Some are calling it palindrome day while others are opting for the twos day (or “Twosday”) pun but, it seems, everyone is excited about the unusual calendar event taking place on the 22 February 2022 (22.02.2022), when the day’s date can be read the same way forwards or backwards.
This palindrome day is unusual because it’s also an ambigram, meaning that on a calculator it can be read upside down in exactly the same way.
In the UK date-writing format (dd-mm-yyyy), there have only been seven palindrome days so far this century, starting with 10 February 2001 (10.02.2001), while the next is on 3 February 2030 (03.02.2030).
Commenters on social media have been sharing their excitement about the date and the good luck it is rumoured to bring.
One meme doing the rounds captures the mind-blowing confluence of features that make today’s date so distinctive.
Stonehenge humbly pointed out that although this palindrome day is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for most, it’s not the first time the Wiltshire rock circle has experienced the phenomenon.
The University of Oxford pointed out that the last palindrome day of this century will be on a leap day, on 29 February 2092.
Happy #TwosDay!
Today (22-02-2022) is a palindrome day, which is a number or word that can be read the same way forwards and backwards.
We’re looking forward to the last palindrome day of this century as it’s on a leap day, 29 February 2092 (29-02-2092).It’ll be a Friday too!😎 pic.twitter.com/nTelbKTqZa
— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) February 22, 2022
Several commenters were excited to celebrate their 22nd birthday on the same date as twos day.
Another joked about the popularity of palindrome days with wedding venues, given the luck they symbolise, especially in certain cultures.
Happy palindrome day — 22022022. You should enjoy it as the next one will be in 11 years, 1 day. The next date featuring only 2s will be 199 years, 345 days from now. Even then, the wedding venue is probably already fully booked.
— Justin Ong (@JustinOngTODAY) February 21, 2022
Others shared pictures of pairs, couples and twins, in honour of how many twos make up today’s date.
Happy Happy Twosday! This is once in a lifetime moment – 2.22.22.
Seeing double is a fixation in the arts. How Dotart celebrate it? With Thins art!
Here is a famous photo by Diane Arbus, Identical Twins, 1967 & The Grady twins from The Shining!#Twosday #OnceInALifetime pic.twitter.com/qVdTaH3YhW
— .art Domains (@Art_Domains) February 22, 2022
Meanwhile, some retailers are offering customers 22% discounts until midnight in honour of the date.
Happy #Twosday! Once-in-a-lifetime milestone as all numbers line up to create a unique 22.2.22 date (on a Tuesday 😲) that won’t come around for another 200 years
We’re celebrating today by giving you 22% off all our store. Just use code 222 on checkout. Expires tonight 22:22🧙 pic.twitter.com/CKV5WXBcxz— Young Vegans (@YoungVegansLDN) February 22, 2022