National Puzzle Day

Any puzzles have a beneficial effect on the brain, helping to develop memory and conflict resolution skills. National Puzzle Day is for everyone who loves crosswords, puzzles, or sudoku. It is annually on January 29th.

History

The first puzzles appeared in antiquity. In ancient Egypt, archaeologists have found wall paintings that resemble a labyrinth with riddles in their structure. In medieval culture, puzzles were developed at the end of the 19th century. Over the years, the popularity of logical problems has grown, with many scientists attributing this fact to an increased need for a decent education. An Irish educator even compiled a collection entitled “Problems for the Development of the Young Mind.”

The spread of the puzzle was also due to S. Loyd. He is credited with the creation of the famous “Fifteen” puzzle. It consists of fifteen identical square pieces, each with numbers. One of the squares is empty. The goal of the game is to arrange the numbers in order with the fewest moves possible.

In 1974, the Rubik’s Cube appeared, named after its creator. This invention so excited the minds of young mathematicians that they even formed special clubs and competed in solving it quickly.

Interesting Facts

1. The first puzzle in a magazine was published in 1913. A. Wayne was its author.
2. L. Carroll gained fame thanks to the children’s book “Alice in Wonderland.” It contains many secrets, most of which are based on wordplay. During his lifetime, Lewis had an extraordinary mind, and he was engaged in the development of puzzles.
3. During the Great Depression, puzzles were one of the few forms of entertainment. They were recyclable and had a fairly low cost, which increased demand for them.

How to Celebrate

The best way to spend the holiday is to solve a puzzle. You can go to the store and buy a new set or try to find a long-forgotten one at home. There are also many websites with virtual puzzles on the Internet. Don’t forget to share your pastime story with your friends via social media by using #NationalPuzzleDay.

When is National Puzzle Day in 2025?

National Puzzle Day is observed on January 29 each year.

Observations