Carousel Day, also known as National Merry-Go-Round Day, is celebrated annually on July 25. National Carousel Association (N.C.A.) devised the holiday to commemorate the registration of the first carousel design patent in 1871 by William Schneider. Carousels are not precisely a modern phenomenon, as their existence can be traced back to the Byzantine Empire in 500 A.D., where ancient drawings depict a fascinating carousel design.
The background of Carousel Day
The earliest depiction of a carousel is believed to have originated in the Byzantine Empire in 500 A.D. The design depicts riders seated in suspended baskets on poles. The term ‘carousel’ comes from the Italian word ‘garosello’ and the Spanish word ‘carosella,’ which both mean ‘little battle.’ The name alludes to the style of jousting popular in Europe and Asia during the sixth century, in which knights on horses attempted to capture balls of perfume thrown at them while riding in a circle. In the 17th century, children began playing a parody of this pastime by riding wooden horses.
Numerous individuals contributed to the development of contemporary carousels. Gustav Dentzel, who immigrated from Germany to the United States and revived his family’s carousel business, was one of the most prominent. He is credited with being the first to include animals other than horses and carriages in his carousels, such as lions, cats, tigers, and deer. William Schneider of Davenport, Ohio was the first to submit a patent for a carousel in 1871.
Bette Largent, President of the National Carousel Association (NCA), and Ronald Hopkins, a carousel historian, are responsible for the establishment of Carousel Day or Merry-Go-Round Day. The holiday was established to honour the joyful contribution of carousels to society.
CAROUSEL DAY ACTIVITIES
Visit an amusement complex
On this day, relive some of your fondest memories by visiting a local fair or amusement park. Participate in all the entertaining activities, satisfy your taste buds, and have a good time.
Ride a carousel
Even if you feel slightly out of place, you should ride a carousel. Simply relax and enjoy the journey.
Publish to social media
Take a picture of your favourite rides at the amusement park and upload it online. Be careful to use #merrygoroundday or #carouselday as your hashtags.
5 of the most popular amusement parks in the world
Magic Kingdom, located in Florida, United States at the Walt Disney World Resort, welcomes over 20 million visitors annually.
This park in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, had over 17 million visitors in 2019.
Also located in Japan, this park has averaged over 15 million annual visitors over the past decade.
Universal Studios, which is owned by Comcast, receives an annual average of 11,7 million visitors.
This park in Shanghai, China, received more than 11 million visitors in a single year.
CAROUSEL DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | July 25 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | July 25 | Thursday |
| 2025 | July 25 | Friday |
| 2026 | July 25 | Saturday |
| 2027 | July 25 | Sunday |
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