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March31–April 2

American Crossword Puzzles Week – March 31-April 2, 2024

This year, the American Crossword Puzzle Week will be celebrated from March 31 to April 2. A crossword puzzle is a word game where we have to find words from the clues provided. Words are on a square or rectangular grid, and the resulting words or phrases have to make sense. Crossword puzzles are really old. They have been played competitively all over the world. American Crossword Puzzle is a tournament where people from all over the world come to compete for first place and be the national champion in crossword puzzles. Let us have some fun and be a part of this cool competition.

History of American Crossword Puzzles Week

We have been playing with words for a few thousand years. Understanding words requires some brain function. We may not realize it in our day-to-day lives since words and languages are a huge part of our modern lives. The history of language is very old. But the English language is relatively new. English evolved from the European languages around the fifth century. It took inspiration from the plethora of languages available at the time and simplified them.

Crossword puzzles are easily one of the most popular word games in the world. It only took a few centuries from the development of the English language to form this new game. It was during the 19th Century that the first and primitive form of the crossword puzzle emerged in England. The simplicity and elegance of the game helped it gain popularity. The game was initially known as “Word-cross.” The new name is a result of a typo error when it was first published in the New York World.

Arthur Wynne is usually credited with the discovery of the game. But the earliest form of the game did not have black squares. They were also played on a diamond-shaped grid. The game has received massive popularity. The rules have small differences in both the U.S. and the U.K. The British puzzle is generally considered more difficult.

American Crossword Puzzles Week timeline

1800 to 1900
The First Crossword Puzzles

The puzzles start to appear throughout Europe.

1913
The First Known Crossword Puzzle

Journalist Arthur Wynne from Liverpool releases the first published crossword puzzle.

1922
The First Appearance in a British Publication

Crossword puzzle appears in “Pearson’s Magazine,” a British magazine.

1930
The First “Times” Crossword

The first appearance of crossword puzzles in “Times” magazine.

American Crossword Puzzles Week FAQs

How do crossword puzzles work?

Crossword puzzles usually contain black or white shaded squares in a square or rectangle grid. The purpose of the game is to fill all the squares with letters forming words or phrases by solving the clues provided with the puzzle.

Which day of the week crossword is hardest?

Saturdays offer the most difficult puzzles with the hardest clues.

What is the most popular crossword puzzle?

The “New York Times” crossword puzzle.

American Crossword Puzzles Week Activities

  1. Solve crossword puzzles

    Solving a crossword puzzle can help you concentrate more. Use a timer and create and find your personal best at solving crossword puzzles.

  2. Create a crossword puzzle

    Create the most challenging crossword puzzle. Try to include archaic words to make it challenging.

  3. Organize a local crossword championship

    Organize a local crossword championship in your locality or within your friend circle. Use the crossword puzzle you made in the championship.

5 Facts About Crossword Puzzles

  1. They are brain boosters

    Crossword puzzles can help boost brain health.

  2. The lonely publisher

    The “New York World” is the only publication printing crossword puzzles between 1913 —1923.

  3. The skilled crossword person

    “Cruciverbalist” is the word for a person interested in or skilled in crosswords.

  4. The diamond-shaped puzzle

    The first crossword puzzle was diamond-shaped.

  5. The longest puzzle

    Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is the longest word in a puzzle.

Why We Love American Crossword Puzzles Week

  1. Crosswords are healthy

    Crosswords are puzzles that require you to use your brain. It can excite our brains and can help boost brain health.

  2. A good pastime

    We all have those moments when we don’t know what to do. Crosswords are great pastime puzzles to help us pass our time productively.

  3. A friendly and easy competition

    We love nice and calm competitions. Crossword puzzle competitions are a warm and composing sight to watch and enjoy.

American Crossword Puzzles Week dates

YearDateDay
2022April 1Friday
2023March 31Friday
2024April 5Friday
2025March 31Monday
2026March 31Tuesday

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