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by **Paul** Sun 12 Nov 2023, 6:51 am

National Happy Hour Day
Did you know happy hours go all the way back to World War 1?

If you’re sitting at your favorite watering hole with a group of buddies chowing down on free or reduced price buffalo wings, chips and salsa, fries and maybe some coconut shrimp with cocktails or beer between 5-7pm on November 12, then you’re right on time for National Happy Hour Day! Life would be dull without it, so, enjoy!

HISTORY OF NATIONAL HAPPY HOUR DAY

Surprisingly, something that most of us associate with fun after work in mostly urban settings, actually got its start with the U.S. Navy as far back as 1914. (However, in 1900 “Happy Hour” social clubs did exist.)
Happy Hours, as we know them today, got started during the early days of the Mexican-American war. During the occupation of Veracruz Harbor, American sailors aboard the U.S.S. Arkansas were the subject of desperate reporters looking to fill out mundane stories after earlier fighting had used up all the exciting copy. Notices, as in this lead in the “Washington Times” of May 1, 1914, “ ‘The Happy Hour’ Aboard Ship Makes U.S. Tars (short for “tar heels”, a slang for sailors from North Carolina) Contented.” were common. After a busy day, happy hours boosted morale with boxing matches, dancing and drinking. (Although liquor was expressly banned from naval vessels starting in 1899, sailors may have sneaked booze onboard.)
By the end of WWII, happy hours were a “thing.” The relaxing practice had spread throughout U.S. naval fleets. But on April 25, 1959, a “Saturday Evening Post” article popularized, “happy hour” for everybody outside the Navy. According to “Bustle,” an article entitled, “The Men Who Chase Missiles” described the hazards for people who “ lived and worked on remote island outposts tracking Cape Canaveral’s missile launches… “Except for those who spend too much during “happy hour” at the bar — and there are few of these — the money mounts up fast.”
As much as we love National Happy Hour Day (and we really do!), the day itself remains uncredited. This may be one of those internet-generated days that makes life so much fun. So, at the end of this day, let’s meet at the bar after work, say, around 6?

November 12.

NATIONAL HAPPY HOUR DAY ACTIVITIES

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Invite your friends over for drinks

Technically, you can't reap the benefits of half-off drinks if you're throwing your own shindig but it's cheaper to drink at home, so you still win. Plus, you don't have to worry about how you're getting home. Granted, the atmosphere might not be as "cool" as your favorite watering hole but you can spice things up by trying out new recipes and making your go-to exactly how you like it.

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Go grubbin’

Happy hour isn’t just about drinking. Many bars and restaurants offer specials on food, too. If you're the designated driver (or if you just enjoy food more than alcohol,) Happy Hour really is a sweet deal!

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Go drinking where everybody knows your name

Don’t expect the patrons to uniformly call out your name when you enter your favorite bar just as they did for Norm in “Cheers,” but on National Happy Hour Day, there might be extra special discounts for bar or restaurant “regulars.” You can’t deny a sense of camaraderie when you throw darts or play bar games with folks who know you. But don’t limit yourself to the old standby, either. Be adventurous and venture out to a spot you've been itching to try or make a mini pub crawl out of the evening.

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TAKE THE NATIONAL HAPPY HOUR DAY QUIZ

National Today Sunday November 12 2023 *National Happy Hour Day* Bjxfqkxbn6mpgdrc4pvl

QUIZ: Which Cocktail Are You?
Take our exclusive National Happy Hour Day quiz to find out which cocktail you are, and what it says about your personality!

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL HAPPY HOUR DAY

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We get to hang with our coworkers

We're not saying we need booze to get along with our coworkers, but it doesn't hurt, either. After a hard day at the office, let your hair down with the people who helped you get through it. We might all have responsibilities outside the office, but, sometimes, all you really need is one good Happy Hour to keep you sane (and friendly!)

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We get to try out a new place — at a discount

We like adventure as much as the next person but some prospects are riskier than others. You know how a friend recommends a place you have to check out? Well, if it's the friend who likes everything (and we all have one), you could be in trouble. Fortunately, happy hour gives us a chance to check out a new spot, but at a discount, which makes the snacks delicious and the cocktails even better!

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We don't feel guilty paying for a ride home

Reliable public transportation isn't a perk that everyone gets to enjoy and calling a cab isn’t always budget-friendly. But, with all the money you save by not paying full price at happy hour, there’s lots of wiggle room for all your cab needs. It’s the one time you don’t have to feel guilty about spending extra on the ride home.

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