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Get your pencils ready and join the celebration of National Crossword Puzzle Day on December 21! This special day commemorates the very first crossword puzzle that was published in 1913, a feat which marked an incredible milestone in word game history. Since then, these puzzles have been enjoyed by people all over the world who love to solve brain teasers or just enjoy a good challenge.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1913</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Crossword Puzzle</div><div class='timeline-text'>British journalist Arthur Wynne invented crossword puzzles. The first one was published in the New York World newspaper on December 21.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1924</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Simon & Schuster Publishes</div><div class='timeline-text'>Simon & Schuster publishes the first book of crossword puzzles, kicking off its widespread popularity in print media.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1942</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Crossword Mania Matures</div><div class='timeline-text'>During World War II, crossword puzzles gained ground as a popular pastime for soldiers and civilians alike.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1944</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>D-Day Crossword Coincidence</div><div class='timeline-text'>A strange coincidence occurred when key code words for the D-Day invasion appeared in The Daily Telegraph crossword.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1968</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First American Crossword Championship</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first American Crossword Puzzle Tournament was held, further consolidating the status of crossword puzzles as a beloved leisure activity.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Crosswords Go Digital</div><div class='timeline-text'>Computer and mobile applications started to offer digital crossword puzzles, making this brain teaser accessible to a wider, tech-savvy audience.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create your own crossword puzzle</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Design a unique crossword puzzle based around a theme of your choice and share it with family and friends. All you need is pencil, paper, and a few words to get started.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Solve a crossword puzzle online</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>In honor of National Crossword Puzzle Day, take on one of the many challenging puzzles available online. You can find puzzles in varying difficulty levels depending on your level of expertise.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Gather with family and friends to solve crosswords together</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite family, friends, and colleagues over for a night of crosswords. Assign each person a different puzzle and let the fun begin!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a local bookstore</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Head over to your local bookstore and pick up some new crossword puzzle books or magazines. There are plenty of options from beginner to advanced difficulty levels.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a crossword tournament</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a tournament in celebration of National Crossword Puzzle Day. Invite everyone to compete against each other in timed rounds to determine who's the ultimate puzzler.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Crossword puzzles are fun and challenging</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Crossword puzzles can be as difficult or as easy as you make them. You can find crossword puzzles for all levels of difficulty, from beginner to expert. Whether you're trying to sharpen your brain or just looking for a way to pass the time, crossword puzzles are a great way to exercise your mind and keep entertained!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Crossword puzzles improve problem solving skills</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Crossword puzzles aren't just for entertainment - they can also help improve your problem solving skills. As you work through each clue and solve the puzzle, you'll be honing your critical thinking and analytical abilities. And who knows? You might even learn some new words in the process!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Crossword puzzles are perfect for group activities</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Looking for something fun to do with friends or family? Gather around a crossword puzzle and share the challenge of completing it together! You can take turns working on clues or try to work through it as a group. Either way, it's sure to be an enjoyable activity that will bring everyone closer!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are Crossword Varieties for Different Brain Challenges</h3><p class='facts-content'>Did you know? Apart from traditional crosswords, there are also cryptic, acrostic, diagramless, and arrow word crosswords. Every puzzle allows you to challenge yourself in a different way.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Crossword Puzzles are Used as Educational Tools</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many educators use crosswords as a fun way to engage students in learning. These puzzles help develop vocabulary, spelling, problem-solving skills, and a general knowledge base.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>People with Deep Passion for Crosswords are Called 'Cruciverbalists'</h3><p class='facts-content'>Yes, there's a term for it! Passionate crossword constructors or solvers are often referred to as 'Cruciverbalists' - derived from Latin roots meaning 'cross' and 'word.'</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Largest Crossword Puzzle had 49,000+ Squares</h3><p class='facts-content'>The largest published crossword, according to Guinness World Records, had 49,000 squares with over 91,000 words - A real challenge for crossword lovers!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There is a Certain Etiquette to Filling Out Crossword Puzzles</h3><p class='facts-content'>Filling out crossword puzzles in pen shows confidence, as mistakes can't be erased. Traditionally, all letters should be capitalized, and neatly written within the confines of the square.</p></div></div>
National Crossword Puzzle Day is celebrated on December 21 every year. In 2024 National Crossword Puzzle Day will occur on a Saturday.
2023
Dec 21
Thursday
2024
Dec 21
Saturday
2025
Dec 21
Sunday
2026
Dec 21
Monday
2027
Dec 21
Tuesday
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