Dunce Day
When is Dunce Day? This holiday is always observed on November 8
Dunce Day is today, a November 8 holiday. It celebrates the term “Dunce” and dunce caps. Today marks the death (November 8, 1308) of medieval scholar Duns Scotus of Duns, Scotland. This special day is all about learning and one’s ability to absorb knowledge. So, let’s get right to it and learn about dunce caps and their creator.
Duns Scotus of Duns, Scotland was a medieval scholar. Perceptions of his views ranged from brilliant to less than complimentary. Duns Scotus believed that cone-shaped hats increased learning potential. He believed knowledge would flow from the point of the cap, down, and into the head of the wearer, making that person smarter. About all this accomplished over time, was the perception of a person wearing a dunce cap to be…… a stupid person or a dimwit. Why else would someone wear it!? There was a positive side to the use of dunce caps. It motivated the wearer to learn more, so he could be rid of the cap. Scholar critics of his work derived the term “dunce” from his name and place of birth.
Did You Know? Clodpoll, Dunderhead, and Schnook are two of the very old synonyms for “Dunce”. Of course, today we’d most likely use the word “Dork” or “Conehead”.
Put on a Dork Cap today and get smarter. Have a very smart and educational Dunce Day!!!
How to Celebrate Dunce Day
- Put on a dunce cap and learn something new and exciting.
- Be on the lookout for others who are wearing them.
- Learn something new today.
Today's Quote
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant. ” – – Robert Louis Stevenson
History and Origin of Dunce Day
While we know about the origin of the term and dunce caps. But, we do not know when this special day was first celebrated. Perhaps we’re not really smart about this and a little dim-witted, but wouldn’t you rather celebrate the birth of Duns Scotus? It seems much more cheerful.
This Day in History
In addition to today’s holiday, here are some things that happened on this day:
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt forms the Civil Works Administration to help create jobs for millions of workers unemployed during the Great Depression. (1933)
- The soap opera “The Days of Our Lives” premieres on television. (1965)
- Edmund Halley, astronomer, mathematician, was born on this day in 1656.
More November 8 Holidays
Here is another November 8 holiday we’re sure you will enjoy.
More About Today
Famous November Birthdays – Discover who shares your birth date.
Recipe of the Day: Apple Spiced Cupcakes
Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for Dunce Day or just about any November calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Without a doubt, it’s fun for both the sender and the recipient.
Holiday Insights, where every day in November is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Thus, please join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? Furthermore, in addition to Dunce Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. November holidays are no exception. Consequently., at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.
