National High Five Day

National High Five Day History

National High Five Day is dedicated to celebrating a common human interaction – the high five. The observance encourages participants to celebrate victories, big or small, through the act of high fiving each other. It aims not only at celebrating these achievements, but also at promoting positive communication and reinforcing solidarity between people, irrespective of their backgrounds, professions, or ages.

National High Five Day traces its roots back to 2002 in the United States. The day was conceptualised by students at the University of Virginia who gave out high fives as part of a university project. While it originated from our southern neighbours, this day has found resonance with Canadians as well. The act of high fiving is well embedded in the Canadian culture, being prevalent in sports, recreational activities, or as an informal, friendly gesture among Canadians themselves.

In Canada, National High Five Day usually finds a higher profile during sports or public events. Across the country, individuals, teams, or organisations may spotlight the high five on this day through a collective action or through a series of activities planned to honour the day. It's an opportunity for Canadians to cultivate a spirit of camaraderie and positive reinforcement. National High Five Day takes place annually on the third Thursday of April.

Facts about National High Five Day

• The first documented instance of a high five was in 1977 at the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros game. Rookie outfielder Glenn Burke of the Los Angeles Dodgers lifted his arm high above his head and slapped palms with his teammate Dusty Baker to celebrate a milestone home run. Baker’s home run in the 6th inning certified the Dodgers as the first team in history to have four hitters with at least 30 home runs each in a single season.
• According to a study by the Institute of Biological, Environmental, and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University in Wales, fist bumps and high fives greatly reduce the spread of germs compared to handshakes. Germs were spread 20 times less for fist bumps and 10 times less for high fives.
• Toronto Blue Jays, a professional baseball team, often shares posts on social media encouraging fans to high-five each other on this day. And in the past, even Canadian politicians have been spotted giving high-fives on NH5D.
• High Five uses a unique, innovative approach to help children along the path of healthy development. It utilizes evidence-based training, scientifically validated evaluations, and standardized tools.

In the News and Trending in Canada for National High Five Day

Top things to do in Canada for National High Five Day

• Learn about the origins of the high five. LA Dodgers rookie outfielder Glenn Burke was documented in 1977 raising his arm high above his head to slap palms with Dustry Baker after he hit a homerun.
• Watch a collection of videos celebrating high five day. The high five is versatile in that it can be used during funny moments or momentous ones.
• Attend a Sports Event: Many sports involve high-fives as a part of their culture. You can arrange a community sports game such as basketball or volleyball where people can share high-fives.
• Promote the day through social media by giving out Virtual High Fives: In the current digital age and considering the pandemic situation, people can exchange high fives virtually over a video call.