National Mule Day is a holiday that falls on the 26th of October and is a day that’s used to honor that cross between a female horse and a male donkey that’s known as a mule. This holiday started out as a city-wide holiday in Columbia, Tennessee, and has since become a holiday that’s observed by mule fans all over the U.S.
The History Of National Mule Day
Although National Mule Day might sound like a holiday that was made up on the Internet as a joke, it’s actually a holiday that’s evolved from a holiday that goes back over 181+ years. It was initially started as “Breeder’s Day” in 1840 in Columbia, Tennessee, and was a mule market event that was held on the first Monday every May. Over time, it would become known as Mule Day. Mule Day continues to be celebrated in Tennessee, but it’s always observed on the last Monday in March. Almost a quarter of a million people are attracted to Columbia, Tennessee and it’s a part of a four-day event in the city that includes music, dancing, crafts, and traditional Appalachian foods.
National Mule Day isn’t connected to the celebrations in Tennessee but was inspired by it. It has since become its own holiday and is faithfully observed by mule fans all over the U.S on October 26th. This date was chosen probably because this is around the date when King of Spain Charles III gave two Spanish Jack donkeys to U.S President George Washington in 1785.
Fun Facts About Mule
Have you ever wanted to know more about mules but were afraid to ask? If so, then please take a moment to read some of the following facts about mules. Facts that we gathered together so that everyone can expand their mule knowledge. Let’s take a look at them.
- A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse.
- George Washington used the Spanish Jack donkey he received from King Charles III to create the American Jackstock Mule breed.
- George Washington has been called the Father Of The American Mule.
- Donkeys have 62 chromosomes, mules have 63 and horses have 64 chromosomes.
- Mules are 99.9% sterile.
- A male mule is called a john, and a female mule is called a molly.
- An alternate name for a male mule is a horse mule, and the alternate name for a female mule is a mare.
- Mules were used for military missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Draft mules are a cross between horse mars and mammoth jack donkeys.
- Mules come in all sizes. The smallest mules are miniature and the largest are draft mules.
- Francis The Talking Mule was a 1950s mule character that starred in seven film comedies.
Observing National Mule Day
National Mule Day is usually observed by taking the time to learn more about mules, or even by visiting a local zoo or farm. You can also use the hashtag #NationalMuleDay to spread the word about this holiday on your social media accounts.
When is National Mule Day? |
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| This year (2023) | October 26 (Thursday) |
| Next year (2024) | October 26 (Saturday) |
| Last year (2022) | October 26 (Wednesday) |