National Mahjong Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Mahjong Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Mahjong Day is celebrated on April 30th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Mahjong Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you might want to know about National Mahjong Day.

📅 What day is National Mahjong Day 2024?

In 2024, National Mahjong Day is on Sunday, April 30th. It is the 5th Sunday in April; in 2024, it is Tuesday. There are until the next observance. You also can see all the fun details and facts about April 30, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

National Mahjong Day is celebrated every year on April 30th. Mahjong is an ancient tile-based game that originated in China in the 19th century. It remains popular worldwide, especially in Asian countries. Typically played by four people, variations of the game with three players are also played in China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. The game involves using 144 tiles adorned with Chinese characters and symbols. Each player begins with 13 tiles and the objective is to draw and discard tiles until a legal hand is formed. Once the 14th tile is drawn, players can create four sets and a pair known as “melds” and “eyes” respectively.

📜 National Mahjong Day History

The People’s Republic of China was established in 1949 and implemented a rule that banned gambling, causing a decline in the popularity of Mahjong. The game was completely prohibited during the Cultural Revolution in 1966 and the ban was lifted in 1985. Nowadays, Mahjong is a popular hobby in China.

The first records of Mahjong in the West can be traced back to British Consul General F. E. B. Harvey, who learned the game from an English-speaking officer during his time in Ningbo in the 1860s. Harvey then published articles explaining the rules of the game.

Mahjong sets were introduced to the United States in 1920 and quickly became a craze that lasted throughout the decade. It played a significant role in cultural bonding for Chinese Americans in Manhattan’s Chinatown in the 1920s and 1930s, as well as in community building for suburban American Jewish women in the 1940s and 1950s. Mahjong nights in America often featured Chinese-style room furnishings and decorations. The National Mah Jongg League was founded in 1937, which standardized the rules for the American version of the game. The league organized its first Mah Jongg Cruise Tournament in 1986. In North America, tournaments are currently organized by the American Mah Jongg Association, established in 1999.

✅ National Mahjong Day Facts

🔖 Tiles were originally made out of bone
In recent times, plastic has become the predominant material used in their construction.

🔖 The first world tournament was in Japan
The World Mahjong Championship took place in Iidabashi, Tokyo, over the course of three days in 2002. The champion, Mai Hatsune, hailed from Japan.

🔖 There are 25 recognized variations
Some examples of mahjong games are American Mahjong, Competition Mahjong, and Pussers’ Bones.

👍 Why Is National Mahjong Day Important

Some of these include tactics, observation, memory, pattern recognition, and adaptive methods. Playing and improving at it can help us improve these skills, which can be very useful in our everyday lives.

Let’s be honest: looking at the tiles makes it appear far more complex than it is. A skilled instructor, on the other hand, may break down that barrier. Teaching your friends and family how to play is a great way to bond, and if they get good, you might find new rivals!

It’s always a good idea to broaden your horizons and learn about various cultures. You don’t even need to know anything about the history of Mahjong. Simply gazing at the tiles exposes you to so much of Chinese culture, such as Chinese language characters, flowers, scenery, symbols, and so on.

🙂 How To Observe National Mahjong Day

⚡ Teach Mahjong to others
In addition to taking part, you can volunteer to educate your friends and family members. It would be great if you could help spread the word about this amazing game too! If you attend an event, you could even offer to teach newcomers. Just ask the organizers if they need any extra instructors!

⚡ Learn to play Mahjong
If you’re new to the game, you can still join in the excitement by giving it a try. Destination Mahjongg is an online community that connects you with other players in your area. On National Mahjong Day, they offer a Learn to Play Mahjongg Clinic where you can get started. Additionally, you can learn for free by watching YouTube tutorials and playing Mahjong on your computer or smartphone.

⚡ Join an event
Discover the local venues in your vicinity that are observing National Mahjong Day and make a visit. You don’t necessarily have to join a competitive event; chances are they will also offer tables for casual play, providing an excellent opportunity to socialize with like-minded individuals and make new connections.

📅 When is National Mahjong Day?

You can view all 🔗 April holidays, including 🔗 Arts & Entertainment and other 🔗 Activities holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about National Mahjong Day. So be sure to check back soon.