Timeline of National Happy Hour Day 2021

National Happy Hour Day timeline

1959

The “Saturday Evening Post” popularizes “Happy Hour”

In the April 25 edition of the “Saturday Evening Post,” an article called, “The Men Who Chase Missiles” makes the term, ‘happy hour’ a popular term for the American masses and a new way to relax after hours is born.

1940s - 1950s

"Happy Hour" specials lure customers to restaurants and bars

With the economy booming after WWII, businesses are anxious to capitalize on the population's newfound wealth. Drink discounts attract customers into restaurants. which leads to higher bills at the end of the night!

1920s

"Happy Hour" meets the matinee

With alcohol outlawed, folks opt to conduct their drinking before dinner rather than after, when the effects of having a cocktail were less conspicuous.

1913

"Happy Hour" Is born

The US Navy begins celebrating "Happy Hour," an evening celebration filled with alcohol, dancing (with and without ladies) and onboard boxing.

Tip: Firstleaf Wine Club coupon codes: Combine with other offers for an even better deal! Cash back is earned on the qualifying purchase total after any discounts and before any fees, taxes, or shipping and handling are applied. Purchases of gift cards are excluded. Rewards earnings not to exceed $50.00.

Firstleaf Wine Club discount codes: Firstleaf Wine Club 5% Cash Back For Online Purchases Sitewide

What is National Happy Hour Day?

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!

National Happy Hour Day History

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?

Note: Copper Cow Coffee coupon codes: Limited Time! Get an Extra 25% Off Orders $75 or More Site-wide. Cannot be combined with any other offers.. Copper Cow Coffee Promo Code: FLASH25 (34 People Used Today)

Copper Cow Coffee coupon codes: Copper Cow Coffee Extra 25% Off Orders $75 Or More Site-wide