Tarzan Day (also called National Tarzan Day) is observed annually on August 27.
Origin
It marks the debut of the iconic character **Tarzan** in popular culture. On August 27, 1912, the October issue of the pulp magazine *The All-Story* hit newsstands containing the first installment of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ story *Tarzan of the Apes*.
(Note: Some scholars point to a slightly later date around September 10, 1912, for the actual availability of the magazine, but fans and observances widely use August 27.) The complete novel was published in book form in 1914.
Burroughs drew inspiration from myths such as the Roman legend of Romulus and Remus (raised by a she-wolf). The story follows an English aristocrat’s son, John Clayton (Lord Greystoke), who is orphaned in the African jungle and raised by apes, becoming the “Lord of the Jungle.”
Significance
Tarzan quickly became one of the most enduring fictional characters of the 20th century, spawning:
- 24 novels by Burroughs
- Countless films (notably the Johnny Weissmuller series starting in the 1930s)
- Comics, radio shows, TV series, and the 1999 Disney animated film
- A lasting cultural image of the vine-swinging, animal-speaking jungle hero
The character explores themes of nature vs. civilization, heredity vs. environment, and adventure/escapism.
How People Celebrate
Common ways to mark the day include:
- Reading *Tarzan of the Apes* or other books in the series
- Watching classic or modern Tarzan films
- Reading Tarzan comics or comic strips
- Jungle-themed activities, scavenger hunts, or parties (especially popular with kids and homeschoolers)
- Sharing the famous Tarzan yell or dressing in jungle-inspired outfits
It is an informal observance rather than an official public holiday, primarily celebrated by fans of literature, adventure stories, and classic pulp fiction.
