Pen Pal Day – June 1

Pen Pal Day 2023: “Reviving the Art of Letter Writing.”

People around the world celebrate Pen Pal Day on June 1 with great excitement. The rich tradition of making pen pals continues even today despite social media. People love writing and reading letters from friends. Being a Pen Pal is an excellent way to learn about people from different countries and cultures, and/or of different ages, as in the Winchester Intergenerational Program.  Through the exchange of letters, we gain unique insights into others’ lives, cultures, and perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding.

HISTORY OF PEN PAL DAY

The trend of making pen pals itself started during the 1930s. Many pen pal companies back in the day charged a fee for their services. They would assist people in finding a suitable pen friend according to their likes, dislikes, and personality. During the 1950s, newspapers and magazines started columns dedicated to pen friends. People looking for a pen pal would either have their brief details published or find someone who listed similar interests.

PEN PAL DAY TIMELINE

1860s - Modern Postal Services are introduced

              People start sending and receiving letters through modern postal services.

1931 - ‘Pen Pal’ Enters the Oxford Dictionary

             The term ‘pen pal’ gets a place in the Oxford English Dictionary.

1936 - A society named Student Letter Exchange was formed to help people find suitable pen pals. 

1965 - Pen Pal Service Goes Automatic

            The Parker Pen pavilion offers an automated pen pal matching service.

1997 - A Memoir of Pen Friends is published

            Geraldine Brooks' memoir showcases her journey of meeting childhood pen friends in 

            Foreign Correspondence:  A Pen Pal’s Journey from Down Under to All Over

Quotes to Inspire Your Pen Pal Day Celebrations: (attributions unknown)

• “In a world of emails and texts, a handwritten letter is a rare gem.” 

• “Letters are the pause between our words.” 

• “A handwritten letter is a timeless gift that captures moments and emotions forever.” 

• “The best kind of conversation starts with a blank page and a pen.” 

• “Ink from the pen touches the soul, words from the heart heal the spirit.” 

Adapted from the following websites:   https://www.allworldday.com/pen-pal-day/ and https://nationaltoday.com/pen-pal-day/