INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY (June 28)
One weird holiday on June 28 and October 22 is INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY. Check out the other weird June holidays!
NO, WE AREN’T YELLING! WE ARE JUST CELEBRAING THE WEIRD HOLIDAY INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY! TODAY IS ALL ABOUT THE INVENTION OF THE CAPS LOCK BUTTON, WHICH MAKES EVERYTHING IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
This quirky holiday encourages people to embrace the boldness and emphasis that capital letters bring to their words. Whether it’s for humor, emphasis, or simply for fun, INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY invites everyone to express themselves in a louder, more eye-catching way.
When is INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY?
INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY is actually celebrated twice per year – once on June 28th, and again on October 22nd.
Who Invented INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY?
Derek Arnold, a software developer in Iowa, chose October 22nd as INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY as a way to poke fun at everyone who accidentally fat-fingers (turns on) the caps-lock button when typing a simple message.
June 28th was later chosen in honor of Billy Mays.
The Invention of the Caps Lock Key
The shift button, as well as the caps lock button, were innovations that became integral parts of typewriters and later computer keyboards. Both buttons have since become ubiquitous features on keyboards and have remained essential for written communication in the digital age.
The shift key, which allows for capitalization of letters, was first introduced on the Remington No. 2 typewriter in 1878, invented by Christopher Latham Sholes, Carlos Glidden, and Samuel W. Soule.
The caps lock key, which toggles uppercase or lowercase letters, was introduced later as part of the standard QWERTY keyboard layout, although its exact inventor is not attributed to a specific individual.
The “Billy Mays key” is a humorous term coined by internet users, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit, to refer to the caps lock key. It gained popularity as a nod to Billy Mays, a well-known infomercial pitchman known for his energetic and loud delivery style.
The term humorously implies that using the caps lock key is akin to “yelling” in written communication, similar to how Mays would passionately pitch products in his infomercials.
When Billy Mays passed away on June 28, 2009, Derek Arnold added June 28th as a secondary INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY in honor of his memory.
The History of INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, as more people gained access to the internet, online forums, chat rooms, and email became popular platforms for communication. However, the informal nature of these platforms sometimes led to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of tone.
Derek Arnold and Casey Karp, two friends and avid internet users, came up with the idea for INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY in the year 2000. Their goal was simple: to create a lighthearted holiday that poked fun at the widespread use of capital letters in online communication. Arnold is quoted as saying, “…the majority of the world’s population writes in scripts which have no concept of letter casing.”
rnold founded International Caps Lock Day as a parody on “small-mindedness of certain Western individuals.” It has since taken off and is now celebrated worldwide with the hashtag #capslockday
The Significance of Capital Letters
In written communication, CAPITAL LETTERS serve several purposes. They can denote emphasis, urgency, or importance, drawing the reader’s attention to specific words or phrases.
CAPITAL LETTERS are also commonly used for titles, headings, acronyms, and abbreviations. Additionally, they can add a sense of formality or professionalism to a document when used appropriately.
However, their overuse can sometimes be perceived as shouting or rudeness, which is why it’s essential to strike the right balance.
Celebrating INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY
- ORGANIZE A CAPS LOCK THEMED PARTY: Invite friends and family to a virtual or in-person gathering where all communication must be written in CAPITAL LETTERS. Decorate the venue with bold, oversized letters and serve snacks with labels written in all-caps for a fun and festive atmosphere.
- HOST A CAPS LOCK WRITING CONTEST: Challenge participants to write the most entertaining or creative story, poem, or social media post using only CAPITAL LETTERS. Award prizes for the funniest, most original, and most dramatic entries to encourage friendly competition and creativity.
- CREATE CAPS LOCK ART: Get creative with a DIY art project where participants can express themselves using CAPITAL LETTERS. Provide supplies like markers, paint, and paper, and encourage participants to create bold and expressive artwork that reflects the spirit of INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY.
- ORGANIZE A CAPS LOCK CHARITY DRIVE: Use the occasion to raise awareness and support for a charitable cause by organizing a fundraising event or online campaign. Encourage participants to make donations or pledges using all-caps messages to emphasize the importance of their contributions and spread the word about the cause.
- SHARE CAPS LOCK MEMES AND JOKES: Spread joy and laughter by sharing your favorite CAPS LOCK memes, jokes, and humorous anecdotes with friends, family, and followers on social media. Engage with others by commenting on their posts in CAPITAL LETTERS and join in the fun of INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY celebrations.
INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY is a fun and lighthearted celebration that invites people to embrace the boldness and emphasis of CAPITAL LETTERS in their writing. Whether used for humor, emphasis, or simply to stand out, capital letters have a unique ability to command attention and convey meaning.
As we commemorate INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY each year, let us revel in the joy of expressive communication while also remembering the importance of clarity, respect, and effective communication in our interactions with others.
So, LET’S ALL JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION AND EMBRACE THE POWER OF CAPITAL LETTERS!
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