Sadie Hawkins Day

February 29, 2024, at home

PICTURE: Sadie Hawkins chases Li'l Abner Yokum.

Here we are on that day that comes once every four years: Sadie Hawkins Day !!! It is sometimes celebrated on November 13 or the first Saturday in November. The day is a bit antiquated, but it is still in use.

On this day, women are permitted to propose marriage to men. Also, all over the United States, there are Sadie Hawkins Day dances, when women ask men for dates.

It is named after a fictional character named Sadie Hawkins, whom cartoonist Al Capp created in his famous comic strip “Li’l Abner" (1934-1977).

The origins of Sadie Hawkins Day can be traced back to the comic strip storyline published in 1937. In the story, Sadie Hawkins is a young woman who lives in the fictional town of Dogpatch. She was portrayed as very shy and introverted, making it difficult to find a romantic partner.

In an effort to help Sadie find a husband, her father, Hekzebiah Hawkins, organized a foot race. The race was open to all the eligible bachelors in town, and Sadie would chase after them. If Sadie caught a bachelor, he would be obligated to marry her.

Today is also Bachelor's Day, sometimes known as Ladies' Privilege. It is an Irish tradition by which women are allowed to propose to men on Leap Day (February 29) based on a legend of Saint Bridget and Saint Patrick. It once had legal basis in Scotland and England.