National Scrabble Day (April 13), History, Fun Facts, How to Celebrate and Activities

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Join us as we explore the rich history and cultural significance of Scrabble, and discover fun facts and activities to celebrate National Scrabble Day. Host your own Scrabble-themed party or tournament.

National Scrabble Day (April 13)

National Scrabble Day is an annual observance that celebrates the popular board game, Scrabble. It takes place every year on April 13th and is a day dedicated to the game and its enthusiasts. Scrabble is a word game where players score points by creating words from letter tiles on a game board. The game has been enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds since its creation in 1938, and National Scrabble Day is a way to honor its enduring popularity and encourage people to play and enjoy the game.

History of National Scrabble Day

National Scrabble Day has its roots in the history of the game itself. Scrabble was invented in 1938 by American architect Alfred Mosher Butts, who created the game as a variation of an earlier word game he had invented. The game quickly gained popularity, and in 1952, Butts sold the rights to Scrabble to entrepreneur James Brunot, who made some small changes to the game and began marketing it on a larger scale.

Over the years, Scrabble has become a beloved game played by millions of people worldwide, and in 1984, the National Scrabble Association was formed to promote and organize Scrabble tournaments and events. In 2018, the organization merged with the North American Scrabble Players Association to form the North American Scrabble Federation.

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National Scrabble Day itself was first celebrated in 1982, marking the 44th anniversary of the game’s creation. Since then, it has become an annual observance celebrated on April 13th, the birthday of Alfred Mosher Butts. On this day, Scrabble players around the world come together to play, compete, and celebrate the game and its enduring popularity.

Scrabble Timeline

Here’s a brief timeline of significant events in the history of Scrabble:

  • 1931: Alfred Mosher Butts creates a game called “Lexiko” using a board, letter tiles, and a scoring system based on letter frequency.
  • 1938: Butts creates a new version of the game called “Criss-Crosswords,” which features a game board and letter tiles similar to those used in Scrabble.
  • 1948: James Brunot, an entrepreneur, buys the rights to the game and makes some changes, including adding bonus squares and changing the name to “Scrabble.”
  • 1952: Scrabble is launched in the United States and becomes an instant success.
  • 1968: The first National Scrabble Championship is held in New York City.
  • 1986: The World Scrabble Championship is held for the first time in London, England.
  • 1991: The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary is published, containing over 100,000 words.
  • 2003: The North American Scrabble Players Association is formed to oversee organized Scrabble play in North America.
  • 2013: The board and tile designs for Scrabble are updated for the first time in over a decade.
  • 2018: The National Scrabble Association merges with the North American Scrabble Players Association to form the North American Scrabble Federation.

Scrabble has continued to evolve and remain popular over the years, with new variations and tournaments being introduced regularly. Today, it is played by millions of people around the world and remains one of the most beloved and iconic board games of all time.

National Scrabble Day Activities

There are many fun activities you can do to celebrate National Scrabble Day! Here are a few ideas:

  1. Play a game of Scrabble with family or friends: Gather together and enjoy a friendly game of Scrabble. You can even make it a tournament with prizes for the winner!
  2. Create your own Scrabble board: If you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own Scrabble board using cardboard, paper, or even wood. You can paint or draw the board and make your own letter tiles using stickers or cut-outs.
  3. Host a Scrabble-themed party: Invite friends over for a Scrabble-themed party. You can serve Scrabble-themed snacks, such as letter-shaped cookies, and decorate your space with Scrabble tiles and boards.
  4. Organize a virtual Scrabble game: If you can’t be with friends or family in person, you can still play a game of Scrabble virtually using online platforms like Facebook or Zoom.
  5. Create your own Scrabble words: Try to come up with as many words as you can using the letters in your name or the names of your family and friends. You can also try to come up with words using random combinations of letters.

No matter how you choose to celebrate National Scrabble Day, the important thing is to have fun and enjoy the game!

Why We Love and Celabrate National Scrabble Day

There are many reasons why people love and celebrate National Scrabble Day. For one, Scrabble is a fun and challenging game that requires players to use their vocabulary and strategy skills to score points and win. It’s a great way to spend time with family and friends, and it’s a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Additionally, Scrabble has a rich history and cultural significance. It has been played for over 80 years and has become an iconic board game known around the world. Scrabble has also been featured in movies, TV shows, and books, further cementing its place in popular culture.

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National Scrabble Day provides an opportunity for Scrabble enthusiasts to come together and celebrate their love for the game. It’s a chance to organize Scrabble tournaments, play games with friends and family, and share stories and memories about the game. For many people, National Scrabble Day is a fun and meaningful way to connect with others who share their passion for Scrabble.

In summary, we love and celebrate National Scrabble Day because it’s a fun and challenging game that has stood the test of time. It’s a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, and it has a rich cultural significance. National Scrabble Day provides an opportunity for Scrabble enthusiasts to come together and celebrate their love for the game, creating a sense of community and connection.

Interesting Fun Facts About Scrabble

Here are some interesting fun facts about Scrabble:

  1. The highest possible Scrabble score for a single word is 1782, for the word “oxyphenbutazone,” which is a type of anti-inflammatory medication.
  2. The game was originally called “Criss-Crosswords,” but it was later changed to “Scrabble” after James Brunot, who bought the rights to the game, came up with the name.
  3. The original Scrabble set had 100 tiles, but modern sets have 100 to 120 tiles, depending on the language.
  4. The most valuable Scrabble tile is the letter “Q,” which is worth 10 points. It’s also the most difficult letter to use in the game, as it’s almost always followed by a “U.”
  5. The game has been translated into over 30 languages, including Hebrew, Arabic, Thai, and Hindi.
  6. The longest game of Scrabble on record lasted 240 hours (10 days), and was played by two teams of five players each in Queensland, Australia in 1984.
  7. The world record for the highest individual Scrabble score in a single game is held by Toh Weibin of Singapore, who scored 850 points in a game in 2012.
  8. Scrabble has been featured in many popular movies and TV shows, including “Mad Men,” “The Simpsons,” and “The West Wing.”
  9. The game has inspired many spin-offs and variations, including “Scrabble Junior,” “Travel Scrabble,” and “Scrabble Slam.”
  10. In 2004, a group of prisoners at a Texas jail were caught cheating at Scrabble by hiding tiles in their pockets and communicating with each other using sign language.

These fun facts demonstrate the enduring popularity and cultural significance of Scrabble, and the many fascinating stories and achievements associated with the game.

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