National Dollar Day

A group of people smiling while holding a stack of dollar bills, wearing casual clothes, city street background.. — National dollar day illustration

Dig deeper into those pockets folks, and let's get ready to jingle some coinage because it's National Dollar Day! On this fine day, we're paying homage to that green note which holds the power to make us gleeful or glum. Notably popular on the internet, this day slipped into the limelight on August 8, 2016, when it was observed by thousands of thrift shoppers and financial enthusiasts.

When is Dollar Day?

It's national dollar day on the 8th August.

A Penny, Nickel and Dime for your Time

National Dollar Day isn't just about celebrating that flashing piece of paper, it's an opportunity for us to appreciate the financial security or buying penchant it allows us. Additionally, it's a golden chance to hike across the trail of the spending habits, track down where our money goes or explore the delightful hobbies of coin collecting.

On the Internet Highways

The first major mention of National Dollar Day we could sniff out occurred on August 8, 2016, when internet users came together to share a toast to their pocket companions. Posting pictures of their oldest dollars, the wildest things they've purchased with a dollar, or just sharing fun facts about the US currency, the web was thick with activity, clocking up 2,497 mentions! It was a grand virtual party filled with musing about our journey with the buck, laughable shopping stories, and friendly debates on spending habits.

More than Paper and Metal

Whilst you may be huddled under a blanket of dollars, don't forget that this day is also a salute to personal finance. It's the perfect time to brush up on saving hacks, learn more about managing your bucks or to simply appreciate how far that dollar stretches. And hey, why not add a dab of philanthropy and donate those dollars to the less fortunate? You might turn out to be the secret Santa some folks have been waiting for.

History behind the term 'Dollar'

1488

The Birth of the Thaler

The term 'dollar' originated from the word 'thaler,' which was first minted in 1486 in the Kingdom of Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. The thaler was a large silver coin that quickly gained popularity across Europe due to its consistent silver content and trusted weight. As its fame spread, many regions started producing their own version of the thaler, leading to variations in size, design, and name.

1519

The Joachimsthaler

In 1519, the Kingdom of Bohemia established the town of Joachimsthal, which became a significant silver mining center. To commemorate this, the thalers minted in Joachimsthal were called 'Joachimsthalers.' Due to their widespread circulation and consistent quality, Joachimsthalers gained widespread acceptance and became commonly referred to as 'talers' in various countries.

1652

The Dutch Lion Dollar

During the 17th century, the Dutch Republic minted a silver coin featuring a rampant lion on one side and a knight holding a shield on the other. This coin became known as the 'Leeuwendaalder' or 'lion dollar.' Due to their global trading influence, Dutch merchants extensively used these coins for international transactions, further contributing to the spread of the term 'dollar' in various regions.

1785

The United States Dollar

Upon gaining independence, the United States established its currency and monetary system. In 1785, the U.S. Congress adopted the 'dollar' as the official currency unit. The term was chosen based on the wide recognition and usage of the Spanish Milled Dollar, also known as the 'Spanish dollar' or 'piece of eight,' which circulated extensively in America at the time.

1792

The Coinage Act of 1792

To standardize the American currency system, the Coinage Act of 1792 established the monetary system of the United States. The Act defined the dollar as the basic unit and introduced decimal coinage, with the dollar divided into 100 smaller units called cents. This laid the foundation for the U.S. dollar to become one of the most recognized and influential currencies in the world.

Did you know?

Did you know that the first U.S. dollar bill wasn't printed until 1862, and it didn't bear the portrait of George Washington, but of Salmon P. Chase, the then Secretary of the Treasury?