National Limerick Day
National Limerick Day on 12 May marks the birthday of Edward Lear, who made the five-line comic poem popular.
- UK (not marked)
- USA
- Ireland (not marked)
- Canada (not marked)
- Australia (not marked)
- New Zealand (not marked)
- UAE and Gulf (not marked)
- International (not marked)
About the day
National Limerick Day is held on 12 May, the birthday of Edward Lear, who was born on 12 May 1812. Its exact origins are unclear, but UPI reports it has been marked since at least 1984.
Lear did not invent the limerick, but his 1846 Book of Nonsense made the form popular. A limerick is a five-line rhyming poem, usually built on absurd humour.
It suits publishers, bookshops, schools, libraries, greeting card makers and brands that use humour in their marketing.
Dates for the next three years
| Year | Date | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Wednesday 12 May 2027 | USA | Same date every year |
| 2028 | Friday 12 May 2028 | USA | Same date every year |
| 2029 | Saturday 12 May 2029 | USA | Same date every year |
Sectors this day suits
Types of business that could link their activity to this day.
- Publishing
- Bookshops
- Education
- Libraries
- Greeting cards
- Marketing and advertising
Questions and answers
When is National Limerick Day 2027?
National Limerick Day 2027 is on Wednesday 12 May 2027. It falls on the same date every year.
Who organises National Limerick Day?
National Limerick Day has no single organiser. Many organisations mark it independently.
Where is National Limerick Day marked?
National Limerick Day is marked in the USA.
Where do these details come from?
We checked these details against one source, including UPI: National Limerick Day honors Edward Lear. They were last checked on 28 October 2026.
Where this information comes from
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