National Mascot Day is observed on June 17 to honour the spirit of joy that mascots bring to all events. On game day, mascots generate excitement and vitality. Children and adults of all ages enjoy them, and they help create memories of their favourite team. California is renowned as the birthplace of some of the most eccentric and fanciful mascots in sports. The word mascot derives from the French term’mascotte,’ which is used to describe lucky objects.
The background of National Mascot Day
Mascots have existed for more than 130 years. In the 18th century, French composer Edmond Audran popularised the term with his opera “La Mascotte.” The work became so popular that it was translated into English as “The Mascot,” which refers to any lucky animal, person, or object. 11 November 1882, according to a sports article in the London newspaper “The Era,” Middlesbrough Association played a football match against a newly formed club named La Mascotte in which one player wore a costume. Probably the first mascot in the history of athletics.
The first mention of a baseball mascot in the United States occurred in 1883, when a team employee named Chic earned the reputation of bringing good luck to the players. Mascots can take the form of a person, an animal, or any symbol of good fortune. The advent of costumed mascots in the middle of the 20th century allowed teams to select any animal as their representative. Currently, mascots excite the fan base, entertain, and educate. They have taken over the entire American landscape. Additionally, mascots are frequently used to represent consumer products, such as Ronald McDonald for the fast-food chain McDonald’s.
Bands also use band mascots to publicise their music, which appear at live performances and on album covers. Consider Eddie, the leader of the English metal band Iron Maiden.
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NATIONAL MASCOT DAY EVENTS
Root for your team’s mascot
Attend your favourite sporting events and cheer for the mascot you enjoyed the most. Not only does it make the event enjoyable, but it also fosters enthusiasm and team spirit.
Buy merchandize
Purchase merch featuring your mascot. Build your collection and support your team’s mascot.
Study the past
Investigate the history of sports mascots. A intriguing history connects the two entities.
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MASCOTS
In 1968, NASA’s safety emblem is the “Peanuts” cartoon character Snoopy.
Triceratops became the team’s symbol after a dinosaur rib was discovered during stadium construction.
Domino’s Pizza had a mascot named The Noid, but it was discontinued after a mentally challenged man named Noid believed the character was based on him and committed suicide.
Eight lions have been used by MGM as symbols.
The Georgetown Hoyas’ mascot was Sergeant Stubby.
In the 1920s, the most decorated combat dog of World combat I was the mascot for the Georgetown Hoyas athletic teams.
NATIONAL MASCOT DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | June 17 | Saturday |
2024 | June 17 | Monday |
2025 | June 17 | Tuesday |
2026 | June 17 | Wednesday |
2027 | June 17 | Thursday |