till tomorrow what you can do today? So you don’t have to do it today is why. That’s procrastination, and it can be a nasty habit to get into. The organizers of this holiday that Sept. 6 is a great time to start getting things done instead of putting them off. (Ironically, this observance is somethings celebrated on…Sept. 7.)
Sept. 16: National Play Doh Day
Play-Doh is one of the bestselling—and best-smelling American toys of all time. In 1955, a preschool teacher suggested to her husband, Noah McVicker, and his brother, Kutol Chemicals engineer Joseph McVicker, that she needed a modeling clay that was soft, safe, and easy for her young students to use. The McVickers came up with something they called Play-Doh.
Sept. 22: Elephant Appreciation Day
Elephants are some of the most gigantic, fascinating, and majestic creatures on the planet. Their populations are rapidly declining, so donating to a wildlife preservation charity is a fine way to appreciate elephants. An animal foundation did not start the holiday, but by a Florida communications company director named Wayne Hepburn. His daughter gave him an elephant paperweight, and he started collecting elephant knick-knacks. In 1996, he registered Elephant Appreciation Day as an “official” holiday.
Sept. 23: Checkers Day
Unfold the board, pick red or black, and play a round of the game fit for a “king.” Or don’t—because the “Checkers” in “Checkers Day” refers to President Richard Nixon’s dog, Checkers. While running for Vice President down-ticket from Dwight Eisenhower, it was discovered that Nixon may have used part of a large campaign contribution for personal use. On Sept. 23, 1952, Nixon gave what came to be known as “the Checkers speech,” denying he used siphoned any funds, but that a donor had given his young daughters a dog named Checkers. In addition to Checkers Day, this minor observance is sometimes aptly known as Dogs in Politics Day.