Everyone has a funny bone, or almost everyone does, so International Joke Day is probably a great day for just about anyone. It’s a day when people are encouraged to tell each other jokes and have a good time. It’s a holiday that people of every age can enjoy—you’re never too young or too old to enjoy a good knee-slapper of a joke.

Remember, you don’t have to be a comedian to entertain your friends and family with a joke, and you don’t have to be an audience member at a comedy show to enjoy a good joke. It all probably comes naturally, so go out there on July 1st and have some fun.

The History of International Joke Day

Although no one knows when International Joke Day originated, it is known that it probably started somewhere in the United States and has spread from there. Another thing that we know is that jokes have been around for thousands of years.

Before the dawn of written language, people were entertaining each other with clever word games and jokes. According to historians, the first written joke was found on a scroll in ancient Egypt.

Some Fun Facts About Jokes, Laughter & Humor

Anyone looking for some fun facts for International Joke Day has come to the right place. That’s because we’ve gathered together some facts that we think everyone will appreciate as they’re regaling their friends and family with jokes for this holiday.

• The oldest existing joke book was written in the 4th century by Hierocles and Philagrius.
• The oldest joke book no longer around is the one that was commissioned by Philip II of Macedon.
• The oldest joke in the world is from 1900 B.C. and deals with some toilet humor.
• Poggio’s Facetiae was a collection of short-story jokes that were popular during the Renaissance in Western Europe.
• Babies as young as 17 days old have been observed laughing.
• Humans aren’t the only animals that laugh. Rats and monkeys also laugh.
• Approximately 15 minutes of laughing a day can burn up to 40 calories.
• Laughter has been known to improve the memory of adults in their 70s.
• Of 2,500 people surveyed, 55% of them said they would take a pay cut to have more fun at work.
• Laughing has been proven to lower blood pressure slightly.

Observing International Joke Day

International Joke Day can be celebrated simply by having fun with friends and family. That’s really all there is to this holiday. Just take some time out of your day, tell some jokes, and enjoy some good times with the people you love. If you’re up for it, you can also drop a joke or two on social media using the hashtag #InternationalJokeDay.