Roald Dahl Day

Roald Dahl Day is dedicated to the famous writer Roald Dahl, who gave the world such wonderful works as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Matilda,” and others. Many of his short stories and novels have also been adapted into films and cartoons.

History

Roald Dahl Day is on September 13th, coinciding with Dahl’s birthday. He was born in Wales to Norwegian parents and was educated in English schools, as his father had wished.

A significant event during Dahl’s schooling at Repton, a private school in the East Midlands, inspired “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” At age 13, Dahl and his classmates were sent Cadbury chocolate bars to test. This sparked his desire to create his own chocolate bar that would impress Cadbury’s confectioners. This dream later became the basis for his popular story, first published in the United States in 1964 and in England in 1967.

Dahl created many intriguing works for various age groups and received numerous awards, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award and the Netherlands Children’s Jury Award.

Interesting Facts

• During World War II, Roald Dahl served as a British Royal Air Force pilot.
• The first children’s fairy tale by Dahl was “The Gremlins,” which he wrote for Disney, though the cartoon was never produced.
• Dahl invented about 500 new words that have entered common usage, such as “witching hour” and “golden ticket.”

How to Take Part

Celebrate Roald Dahl Day by reading his best works and watching films based on them. Learn more about the life of this fascinating writer. Libraries often host lectures about Dahl’s life and works on this day.

For something special, organize a themed quest or competition based on Dahl’s stories with friends. It promises to be an exciting experience!

When is Roald Dahl Day in 2024?

Roald Dahl Day is observed on September 13 each year.

Observations