Do you know what a pirate’s favorite letter of the alphabet is? No, it’s not “R,” it's the sea! On September 19th, we can all channel our inner Blackbeard as we celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day. It may not be your typical holiday, but it's a fun one that the entire family can observe. While you can expect to hear, people saying "Ahoy Matie,” “Avast,” “Aye, Aye Cap’n,” and "Land ho!," Talk Like a Pirate Day is a chance to learn more about the history of pirates and their adventures in the rough seas.
What started as a joke between two friends has become a special day that allows us to break out of our routine and have a little fun. Why not celebrate this day with something special, like a custom challenge coin? Grab some grog, gather your best mates, and let your imagination sail. Let's discuss pirates, their past, and how we can all celebrate this special day.
A Brief History of Pirates
Pirates have existed since ancient times. They threatened ancient trading routes, seized cargo, and launched attacks on coastal towns. The most famous pirates had a fearsome reputation, traveling the open sea looking to plunder anything of value.
The most active time for pirates was between 1650 and 1720. Known as the '"Golden Age of Piracy." Famous pirates including Henry Morgan, William 'Captain' Kidd, 'Calico' Jack Rackham, Bartholomew Roberts, and Blackbeard robbed valuable cargo shipped to Europe. Pirates roamed seas across the world. These thieves and murderers patrolled the Caribbean, attacking vessels in the Caribbean islands and the American mainland.
Women pirates also took to the open seas to ply their trade. Two of the most notorious were Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Bonny was the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy Irish lawyer. She moved to America and married a sailor in 1718 before leaving her husband to start a life as a fierce pirate. She joined “Calico” Jack Rackam and forged a friendship with fellow female pirate Mary Read. Read turned to piracy after buccaneers attacked a ship she was working on. After impressing the crew, she went aboard Rackam’s boat, where she met Bonny. The two led raids against small fishing and trading boats throughout the Caribbean. Other notable female pirates include Grace O’Malley, Rachel Wall, and Cheng I Sao.
Corsairs were pirates of the Mediterranean Sea, using oar-powered boats to rob ships in the area. There were also buccaneers on the islands of Hispaniola and Tortuga during the 17th century. They lived as hunters but became paid buccaneers for the governors of Caribbean islands. The pirates were paid to attack Spanish treasure ships. The buccaneers began attacking any ships that they thought contained valuable cargo.
Piracy still exists today, particularly in the waters between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, the Somali Coast, and the Strait of Malacca and Singapore. These modern pirates use small boats and target modern cargo vessels. Rather than the cargo, the pirates target the crew's personal belongings and the contents of the ship's safe. In some cases, pirates force the crew from the ship and sail it to port to be given a new identity.
The Origins of Talk Like A Pirate Day
Talk Like a Pirate Day is a holiday created in 1995 by John Baur and Mark Summers of Albany, Oregon. The two proclaimed September 19th as a day when the world should talk like a pirate. Known as Ol' Chumbucket and Cap'n Slappy, Baur and Summers got the idea for the holiday as the result of a sports injury. The two friends created the holiday while playing racquetball.
After celebrating with a small group of friends, the two wrote to humor columnist Dave Barry asking him to be the spokesperson for National Talk Like a Pirate Day. Barry agreed and wrote a column about the day. Since then, the holiday has grown in prominence, with Talk Like A Pirate Day events and celebrations taking place across the country.
How To Observe Talk Like A Pirate Day
There are many ways to observe and celebrate Talk Like A Pirate Day. The easiest way is simply to talk like a pirate. Greet friends with your favorite pirate saying, find out more about real pirate history, including real historical pirates from around the world.
You can also celebrate with a pirate-themed event or step up your pirate lingo by checking out a pirate glossary. Talk Like A Pirate Day is a day to have fun and embrace the past. Why not create something memorable for this unforgettable day, such as a custom challenge coin? What better way to celebrate history than with your own booty that honors the day?
Talk Like A Pirate Day is a holiday that everyone can embrace. It encourages folks of all ages to celebrate something silly and lighthearted. Get in character, enjoy the banter, and discover how piracy has affected history.
Talk Like A Pirate Day is a great day to tell your favorite pirate jokes, or a great day to hang out with friends and family. Let's create custom challenge coins that mark the day. Find out more about designing challenge coins and make some of your own.