National Tell a Joke Day

There is no shortage of fabricated holidays. I eat popcorn on National Popcorn Day (January 19), I don’t tell lies on National Honesty Day (April 30), and I break mirrors and walk under ladders with reckless abandon on Defy Superstition Day (September 13).

But there is no fabricated holiday around which I am more able to rally than National Tell a Joke Day, celebrated annually on August 16! That’s today, so happy holiday to you.

Here’s an oldie but goodie that’s just right for a day so special:

Some engineers needed to measure the height of a flag pole. They only had a measuring tape, and were getting quite frustrated trying to slide the tape up the pole. Eventually, a mathematician happens by, listens to their problem, and says he can help. He removes the pole from the ground and measures it easily. When he leaves, one of the engineers says, “Leave it to a mathematician! We need to find the height, and he gives us the length!”