December 4 - National Dice Day

 

Happy National Dice Day! Each year on December 4, today recognizes an ancient gaming tool. Many games incorporate dice as a way to add random challenges or obstacles to the objectives.   

Players typically throw dice onto a flat surface from their hands or a cup. The uppermost face of the die after it comes to rest determines the value of the throw.  

One popular dice game is craps where wagers are made on the total value of the throw of the dice.  

Frequently used in board games, players use dice to randomize their moves, commonly by deciding the distance a piece will move on a board. Favorite board games using dice include backgammon and Monopoly®. 

The origin of dice is uncertain. However, it is known that they have been around for thousands of years. 

At the Burnt City, an archaeological site in south-eastern Iran, archaeologists unearthed the oldest known dice as part of a 5000-year-old backgammon set! 

Players originally made dice from the talus (ankle bone) of hoofed animals. They also used ivory, wood, and plastics in making dice. Dice also come in many shapes and colors. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Play a game using dice. Or hang those fuzzy dice on the rear-view mirror. If you have two dies, you might be in pair o’ dice.  

Use #NationalDiceDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this ancient gaming device. 

#NationalDiceDay 

#NoDice 

#LuckBeALadyTonight 

@monopoly 

@YahtzeeWithBuddies 

@nichecinema