NATIONAL CHICKEN BOY DAY | SEPTEMBER 1
On September 1st, National Chicken Boy Day honors the birthday of an interesting statue in California. Celebrate his ceremonial birthday and learn more about this unique creation.
#ChickenBoyDay
Chicken Boy stands 22 feet tall and holds a bucket of chicken. The fiberglass statue of a boy with a chicken head can be seen along Route 66. He is named after the former 1960s Chicken Boy Restaurant. Also known as the “Statue of Liberty of Los Angeles,” he joins other notable food characters, such as Big Boy and Ronald McDonald.
When is National Paul Bunyan Day?
The iconic statue remained in place at the restaurant until the owner died in 1984. At that time, Chicken Boy was given to Los Angeles art director, Amy Inouye. For a time, the statue remained cooped up in storage. However, over 20 years later Chicken Boy flew the coop. He now graces the property of Inouye’s design firm. The entire community came together to make the restoration of Chicken Boy possible, too. His restoration and display are partly due to the catalog of items Inouye offered for purchase Chicken Boy-themed items for fans to enjoy.
In 2010, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recognized the famous Chicken Boy statue along historic U.S. Route 66 with the Governor’s Historic Preservation Award.
The feathered boy not only attracts visitors, but he also has a documentary and a polka song named after him. In addition, he and Inouye have also received several awards.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHICKEN BOY DAY
Wing it! Or wish Chicken Boy a Happy Birthday. We also suggest a few other activities to enhance your celebration.
- You can also watch Chicken Boy: The Movie directed by Tom Dusenberry.
- Dance to “The Chicken Boy Polka” by Those Darn Accordions.
- Do the Chicken Dance, too!
- Download, print and color the Chicken Boy Coloring Page.
If you do any of these, share a photo or video using #ChickenBoyDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CHICKEN BOY DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar has been unable to identify the founder of the day. However, the celebration does commemorate the statue’s birthday.
Chicken Boy FAQ
Q. Are there other statues along Route 66?
A. Yes! Muffler Man, Paul Bunyan, Cadillac Ranch, and many more!
Q. What is the world’s largest spider sculpture?
A. Jamberoo Action Park in New South Wales, Australia is home to the largest spider sculpture. It measures 64 feet 7.59 inches in tall. The spider is part of the Funnel Web Slide in the water park.
Q. Where can you visit large outdoor roadside sculpture displays?
A. Outdoor sculptures are a popular roadside attraction. Here are some of the largest in the United States:
- The Enchanted Highway in Regent, North Dakota features giant grasshoppers, a pheasant family, an underwater river scene, and a giant dragon and knight all created by artist Gary Greff.
- The Kaleva Centennial Sculpture Walkway in Kaleva, Michigan boasts a giant grasshopper, too. It also features a Vainamoinen Ship and a sparkling sculptured tree.
- Artist Linda Bakke created the world’s second-largest moose sculpture. Entitle The Big Elk (that’s what moose are called in Europe) is located Stor-Evdal, Hedmark, Norway near the village of Atna.
- In a tribute to the Choctaw Nation, artist Alex Pentek created Kindred Spirits, a large circle of feathers. The large stainless steel sculpture is located in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland, and honors the contributions of the Choctaw Nation during the Great Famine.
There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®!
September 1st Celebrated History
1752
The Whitechapel Foundry delivers The Liberty Bell to the State House in Philadelphia, PA. However, the bell remained in storage until 9 months later. At that time, a single stroke of the clapper created a crack in the bell.
1804
Karl Ludwig Harding discovers the asteroid Juno.
1859
George Pullman’s first sleeper car rides the rails. Added to the Chicago and Alton Railroad routes, this first sleeping car was available between Bloomington and Chicago, Illinois.
1878
The first telephone operator, Emma Nutt, ushered in the era where women would dominate the job. She worked for the Edwin Holmes Telephone Dispatch Company in Boston. Alexander Bell suggested replacing the boys operating the phone lines with a calm, soothing female voice.
1897
Boston opens Tremont Street Subway, the first underground rapid transit in North America.
1914
The world’s last known passenger pigeon dies at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Named Martha, she came to the zoo as part of a preservation effort that came too late.
1932
Forrest E. Mars introduces the Mars Bar. The original Mars candy bar was made of nougat and caramel coated in chocolate. However, when it made its U.S. debut, the bar comprised a different formula. It is all very confusing.
1934
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer releases its first animated cartoon. The Discontented Canary features the story of a caged canary who flees to freedom only to face multiple obstacles including weather and a cat. Don’t confuse the character with Tweety Bird. The Looney Toons character was born into the animated world a free bird.
1939
The British journalist Clare Hollingworth is the first to report the outbreak of World War II. She scooped the story by being in the right place at the right time, reporting the scores of troops building up on the German Poland border.
1952
Ernest Hemingway publishes the novel The Old Man and the Sea. The story tells the tale of an old fisherman who makes his greatest catch late in life. It would be Hemingway’s last great work published during his lifetime.
1954
Paramount releases Rear Window, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly follows a voyeuristic photojournalist as he suspects one of his neighbors of committing murder. The film earned four Oscar nods.
1963
Twice-Told Stories is released to theaters. The film stars Vincent Price in multiple roles and re-tells the stories written by Nathaniel Hawthorn.
1972
At the World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland, American Bobby Fischer defeats Russian Boris Spassky. The win makes Fischer the first American to win the tournament.
1979
NASA’s Pioneer 11 completes its first flyby of Saturn. It’s the first spacecraft to study the planet up close.
1997
The Cartoon Network, owned and operated by Turner Japan, begins airing in Japan.
September 1st Celebrated Birthdays
Engelbert Zaschka – 1895
Living in an era fascinated by flight, the prolific German inventor pioneered some of the first helicopters. He also invented a human-powered airplane and motorcycle, among other creations.
Liz Carpenter – 1920
Living through 17 U.S. Presidents, the American journalist began her work as a reporter in 1942. Among her many achievements, Carpenter served as Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administrative assistant. She also co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus.
Rocky Marciano – 1923
He is the only professional box to finish his heavyweight career undefeated. During his career, he faced several notable opponents including Joe Frasier and Don Cockell.
Boxcar Willie – 1931
Born Lecil Travis Martin, the musical performer gained recognition in the 1960s and 1970s.
Lily Tomlin – 1939
The American actress and comedian is known for her wacky characters. Some of her characters include Ernestine the telephone operator and the insightful child Edith Ann. Tomlin also starred in movies such as 9 to 5 and Prairie Home Companion. Her most recent work includes the popular Netflix sitcom Grace and Frankie.
Phil McGraw – 1950
Best known for doling out advice on his talk show, Dr. Phil, McGraw was a licensed clinical psychologist until 2006.
Gloria Estefan – 1957
The Cuban-American singer and dancer rose to the top of the charts with the Miami Sound Machine.