When is National Frog Jumping Day?

Saturday May 13th

Both young and old alike enjoy National Frog Jumping Day on May 13th each year.

Mark Twain's first short story, Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog, appeared in 1865. He changed the name and published it as The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County later in life.. The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County had a third title this same tale, The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.

Rosie the Ribeter set the new frog jumping record in 1986, a leap of 21 feet, 5-3/4 inches.

Although fans of Mark Twain or perhaps the Calaveras County Fair may have you believe frog jumping competitions only take place in Calaveras County, that is simply not true. They occur throughout the country and with greater frequency than one might expect. In 1865, frog jumping competitions were held in other states and municipalities, but the activities have continued across borders in the last century, including this one.'s You may even know of one where you live, say in Michigan, Florida, or Idaho.

If for no other reason than Mark Twain's writing of a story about it, the author became well-known and adored for his books, we may have to admit that the Calaveras County Frog Jumping Contest might be the most well-known.