The #1 source for news about monkeys and apes

[Josh Greenman <josh.greenman AT gmail.com>]

http://www.monkeyday.com/faq/

What is this thing called Monkey Day?

Monkey Day is an annual celebration of all things simian, a festival
of primates, a chance to scream like a monkey and throw feces at
whomever you choose. Or perhaps just a reason to hang out with your
friends while grunting and picking fleas off each other. (note: for
legal reasons, the publishers of the Monkey Day website in no way
endorse throwing feces in any manner at any time.)

When is Monkey Day?

Annually on December 14th.

Where did Monkey Day come from?

The true origins of Monkey Day are deeply shrouded in mystery. Some
say that the Monkey Day movement began as a tool to further the
awareness of simian species and habitats. Others say that Monkey Day
began as a scientific backlash to all of the religious holidays
permeating the month of December, an evolutionary finger to the
creationist holidays. Still others say that the concept for Monkey Day
was brought on by the drunken debauchery of several young hooligans
with a special affinity for monkeys, spending the first Monkey Day
taunting their simian virtues and screaming obscenities at the local
pub. Whatever the conception, Monkey Day has evolved beyond any simple
beginnings into a greater movement.

Why Monkey Day?

Why not Monkey Day? Besides, monkeys make people smile.

I've noticed apes as well as monkeys appearing all over your monkey
pages, can't you tell the difference between a monkey and an ape?

Although Monkey Day is mainly about monkeys (via wiki: A monkey is any
member of either the New World monkeys or Old World monkeys, two of
the three groupings of simian primates, the third group being the
apes. Because of their similarity to monkeys, apes such as chimpanzees
and gibbons are often called monkeys in informal usage, though they
are not monkeys. Conversely, due to its size the Mandrill is often
thought to be an ape, but it is actually an Old World monkey. Also, a
few monkey species have the word "ape" in their common name. Because
they are not a single coherent group, monkeys do not have any
particular traits that they all share and are not shared with the
remaining group of simians, the apes.), we here at the Monkey Day
website feel it wouldn't be proper to exclude all primates from the
joy of Monkey Day just because they swing on a different branch of the
evolutionary tree. So, yes, occasionally you may see non-monkey
simians invading and celebrating Monkey Day.

How do I celebrate Monkey Day?

Dress in your favorite simian attire, talk like a monkey all day long,
throw a monkey themed party, send some monkey greeting cards, draw a
monkey comic, or perhaps give a monkey themed gift, or maybe even give
to your favorite simian charity. Whatever you find most appropriate
without being arrested, and if you want to share your experience with
the world, please contact us and tell or show us all about it.