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National Penguin Day on January 20th is an exciting day to celebrate the adorable and entertaining birds! Penguins have been around since at least 40 million years ago, with some species living as far away as Antarctica. They come in many different shapes and sizes, from Emperor Penguins that can reach nearly four feet tall to smaller species like the Fairy Penguin which grows to just over a foot in length.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1844</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Penguin Fossil Discovery</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first ever penguin fossil was discovered in New Zealand, leading to increased scientific interest in penguins.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1871</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Emperor Penguins Discovered</div><div class='timeline-text'>The breed of Emperor Penguins was discovered and classified by scientists during the British Antarctic Expedition.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1972</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Antarctic Treaty</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Antarctic Treaty came into effect, providing crucial protection for penguins and their habitats.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2002</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Initiation of National Penguin Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Penguin Day was created to raise awareness about the conservation of penguins and their habitats.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"March of the Penguins"</div><div class='timeline-text'>The documentary "March of the Penguins" was released, greatly increasing people's interest in and empathy for penguins.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2021</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Penguin Population Concerns</div><div class='timeline-text'>Reports highlight climate change's severe impacts on penguin populations, emphasizing the importance of National Penguin Day's conservation message.</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'>Watch a documentary</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>There are plenty of documentaries about penguins, from BBC’s “Frozen Planet” to “March of the Penguins” and more. Watching one of these documentaries is a great way to appreciate the lives of these amazing animals.</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'>Support conservation efforts</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Research and support organizations that work to protect penguin populations, such as the World Wildlife Fund, Penguin Conservation Trust, and Antarctic Ocean Alliance. Donate to these groups or volunteer to help out.</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'>Visit a zoo</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Visiting a zoo is a wonderful way to get up close and personal with some amazing wildlife, including penguins. This is a great opportunity for kids to learn more about penguins in an educational and fun way.</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'>Make some crafts</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Making crafts related to penguins can be fun for all ages. Try making paper plate penguins, origami penguins, or even penguin finger puppets.</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'>Go on a virtual tour</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take an online virtual tour of the Antarctic and watch the incredible wildlife that lives there, including penguins! This is a great way to explore the environment without having to leave your home.</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'>Penguins are adorable</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Who doesn't love the sight of these cute and cuddly birds? Penguins have become a classic symbol of cuteness with their tuxedo-like feathers and goofy waddles. Their endearing behavior may be one reason why they're so beloved by people all over the world!</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'>Penguins live in interesting places</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Most species of penguins inhabit some of the coldest and most remote areas on the planet, with colonies as far north as Antarctica and South America. It's a fascinating glimpse into the natural world, showcasing an ecosystem that few get to witness firsthand!</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'>Penguins are remarkable swimmers</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Penguins are excellent swimmers, often swimming up to 100 miles per day in search of food! Many species have adapted specialized flippers for increased agility, enabling them to make sudden turns and dives without much effort. Their incredible feats of aquatic prowess make them an inspirational group of birds to observe!</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'>Penguins cannot fly but they are extraordinary swimmers</h3><p class='facts-content'>Penguins' wings are more like flippers which aid them in their speedy underwater swimming. They can reach speeds of up to 15 to 20 miles per hour.</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'>Penguins are monogamous</h3><p class='facts-content'>Most Penguin species mate for life and return to the same nesting grounds year after year, which is a testament to their loyalty.</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'>Penguins have a gland that removes salt from their bodies</h3><p class='facts-content'>The supraorbital gland, located near their eyes, allows penguins to drink seawater by filtering out the salt, which is then excreted through sneezing or secreting a concentrated saline solution.</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'>Penguins use stones to propose</h3><p class='facts-content'>Male Adélie penguins find the smoothest, shiniest stone they can to present to their chosen female as a proposal. If she accepts the stone, the pair start their family together.</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'>Penguins huddle to withstand the Antarctic cold</h3><p class='facts-content'>In harsh weather, Emperor penguins form large huddles to share warmth and survive the harsh Antarctic winters. The temperature inside these huddles can reach up to 37 degrees Celsius.</p></div></div>
National Penguin Day is celebrated on January 20 every year. In 2024 National Penguin Day will occur on a Saturday.
2023
Jan 20
Friday
2024
Jan 20
Saturday
2025
Jan 20
Monday
2026
Jan 20
Tuesday
2027
Jan 20
Wednesday
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