NATIONAL SUPERHERO DAY
Have you ever been rescued from a risky situation or saved from injury or death? Those who come to our aid are called heroes. Some heroes happen to be in the right place at the right time. Others choose to be a hero as a career (though they wouldn’t call themselves heroes.) Other still are fictional creations that inspire us with hope. Each year on April 28th, National Superhero Day honors superheroes, both real and fictional.
Batman, Superman, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Hulk, and Spiderman are just some of the superheroes whose names we recognize. Even though they are fictional, these superheroes provide role models for our children. They serve and protect while fighting evil.
Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary. ~ Gerard Way
Our real-life superheroes may not have superpowers or wear capes. However, just like fictional superheroes, children also look up to them as role models. They serve and protect their communities. These real-life superheroes also dedicate their lives to helping others, saving lives, or being a mentor. Military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and teachers are just a few of the heroes who protect us on a daily basis.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSuperheroDay
- Take your favorite superhero to lunch and say thank you for all they do. Let them know that you appreciate them.
- Share what you think makes a hero.
- Take a picture with your favorite hero and post it on social media.
- Draw your version of a superhero.
- If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
- Share your stories and experiences using #NationalSuperheroDay.
- Educators and families, check out the National Day Classroom for projects to #CelebrateEveryDay!
NATIONAL SUPERHERO DAY HISTORY
In 1995, Marvel Comics‘ employees created National Superhero Day.
Superhero FAQ
Q. Who was the first superhero?
A. Lee Falk created the first superhero The Phantom which debuted in 1936.
Q. Do all superheroes have special powers?
A. No. Some superheroes like Bat Man use specialized gear to help them with their crime-fighting ways.
April 28th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) History
1952
The official end of Allied occupation in Japan took place according to the Treaty of San Francisco, or the Treaty of Peace with Japan signed seven months prior. Signed by 49 countries, including the United States and Japan, the treaty restored full sovereignty to Japan on this date. While Nationalist China signed the treaty, neither Red China nor Russia did. Both were still considered at war with the island country.
1955
Helicopter pilot Jean Ross Howard Phelan founded the Whirly-Girls organization along with 13 international charter members. While training at Bell Helicopter School in Fort Worth, Texas, Lawrence Bell nicknamed Ross Howard Phelan a “whirly-girl” inspiring her to use the name for the organization. In the organization’s more than six decades, it has promoted the advancement of women helicopter pilots, charitable aviation, mentoring, scholarship and camaraderie.
1992
Agriculture Secretary Edward Madigan revealed the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid. The new guide illustrated the food groups in a hierarchy of recommended servings. It replaced the previous design called the “Food Wheel.”
2001
For the budget-friendly price tag of $20 million, American businessman Dennis Tito hitched a ride aboard a Russian supply mission to the International Space Station. His six-day round trip is considered the first of a space tourist.
April 28th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) Birthdays
James Monroe – 1758
During the fifth president’s administration, the young country began facing the moral dilemma of slavery for the first time. The Missouri Compromise allowed Missouri to enter the union as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It also restricted slavery north and west of Missouri, setting the stage for future division. Monroe was also the last of the Founding Fathers to be elected to the presidency.
Erich Salomon – 1914
The German photographer was known for capturing photos of notable figures and events. He is considered one of the founding fathers of modern photojournalism.
Harper Lee – 1926
Best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), Harper Lee later accepted a post at the National Council of the Arts. While Mockingbird brought celebrity and wealth to Lee, she didn’t publish another novel until 2015. Originally written in 1957, Go Set a Watchman follows up on the main characters in Mockingbird.
Jay Leno – 1950
In 1992, the American comedian became the host of NBC’s The Tonight Show. He hosted the show for 17 years. Also a known car geek, he also hosts the television show Jay Leno’s Garage.
