Celebrate National Science Fiction Day Every January 2

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We celebrate National Science Fiction Day on the official birthday of the prolific science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. Born in Petrovichi, Russia, Asimov moved to the United States with his parents as a toddler.

He wrote nearly 500 books, not all science fiction. But he’s best know for science fiction works like the Foundation trilogy and I, Robot, among others.

Although National Science Fiction Day is not an official national holiday, National Robotics Week, recognizing Asimov’s contribution to science, was made official by the 11th Congress in 2010. (Asimov Online)

Of course, it’s not an official holiday anywhere (that we’re aware of), and it’s not even clear who started it, but if you’re a science fiction fan, you won’t let anything that trivial stop you from celebrating!

Some major companies do recognize it (not necessarily with a day off), though. For example, Scholastic Corp has a page dedicated to National Science Fiction Day books . It hasn’t been updated since 2007, as of this writing. But it does include a number of the best classics, like The Time Machine, The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451.

Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficial holiday

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How to Celebrate

 Individuals: Gorge on Science Fiction

Seems simple enough: Spend the day reading your favorite science fiction book, or try something new, by an author you’ve never read. Maybe The Martian, by Andy Weir or Lock In by John Scalzi.

Or do a science fiction movie marathon. Depending on the style you prefer, consider Escape From New York, War of the Worlds, The Fountain or Inception. Of course movie series, like Star Trek or Planet of the Apes make for a great themed day.

Science fiction shows include, of course, Doctor Who, all the Star Treks and Battlestar Galactica.

Consider celebrating predictions from older books and movies that have not come true, like Jack London’s Scarlett Death that we got through 2013 without encountering.

Or maybe you’d prefer to lament the things that we don’t yet have, like flying cars.

Then again, you could celebrate real scientific breakthroughs that would only have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. The Mars rover Curiosity, for example, could be just the first step in getting people to the red planet. And James Cameron’s trip to the bottom of the Mariana Trench would once have seemed just as impossible as Jules Vern’s Journey to the Center of the Earth. (Although Cameron is not actually the first human to visit the spot, his was the first solo trip).

Companies: Engage Customers and Employees

Bookstores can create a display (or special webpage) devoted to science fiction. Especially Asimov, of course! But there are plenty of other excellent science fiction authors, both classics and contemporary.

Libraries can celebrate with similar displays.

Depending on company culture, consider letting employees celebrate the day with a themed lunch or decorations in workspaces.

However you choose to celebrate, Klaatu barada nikto, open the pod bay doors, and live long and prosper.

 

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