Twins have existed for a very very long time. As a result of their perceived witchcraft, they have been honoured, revered, and sometimes persecuted.
Whatever you name them — two peas in a pod, mirror images — twins are a unique miracle, which is likely why we celebrate National Twins Day annually on the first full weekend of August. This year, it occurs from August 5 to August 7. National Twins Day was originally intended to take place on the first Saturday of August; however, it has evolved into a weekend-long commemoration of all things double. Whether fraternal or identical, twins share a bond unlike any other on the planet, despite their distinct personalities and appearances. This day seeks to highlight similarities, celebrate differences, and provide a festival for twins across the United States.
Twins have existed for a very very long time. As a result of their perceived witchcraft, they have been honoured, revered, and sometimes persecuted. The twin phenomenon has manifested in each and every form of art and culture created by civilizations from around the globe.
The fact that they captivated the public’s imagination was likely the reason why twins appear in mythologies across the globe. In Greek mythology, Apollo and Artemis are twin deities who govern the sun and the moon, respectively. According to legend, Romulus and Remus, reared by a she-wolf, founded the Roman state. An evil twin, Angra Mainyu, opposes the virtuous twin, Spenta Mainyu, in Zoroastrian tradition.
Religious texts do not constitute an exception. Even the “Bible” mentions twins, such as the legendary rivalry between Esau and Jacob in the book of Genesis.
Twins have also been used by writers to encourage audiences to read more, with titans such as Shakespeare incorporating them into comedic storylines in “Twelfth Night.”
In the nineteenth century, we realised that twins should not be assigned predetermined positions, as our ancestors did. As science progressed, so did interest in twins: why they are born, what factors contribute to their similarity, and how the environment affects their development. Many influential theories, such as Francis Galton’s paper, ‘The History of Twins,’ and Sigmund Freud’s analysis of the sibling connection between twins, were also published during this time period.
People were able to recognise twins as unique individuals by the turn of the 20th century, when the twin mania and wild speculation had subsided. Obviously, the fascination never completely subsided, and twins continue to appear on television, in literature, and in other media.
Moses and Aaron Wilcox, recognising the popularity of twins, donated six acres of land to the Ohio hamlet of Millersville. The only condition was that the municipality be renamed “Twinsburg.” Of course, the citizens did so, and in 1976 the town hosted its first annual festival with two themes. This largest-ever assembly of twins in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, was the impetus for our event and has also inspired numerous other Twin Day events.
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Honour the fact that you or others in your orbit are part of a unique pair. Throw a twin-themed celebration with double the food and merriment. You can prepare foods in double-sized portions, such as double-decker sandwiches, double Oreo biscuits, etc.
From Phoebe Buffay in “Friends” to Sheldon and Missy Cooper in “The Big Bang Theory” and later “Young Sheldon,” there have been a number of entertaining duos portraying twins on television. Explore some ancient favourites as well as some new ones.
Ensure the twins in your life, whether they are friends, family members, or your own twins, know their uniqueness is valued and celebrated. Spend time listening to their most memorable twin experiences, and if you are a twin, share your own.
The Yoruba people of Nigeria have 45 to 50 twin sets per 1,000 live births and consider twins to be “spirit children” with a connection to the spirit world.
Around the 14th week of gestation, twin foetuses begin interacting socially with one another, according to research.
Scientists refer to the occurrence of siblings communicating in a language only they understand as ‘cryptophasia.’
Obviously, twin births are much more common in the animal domain, but did you know that sheep, ferrets, dolphins, deer, elephants, and giant pandas regularly give birth to twins?
Occasionally, twins are born on different days, but the longest delay observed to date was 63 days!
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | August 6 | Saturday |
| 2023 | August 5 | Saturday |
| 2024 | August 3 | Saturday |
| 2025 | August 2 | Saturday |
| 2026 | August 1 | Saturday |
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