National Paul Bunyan Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Paul Bunyan Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Paul Bunyan Day is celebrated on June 28th.

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

📅 What day is National Paul Bunyan Day 2024?

In 2024, National Paul Bunyan Day is on Wednesday, June 28th. It is the 4th Wednesday in June; in 2024, it is Friday. There are until the next observance. You also can explore all the cool details and facts about June 28, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

National Paul Bunyan Day is a special occasion that happens annually on June 28th. It is dedicated to honoring the legendary American figure, Paul Bunyan. To commemorate this day, we are dusting off our old books about this mighty lumberjack to bring back some nostalgic memories. We invite you to join us in celebrating this beloved character!

📜 National Paul Bunyan Day History

The story of Paul Bunyan was first written down by journalist James MacGillivray, but it was freelance writer and adman William Laughead who popularized the character through an ad campaign for a logging firm. As the tales of Paul Bunyan spread across North America, he began appearing in various advertisements and became a prominent figure in folklore. Many communities in North Central America claim to be his permanent residence and have erected statues in his honor, including animated versions at a Minnesota amusement park and a large statue with his companion Babe the Blue Ox in Klamath, California.

Unlike most folk heroes, Paul Bunyan has a detailed backstory. Legends say he was an enormous baby who required five storks to transport him, and as he grew older, his strength caused windows to shake and break. There are various theories about the real-life inspiration for Paul Bunyan, with some suggesting a French-Canadian logger named Fabian “Joe” Fournier who had a similar stature and powerful hands. It is also believed that the name “Bunyan” may have been derived from “Bon Jean,” a combination of Fournier’s legends and those of a French-Canadian hero named Bon Jean.

Paul Bunyan is now widely known and easily recognizable in American mythology, with over 1,000 books written about him.

✅ National Paul Bunyan Day Facts

🔖 Paul Bunyan formed the Grand Canyon
While Paul Bunyan and Babe were passing through an area, they inadvertently created the Grand Canyon as Paul dragged his ax along the ground.

🔖 Paul Bunyan created the Minnesota Lakes
The numerous lakes in Minnesota, totaling to 10,000, are believed to have been formed as a result of the routes taken by Paul Bunyan and his companion Babe, when they inadvertently got lost during a snowstorm.

🔖 Babe’s blue coat
During a winter season, every snowflake that descended from the sky had a shade of blue, causing Babe’s fur to become permanently blue in color.

👍 Why Is National Paul Bunyan Day Important

As adults, our daily work and schedule leave little time for folktales (or tales of any kind, really). If, like us, you’ve forgotten how much joy a good story can bring into your life, National Paul Bunyan Day is the ideal vacation. Allow stories about an American lumberjack to transport you back to campfire tales while marshmallows cook in front of you.

By many accounts, Paul Bunyan may not have ever existed, yet his name has become associated with lumberjacks across America. Days like this demonstrate how powerful advertising can be in spreading a story far and wide. We believe Paul Bunyan would have been another long-forgotten fairytale if William Laughead’s advertising campaign had not resurrected his popularity.

If you haven’t already, read Paul Bunyan’s tales. Not only will you have the opportunity to explore a new genre, but you will also be able to brush up on your folklore knowledge and study cultural traits that define model lumberjacks.

🙂 How To Observe National Paul Bunyan Day

⚡ Go on a road trip

⚡ Read a Paul Bunyan tale
To celebrate National Paul Bunyan Day, cozy up with a collection of Paul Bunyan’s legendary tales. Explore other well-known American folktales starring characters like Brer Rabbit, Davy Crockett, and Bigfoot for some interesting variations. Visit local bookstores and libraries to find these books and enjoy the enchanting world of American folklore.

⚡ Play dress-up
Take a brief road trip to view some notable Paul Bunyan monuments across the United States. Giant-sized Paul Bunyan statues may be seen in states such as California, Oregon, Michigan, Minnesota, and others. There are even specialized amusement parks and museums containing Paul Bunyan relics in certain locales. Simply ask Google where such sculptures and artifacts might be found and get started!

📅 When is National Paul Bunyan Day?

Discover all 🔗 June holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Appreciation holidays.

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