National Paranormal Day

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Paranormal describes purported, supernatural phenomena that has no scientific explanation, such as ghosts, Bigfoot, UFOs, and ESP. While mythology has long attempted to understand paranormal experiences, the paranormal continues to fascinate us today, from TV shows like the X-Files and Ghost Hunters to countless films, such as 2009’s aptly named Paranormal Activity.

National Paranormal Day, which occurs on May 3, is a novelty, unofficial holiday meant to celebrate and encourage paranormal phenomenon. Fittingly enough, the origins of National Paranormal Day are a mystery. So is why it is marked on May 3 each year, as no significant paranormal event appears to have happened on that day. The radio show Coast to Coast AM theorizes, however, this date may have been chosen because Charles Fort, an influential author and research of the paranormal, died on that day in 1932.

National Paranormal Day was first mentioned on Twitter in 2009. At the time, people were observing the occasion on both May 3 and August 10, though the former date prevailed. The holiday was entered onto the website National Day Calendar in July 2014.

Today (May 3rd) is National Paranormal Day, and National 2 Different Colored Shoes Day. So wear those two supernatural shoes! I am!

— CrazyContagion (@Thaydra) May 3, 2009

Today is National Paranormal Day. Read a creepy ghost story, have a seance, or break out the Ouija board!

— Heidy (@SelketXimenna) August 10, 2009