National Polar Bear Day

Adorable polar bear cub playing in a snowy wonderland, with a friendly park ranger nearby, surrounded by icy scenery.. — National polar bear day illustration

Did you know that there is a whole day dedicated to celebrating the charismatic charisma of the cool, cuddly, yet considerably colossal creature named the Polar Bear? Yes, folks, love them or fear them, National Polar Bear Day, focused on raising awareness about the conservation of this magnificent mammal, commands a notable chunk of our digital chatter every year.

When is Polar Bear Day?

It's national polar bear day on the 28th February.

Welcome to the Chilliest Day of the Year

Err no, we're not talking about the weather, although that might be true considering National Polar Bear Day lands on February 27th, a time when cool temperatures cling to most of the northern hemisphere. This day, which began to surface on the internet around the year 2004, has since bounded forward in digital popularity like a polar bear across drifting ice.

Paws-ing for a Cause

A considerable chunk of the online chatter about National Polar Bear Day stirs up discussions on climate change and its impact on the polar bear's natural habitat. The day serves as an opportunity to educate, inform and engage people about the challenges these beautiful beasts face due to global warming and the consequent shrinking of their Arctic home.

And the Bear says Roar!

The peak of this iceberg, however, lands firmly on 28th February 2020. With a whopping 7930 mentions detected online on this day, we can safely say that the love for our furry friends, and the crucial conversation around their survival, was louder than a polar bear's roar!

A Day to Remember and Share

So, regardless of where you live, come February 27th, join the digital celebration of the world's largest land predator. Share a polar bear picture, engage in an environmental discussion, or just indulge your inner Antarctic adventurer with a juicy polar bear documentary. After all, we owe it to these natural wonders to ensure their icy habitats don't melt away into just internet history.

History behind the term 'Polar Bear'

1735

Discovery of the species

In 1735, the term 'polar bear' first gained prominence as naturalist Carolus Linnaeus officially described and named the species as Ursus maritimus, meaning 'maritime bear'. Linnaeus observed and documented these magnificent creatures during his expedition to the Arctic.

1784

The 'White Bear'

The term 'polar bear' gained popular recognition when British explorer Sir William Edward Parry led an Arctic expedition. Parry is credited with coining the alternative name 'white bear' due to the species' striking white fur. This term resonated with the public and began to be used interchangeably with 'polar bear'.

1884

First recorded use of 'polar bear'

In 1884, the term 'polar bear' appeared in print for the first time in Henry W. Elliott's book 'Our Arctic Province: Alaska and the Seal Islands'. Elliott extensively studied these bears in their natural habitat and offered captivating insights into their behavior and biology.

1911

Consolidating the term

The term 'polar bear' became firmly established in the scientific community with its inclusion in the fourth edition of the Official Checklist of North American Birds published by the American Ornithologists' Union in 1911. This comprehensive checklist solidified the common usage of the term.

1973

Protected status

The term 'polar bear' took on additional significance in 1973 with the establishment of the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears by the five Arctic nations (Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia, and the United States). This international treaty aimed to protect and manage the polar bear population and their fragile Arctic habitat.

2008

Polar bear as a symbol

By the 21st century, the term 'polar bear' had evolved into a powerful symbol, representing the devastating effects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems. Due to their reliance on sea ice for hunting and survival, polar bears became ambassadors for raising awareness about the impacts of global warming.

Did you know?

Did you know? Polar bears aren't really white! Their fur is translucent, and it only appears white because it reflects visible light. Talk about a cool optical illusion!