Learn about the history of National High Five Day, fun activities to celebrate the holiday, and why this day is all about promoting positivity, human connection, and having fun.
National High Five Day is an annual unofficial holiday celebrated on the third Thursday of April in the United States. It is a day dedicated to giving high-fives to friends, family, and strangers to spread positive energy and raise awareness about the benefits of physical touch and human connection. The holiday was created in 2002 by college students at the University of Virginia and has since spread to other parts of the country, with people organizing high-five events and social media campaigns to mark the occasion.
History of National High Five Day
National High Five Day was created in 2002 by a group of students at the University of Virginia as a way to promote positive energy and human connection. The idea was simple: encourage people to give high-fives to others as a way of spreading goodwill and positive vibes.
The first National High Five Day was celebrated on April 17, 2003, and it quickly gained popularity on social media and in communities across the country. The holiday was featured in national news outlets, and people began organizing high-five events and challenges to mark the occasion.
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Over the years, National High Five Day has continued to grow in popularity and has become a beloved annual tradition for many Americans. It is now celebrated on the third Thursday of April each year, and people use the holiday as a way to connect with others, have fun, and spread joy and positivity.
Today, National High Five Day is not only a celebration of the simple gesture of a high-five but also a reminder of the power of human connection and the importance of spreading positivity in our communities.
High Five Timeline
Here is a timeline of some key moments in the history of the high-five:
- 1977: Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke of the Los Angeles Dodgers are credited with inventing the high-five during a baseball game.
- 1980s: The high-five becomes a popular gesture of celebration and camaraderie among athletes and fans.
- 1990s: The “Air Five” becomes popular, which involves two people high-fiving without actually making physical contact.
- 2002: National High Five Day is created by students at the University of Virginia as a way to promote positive energy and human connection.
- 2008: Guinness World Record for most high-fives in one minute is set at 162.
- 2011: The National High Five Project is launched, a nonprofit organization that uses high-fives to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles among children.
- 2013: The “Selfie High Five” becomes popular, which involves taking a selfie while high-fiving someone else.
- 2017: The Utah Jazz break the world record for the largest high-five tunnel, with 2,771 people participating.
- 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, National High Five Day is celebrated virtually, with people sharing high-five videos and messages online instead of in person.
National High Five Day Activities
Here are some fun and simple activities you can do to celebrate National High Five Day:
- Give high-fives to your friends, family, and coworkers throughout the day to spread positivity and connect with others.
- Organize a high-five challenge with your friends or coworkers, where you try to give as many high-fives as possible within a certain time limit.
- Create a high-five photo booth with fun props and decorations to take memorable photos with your friends.
- Participate in a virtual high-five event or social media campaign by using the hashtag #NationalHighFiveDay and sharing photos or videos of you and your friends giving high-fives.
- Host a high-five fundraiser for a local charity or nonprofit organization, where you donate a certain amount of money for every high-five you receive throughout the day.
Remember to always ask for consent before giving a high-five and respect people’s boundaries if they do not want to participate. Happy National High Five Day!
Why We Love and Celebrate National High Five Day
We love and celebrate National High Five Day because it promotes positivity, human connection, and fun. High-fives are a simple gesture that can instantly boost our mood and make us feel good. They also have been shown to reduce stress and increase feelings of social support and connection.
On National High Five Day, people across the country come together to celebrate the power of physical touch and human connection. It’s a day to spread joy, positivity, and kindness by giving high-fives to friends, family, and even strangers. It’s a reminder that a small act of kindness can go a long way in brightening someone’s day and making the world a better place.
National High Five Day is also a fun and lighthearted holiday that encourages people to have fun and be silly. It’s a day to let loose, be playful, and enjoy the simple things in life. Whether you participate in a high-five challenge, host a high-five fundraiser, or simply give high-fives to those around you, National High Five Day is a day to celebrate positivity, human connection, and the joy of being alive.
