October 31 - National Knock Knock Joke Day

Happy National Knock Knock Joke Day! On October 31, feel free to laugh out loud!  

 
Today encourages telling a few funny knock-knock jokes while going door to door. And the day is for jokesters of all ages as well. 

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A little history of the knock knock joke: 

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1929:  The game of Buff – A child with a stick thumps it on the ground using the following dialogue:

 
Knock Knock 
Who’s There: 
Buff 

What says, Buff: 

Buff says Buff to all his men, and I say Buff to you again. 

1934:  The standard knock knock joke format was used in a newspaper humor column:

 

Knock Knock 
Q. Who’s there? 

A. Rufus 
Q. Rufus Who? 
A. Rufus the most important part of your house. 

 
1936:  Likely the beginning of popularity for knock knock jokes. 

Knock knock jokes became a regular part of NBC's American sketch comedy television program Laugh-in (1968–1973). 

At a very young age, children often learn to tell knock knock jokes as one of their first types of jokes. They also like making up knock-knock jokes to tell their family and friends.  

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Take turns telling knock knock jokes with your kids. Make up new ones or tell some old classics. Trade them back and forth and let the giggles ensue. Laughter is some of the best medicine you can share. 

Have a knock knock joke-writing contest. Take videos and share them. Visit fatherly.com to find some funny ones for kids. 

https://www.fatherly.com/play/funniest-knock-knock-jokes-kids/ 

We even have a guide to help you tell jokes, 5 Types of Funny Jokes to Tell Your Kids. 

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/5-types-of-funny-jokes-to-tell-your-kids/ 

Tell your best knock-knock jokes and use #KnockKnockJokeDay to post on social media. 

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for projects, puzzles, and more designed to Celebrate Every Day® with your students!

 

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day-calendar-classroom-week-12-october-29-2018/ 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origin of this fun day.  

What’s your favorite knock knock joke(s)? 

#KnockKnockJokeDay 

@FatherlyHQ 

@nichecinema 

October 31 - National Magic Day

Happy National Magic Day! On October 31 each year, today recognizes the thrill of seeing the performance art. It takes place during National Magic Week.   

Magic is a performance art entertaining audiences through the creation of illusions and sleight of hand. 

The methods of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats use natural means. The person performing such entertainment is called a magician or an illusionist. 

Humans have likely created magical displays throughout history.  One of the most renowned magicians was Harry Houdini.  

Known for his *escapology, Houdini had developed a range of stage magic tricks and made full use of the variety of conjuring techniques, including fake equipment and collusion with individuals in the audience.   

His show business savvy was as exceptional as his showmanship. The Houdini Museum is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. 

* Escapology is the practice of escaping from restraints or other traps. 

Some Magic Categories:

 

• • Stage illusions –a kind of large-scale performance on a stage.  

• • Parlor magic – a performance before a medium scale audience such as an auditorium.  

• • Micromagic – performed close up using coins, cards, and other small items. It’s also known as close-up or table magic. This type of performance occurs in an intimate setting. 

• • Escapology – In this type of performance, the artist escapes from a dangerous situation such as being submerged underwater while handcuffed or dangling from a burning rope.  

• • Pickpocket magic – A distraction type of performance, the artist, makes watches, jewelry, wallets, and more disappear through misdirection. The audience witnesses the entire event.  

• • Mentalism – This type of performance stuns the audience with the artist’s powers of intuition, memory, deduction, and other feats of the mind. 

Many magicians take their talents and combine them. Whether they take to show to the streets or entertain children, they hone their skills in a variety of ways.  

Others travel with fairs or demonstrate their skills with corporate or trade shows. Also, audiences enjoy comedy and magic together. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Attend a magic show or teach yourself a magic trick or watch other magicians perform. Read a book about Harry Houdini or another magician. Visit a magic museum. 

HISTORY 

The Society of American Magicians sponsors National Magic Day. In 1938, a Chicago member of the Society of American Magicians sought official permission for a Houdini Day.

His wife, American stage assistant Wilhelmina Beatrice "Bess" Houdini, sanctioned the observance, and October 31st was proclaimed National Magic Day in Harry Houdini’s memory. 

Harry Houdini (March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926). 
 

#NationalMagicDay 

@TheSocietyOfAmericanMagicians 

@D_Copperfield 

@PennAndTeller 

@houdini.org 

@nichecinema