Guinness World Records Day is celebrated in November each year, on November 16th this year. The “Guinness World Records” or G.W.R. is a book that contains records set from all over the world. It is a resource for checking facts and finding the world’s best records. The book is published in over 100 Countries and 23 languages.
International Guinness World was first celebrated on November 19, 2004, and the “Guinness Book of World Records” became the best-selling book of all time. Since then, International Guinness World has been celebrated annually in November to honor all the world records set so far and encourage people to continue breaking records.
On November 10th, 1951, the managing director of the Guinness Breweries, Sir Hugh Beaver, became curious about the fastest game Bird in Europe at a shooting party in Ireland. He was unsure if it was the golden plover or the red Grouse.
After a few rounds of arguments, he discovered that there was no single book he could reference to confirm this fact. He also realized that there needed to be a book that could be used as a fact check for records achieved throughout the world during arguments like his (usually started in Bars).
This curiosity captured the interest of another employee at Guinness Breweries called Christopher Chataway, who then recommended two of his friends, Norris and Ross McWhirter, who had started a fact-finding agency in London. In August 1954, Norris and Ross McWhirter were commissioned to compile The Guinness Book of Records.
The Guinness Book of Records office was established in London, and on August 27, 1955, the first edition of 198 pages was bound and became one of the best-sellers in Britain by Christmas. In 1956, the book was launched in the United States and sold over 70,000 copies.
The G.W.R. quickly became the international authority on record-keeping all the world’s monumental achievements and unknown facts. The G.W.R. became so popular that in 1976, a Guinness Book of World Records Museum was opened in the Empire State Building in the United States to showcase the many brilliant records.
Guinness World Records Day Activities
- Try finding something you’re amazing at and challenge yourself to set a new world record! All it takes is motivation and practice.
- Celebrate International Guinness World by going online and reading about the various records held by people. The internet has all the information you need, from the most bizarre records to the very popular ones.
- If you think your library seems a little empty, order the Guinness Book of World Records right away. It will be a brilliant read to pass the time.
Facts About Guinness World Records
- The “Guinness Book of World Records” is the third best-selling book worldwide after the Bible and the Koran.
- Did you know there is a video game comprising 36 mini-games based on various Guinness World Records which was released in 2008.
- The first G.W.R.-themed show was presented by Roy Castle and the McWhirters, the first series of the BBC show “Record Breakers” was filmed in 1972.
- The Guinness Game of World Records launched by Toys U.K. in 1975 became the first licensed product of G.W.R.
- The 1987 edition of the “Guinness Book of World Records” reached more than 3.2 billion people due to being published in over 31 languages.
Why People Love Guinness World Records Day
Guinness World Records Day reminds us always to keep going beyond our comfort zones and test our abilities. Who knows how much we are capable of?
Guinness World Records Day is celebrated to honor the amazing feats of those who challenged themselves. These records are testimony to the ever-growing magnitude of human ability.
The G.W.R. deserves a place on our reading list because it helps us know about the world and the book is an essential general knowledge resource.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
