“Rubber duckie, you’re the one. You make bath time lots of fun. Rubber ducky I’m awfully fond of you!” Sesame Street’s Ernie
Yes, it’s that day we have been waiting for. It’s National Rubber Duckie Day and it is always celebrated on January 13, according to holidayinsights.com. Muppet Ernie of Sesame Street first sang the song in 1970. The Rubber Duckie song reached No. 16 on the Top 100 Chart that year and it is still one of the most favorite childhood songs of all time.
The young and old alike love rubber duckies. It’s a bath time favorite, that puts a smile on everyone’s faces. Toddlers and young children play with rubber duckies in the bathtub. Parents, and grandparents joyfully play along. For adults, it brings back fond memories of childhood bath.
How will you celebrate the day? Simply hop in the tub and bring your rubber duckie along. Don’t forget to sing the Rubber Duckie song as you play. Another popular thing to do, is hold a rubber duckie race.
According to holidayInsights.com, rubber duckies have a very long history. Rubber animal toys, including ducks, first appeared around 1880. Those first toys were made of solid rubber and did not float. Even then, rubber duckies were among the most popular. As World War I and II came, rubber was too expensive, and they were made of plastic or vinyl. Over time, design changes made them hollow so they would float. Then, a small weight was added to the bottom, so it always floated upright. The Rubber Duckie was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame in 2013.
While the beloved rubber duckie has been around for over 100 years and its history is well documented, there is no information readily available about National Rubber Duckie Day. The originator and date this special day was established remains unknown. There is no evidence to suggest that this is truly a “National” day, which requires an act of congress and/or a presidential proclamation.