Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways for people to communicate with one another. It’s something that can be used by leaders to influence public opinion, by teachers to teach, and by storytellers to inspire. It’s also something that humanity has been using since the dawn of time, and the ability to tell a story is a trait that all humans share with one another. That’s probably why it’s a good idea for people to take some time out of their day on April 27th to celebrate National Tell A Story Day.

The History of National Tell A Story Day

National Tell A Story Day is a holiday that was first introduced to the public in 2009. It was created by an entrepreneur named George Rafeedie, founder of Tell Your Story Communications—a marketing agency that uses storytelling to help make organizations successful.

Facts About Storytelling

Storytelling is a fascinating thing that all humans can do, yet few people realize just how powerful it can be. That’s why we’ve decided to list some of the amazing facts about storytelling that we discovered during our research of this holiday and storytelling in general.

Good Stories Increase Empathy

Researchers in the United Kingdom have discovered that the brains of people who listen to character-driven stories release more oxytocin than normal. Since this chemical is associated with empathy and love, this means that people who listen to good stories regularly experience more empathy than those who don’t.

Half of Hollywood Movies Follow The Hero’s Journey

Although Hollywood movies might come in a variety of different genres, from comedies to science fiction and horror, about half of them still follow the same narrative arc. Most of these stories follow a narrative arc known as the Hero’s Journey. While that might make you think that this means Hollywood movies aren’t creative, people should realize that the Hero’s Journey as a narrative device has been used as long as there have been people telling stories.

People Who Read Fiction Are More Likely To Be Better People

Once again, this is tied to the release of oxytocin in the brain. When a person reads fiction, they’re better able to empathize with the characters due to the release of oxytocin. However, this empathy doesn’t just extend to the fictional characters but can also be transferred to the readers’ attitudes toward real people.

Observing National Tell A Story Day

This holiday can be a great way for people to seize the power of storytelling and use it in their lives. You can read a story to your children, have a storytelling contest with friends and family, or even sit down and read a book you’ve been wanting to read to yourself. And while you’re celebrating this holiday, be sure to use the hashtag #NationalTellAStoryDay to spread the word about this holiday far and wide.