Today Special : National Brother’s Day
May 24 is National Brother’s Day, so call your brother and tell him you love him, even though he’ll say you‘re weird afterwards. When you were younger, you argued over LEGOs or whose turn it was to sit in the front seat. Yet in some strange way, those childhood squabbles served to make you closer over the years.
WHEN IS NATIONAL BROTHER’S DAY 2022?
Your lovable but insufferably annoying brother gets his own day on National Brother’s Day on May 24. You love ’em, you hate ’em; they can often be your nemesis, especially when they poke fun at you in front of your crush. But we know they’ll pull through for you when needed and they love you just as much as you love them (although they may never admit it).
HISTORY OF NATIONAL BROTHER’S DAY
“Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.”– Marc Brown, author and illustrator of children’s books.
The word ‘brother’ stems from the Latin root ‘frater’ and the Proto-Germanic word ‘brothar,’ which itself comes from the Proto-Indo-European root ‘bhrater.’ Regardless of origin, both in words and in blood, our brothers have our backs over and over again. They’re our closest friends and, sometimes, the most annoying people we know. But we love them anyway. Even some of the most famous people in history had brothers to lean on and be annoyed by.
Brother’s Day has been celebrated on May 24 since the year 2005. Although the exact details of the holiday are unknown, it was Alabama-based C. Daniel Rhodes who had first organized the holiday and its proceedings. In some regions, National Brother’s Day is an unofficial holiday. It is not to be confused with National Siblings Day, which takes place in April. You are lucky if you are blessed with having a strong unbreakable bond with your brother. Fortunately, there are other people who can sometimes fill the void of a brother in our lives and serve as one to us, like a cousin, brother-in-law, or a friend. In fact, everyone should have that one brotherly person in their lives who they can count on for some sincere advice or who can get them out of a pickle. For all their quirks and annoyances, a brother is sometimes your best secret keeper and will never expose you or leave you behind. Feel free to go all out on this day with the mushy stuff in expressing your affection for your brother and his importance in your life.
Brotherhood is also very strong among men. Whether it is a blood relation or not, men take their ‘bro code’ VERY seriously. Really, there isn’t much that can ever come between a strong brotherhood in the long term. This theme has inspired countless movies, books, paintings, plays, and TV series like the aptly named “Band of Brothers.” History has many distinguished brother duos and groups. Stories told by the Brothers Grimm are famous to this day, and advancement in flying and aeronautics wouldn’t have been possible without the Wright brothers putting their minds together.
National Brothers Day is mostly observed in the United States, but many other countries around the world also acknowledge the day. Australia, Russia, Asian countries like India, and European countries like France and Germany all celebrate brothers on May 24.
“When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life.” – Antisthenes, Greek philosopher and star pupil of Socrates.
NATIONAL BROTHER’S DAY ACTIVITIES
- Indulge in your favorite bonding ritual Beer? Ballgames? Barbecue? Brunch? : Whatever you guys like to do, today’s the day to do it together. Even if it just means grabbing a bite to eat, take time out to bond with your brother.
- Tell him what he means to you : This doesn’t have to be as touchy-feely as all that, but it ought to be a bit more meaningful than slurring “I love you, man!” after a couple of Jameson shots. Just let him know that you appreciate all he’s done for you, or that you really dig hanging out with him.
- Buy him a little something : Unlike Mother’s Day, when it’s basically de-rigeur to spring for flowers, perfume, or a brunch buffet, there are no guidelines when it comes to buying your brother a treat. How about a funny t-shirt you saw online, a book he’d enjoy, or movie tickets? If he’s a whiskey aficionado, get him that special bottle he wouldn’t buy for himself. Who knows, maybe he’ll share.
5 MOST POWERFUL BROTHER BONDS IN HISTORY
- Henry and William James : Henry James was one of America’s most acclaimed novelists in the late 1800s and early 1900s, penning books such as “The Portrait of a Lady” and “The Turn of the Screw.” His older brother, William James, was a renowned American philosopher and psychologist, and considered by many to be the father of American psychology.
- The Bee Gees : Famous pop group, the Bee Gees, was made up of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. They have sold more than 120 million records worldwide making them one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and were presented the award by Brian Wilson, the frontman of another famous family act, The Beach Boys.
- The Sullivan Brothers : George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert Sullivan enlisted in the US Navy and were serving onboard the USS Juneau during World War II when it sank in a 1942 naval battle. When three uniformed men called on their parents’ house, their father — bracing for the bad news — asked, ‘Which one?’, to which the lieutenant commander replied, ‘I’m sorry. All five.’ Because of them, the U.S. War Department established the Sole Survivor Policy to protect those who lost family members in military service from combat duty.
- Wilbur and Orville Wright : The Wright brothers were a duo of self-taught engineers from Ohio who revolutionized transport when they created the world’s first powered, controlled flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Their 12 seconds flight was a soaring success and propelled them into aeronautical history.
- John, Robert and Ted Kennedy : The Kennedy brothers set a new precedent in politics. John F. Kennedy became president of the United States in 1961, his younger brother Robert was made the attorney general, followed by their youngest brother Ted being elected to a seat in the Senate in Massachusetts a year later.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL BROTHER’S DAY
- Brothers understand you like no one else : There aren’t many people who can communicate volumes with one raised eyebrow or a kick under the dinner table, but brothers can. Over the years, you forged a bond built on long, boring car trips, Mom’s lame puns, and fighting over the last serving of Dad’s famous 4th of July potato salad.
- Brothers have your back : Forget scorned women — hell hath no fury like a protective brother. From schoolyard spats to a family fracas to a barroom brawl, your brother will be there for you. Unless, of course, you’re the one fighting with him. Stay on his good side, though, and you two can take on the world.
- Brothers are in it for a lifetime : Robert Frost famously said, “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in,” and that extends to wherever your brother’s home is. You’ve fought over girls and you’ve gone without speaking and you’ve maybe said some choice words about one another, but at the end of the proverbial day, he ain’t heavy. He’s your brother.
