More About National Frog Jumping Day

The history behind National Frog Jumping Day has turned into a tradition that came to life from the idea of a short story. Mark Twain, one of the most famous and celebrated authors in literature, published his first short story named “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” in 1865. This story also goes by “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog” and “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” The premise of the story is about a man named Jim Smiley, a compulsive better. He trains a pet frog he names Dan’l Webster and bets his frog can jump higher than all the other frogs in town. The man who he bets with ends up tricking Smiley and wins the bet. Inspired by this story, Calaveras County in Northern California started hosting a Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee during the third week of May. The first event was held in Copperopolis, California in 1893 but has since made its permanent residence in Angels Camp. The fair spans four days and offers classic fair food, award-winning wines, carnival rides, rodeo, and live music, amongst other things, but their main event is the frog jumping competition. One frog named Rosie the Ribeter has held the jumping record at 21 feet, 5 ¾ inches since 1986. Even though there are other frog jumping competitions throughout different cities in North America, the one at Calaveras is the most popular and well-known because of its relation to Mark Twain’s short story. This day allows people to celebrate the agility of frogs and to embrace literature in a new and exciting way.

Date & Time

May 13, 2024

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