Every year on December 21, National Crossword Puzzle Day celebrates the joys of puzzle solving. Whether you’re a veteran puzzler or just getting started, this day provides an opportunity to explore the world of word play and prove your mental acuity in a fun and challenging way. Crossword puzzles are not only fun to do, but they can also help keep your mind sharp as you age. Plus, they’re great for problem-solving skills, memory retention, and even developing a better vocabulary! So if you’re ready to tackle some crosswords this December 21st – National Crossword Puzzle Day – then read on for tips on how to get started.
What is National Crossword Puzzle Day?
National Crossword Puzzle Day is an annual event celebrated on December 21st. The holiday was created in honor of Arthur Wynne, who is credited with inventing the modern crossword puzzle.
The day is a time to celebrate one of America’s favorite pastimes and to challenge yourself with a new puzzle. Whether you’re a seasoned solver or just getting started, National Crossword Puzzle Day is the perfect occasion to break out the pens and pencils and give your brain a workout.
There are many different ways to celebrate National Crossword Puzzle Day. You can solve puzzles online, in newspapers, or in books. You can also take on extra challenging puzzles, like those with difficult clues or large grids. Or you can try your hand at creating your own crossword puzzle.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, National Crossword Puzzle Day is a fun way to expand your vocabulary, test your problem-solving skills, and spend some quality time with friends or family. So put on your thinking cap and get ready for some fun!
How to celebrate National Crossword Puzzle Day
In honor of National Crossword Puzzle Day on December 21, we’ve put together a list of ways you can celebrate this fun holiday!
1. Get a group of friends together and have a crossword puzzle competition. See who can finish the most puzzles in an hour or who can get the highest score on a particularly difficult one.
2. Make your own crossword puzzle. This can be done online or with a pencil and paper. If you want to make it extra challenging, use clues that are personal to you and your friends.
3. Go to a local bar or restaurant that has trivia night and see if they’ll let you do a special crossword puzzle-themed night. This is a great way to test your knowledge and have some fun with friends at the same time.
4. Check out some online resources for learning more about crossword puzzles, such as blogs, online forums, or dedicated websites. You might be surprised at how much there is to learn about this popular pastime!
5. Spend some time solving puzzles from different countries – it’s a great way to learn new words and expand your cultural horizons.
The history of crossword puzzles
The crossword puzzle was first invented in the late 19th century by an English journalist named Arthur Wynne. Wynne’s puzzle, which he called a “word-cross,” was published in a New York newspaper on December 21, 1913.
It wasn’t until 1924 that the crossword puzzle became truly popular, when an editor at The New York World decided to publish a puzzle every day. This daily publication continued for nearly 30 years, until the paper ceased publication in 1953.
In the decades since, the crossword puzzle has become a staple of American popular culture. It has appeared in newspapers and magazines all over the country, and has even been featured in movies and television shows.
Famous crossword puzzle constructors
Across the United States, puzzles fans celebrate National Crossword Puzzle Day on December 21st. This holiday commemorates the birth of Arthur Wynne, who is credited with creating the first crossword puzzle.
While Wynne is the inventor of the modern crossword, many famous constructors have followed in his footsteps. Will Shortz, for example, is the current puzzle editor of The New York Times. He began his career as a college student, when he started selling puzzles to newspapers.
Other notable constructors include Merl Reagle, Margaret Farrar, and Eugene T. Maleska. Reagle is a multiple-time winner of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, and his work has appeared in publications like USA Today and The Los Angeles Times. Farrar was the first woman to edit The New York Times crossword puzzle, and she held that position for over three decades. Maleska edited The New York Times crossword from 1977 until his death in 1993; during his tenure, he oversaw a major expansion of the paper’s puzzle offerings.
These constructors and many others have helped make crosswords one of America’s favorite pastimes. So whether you’re a seasoned solver or just getting started, grab a pencil and celebrate National Crossword Puzzle Day!
Tips for solving crossword puzzles
If you’re new to solving crosswords, here are some tips to get you started.
1. Read the clue carefully and think about what it might be asking for. If you’re unsure, look at other clues in the same puzzle for similar words or phrases.
2. Try to break the clue down into smaller pieces. This can help you to better understand what it’s asking for.
3. Use process of elimination to narrow down your options. If you can eliminate certain letters or words, it can make solving the puzzle much easier.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re stuck. There’s no shame in admitting that you need a little assistance. Ask a friend or family member for their opinion or look up the answer online.
Crossword puzzle resources
Crossword puzzles are a great way to improve your mental sharpness, learn new words, and keep your mind active. To celebrate National Crossword Puzzle Day on December 21, we’ve gathered some of the best resources for crossword puzzle lovers of all levels.
For beginners, we recommend starting with the New York Times Crosswords app. It features free daily puzzles that gradually increase in difficulty, so you can ease into the challenge at your own pace. The app also has a handy “Clue of the Day” feature to help you solve tricky clues.
If you’re looking for more of a challenge, try one of the themed crosswords from USA Today. With themes like movies, TV, music, and history, these puzzles will keep you entertained for hours. And if you get stuck on a clue, don’t worry – there’s an online hint system to help you out.
For those who want to take their crossword solving skills to the next level, we recommend The Crossword Challenge by Simon and Schuster. This book features 100 tough puzzles that will really test your brainpower. But don’t worry – there are also detailed solutions included so you can check your work.
No matter what your skill level is, there’s a crossword puzzle resource out there that’s perfect for you. So get solving and happy National Crossword Puzzle Day!
NATIONAL CROSSWORD PUZZLE DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | December 21 | Wednesday |
| 2023 | December 21 | Thursday |
| 2024 | December 21 | Saturday |
| 2025 | December 21 | Sunday |
| 2026 | December 21 | Monday |
Conclusion
National Crossword Puzzle Day is the perfect opportunity to take a break from your daily routine and challenge yourself. Whether you’re an experienced puzzler or a beginner, you can find plenty of ways to enjoy crosswords on this special holiday. From completing puzzles online, in books or even finding local events that celebrate National Crossword Puzzle day, there are many different activities for both novice and expert puzzle solvers alike. So grab some paper and pencils, settle in with your favorite beverage, put on some music and get ready to solve!
Important days and events on December 21
| DATE | EVENT |
| DEC 21 | National Coquito Day |
| DEC 21 | National Short Girl Appreciation Day |
| DEC 21 | Winter Solstice |
| DEC 21 | Blue Christmas |
| DEC 21 | December Solstice |
| DEC 21 | Dongzhi |
| DEC 21 | Humbug Day |
| DEC 21 | Look on the Bright Side Day |
| DEC 21 | National Armagnac Day |
| DEC 21 | National Crossword Puzzle Day |
| DEC 21 | National Flashlight Day |
| DEC 21 | National French Fried Shrimp Day |
| DEC 21 | National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day |
| DEC 21 | National Lee Day |
| DEC 21 | National Maine Day |
| DEC 21 | São Tomé Day |
| DEC 21 | World Snowboard Day |
| DEC 21 | Yule |
