Debunking Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Awareness Obscure
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every March 11
Holiday emoji:: 💡

Debunking Day arrives every March 11, urging us to question assumptions and seek verifiable truths. This annual observance, championed by originator Rob Brezsny, helps cut through the noise of misinformation. Take time to fact-check a claim, explore a new perspective, and share reliable sources with others.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected Debunking Day Deals

While Debunking Day isn’t typically associated with commercial deals, it’s a prime opportunity for educational institutions, media literacy organizations, and fact-checking initiatives to highlight their work. Look for organizations like the Poynter Institute, Snopes, and FactCheck.org to offer free resources, webinars, or special content promoting critical thinking skills. Universities might host public lectures or workshops on media literacy. We expect a focus on sharing verified information and supporting the work of journalists and researchers dedicated to truth. We will update this page with any confirmed awareness campaigns or free educational offerings as March 11 approaches.

Platform Guide for Debunking Day

X/Twitter

Tag @NatlToday and use #DebunkingDay. Share quick fact-checks or common myths you’re debunking in real-time.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #DebunkingDay. Host a live Q&A about media literacy or share resources for identifying misinformation.

YouTube

Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Create short, engaging videos that explain complex topics or break down common misconceptions.

Debunking Day Hero

Rob Brezsny

Rob Brezsny is an American astrologer, author, and musician, widely known for his syndicated column 'Free Will Astrology.' As the originator of Debunking Day, Brezsny champions curiosity and critical thinking, aiming to 'save people from the genocide of imagination.' His work encourages individuals to question assumptions, challenge conventional narratives, and actively seek out deeper truths in a world often saturated with simplistic or misleading information.

History of Debunking Day

Have you ever heard a story or news and just thought, “who comes up with these things?” Well, so have we, which is why we’ve never been happier that Debunking Day exists to get rid of insubstantial myths. We live in an information-based world where thousands of new facts surface daily. It’s no surprise that the truth often goes missing when some of these facts are passed from person to person.

Debunkers exist to challenge false information and provide more clarity to the world. A debunker is a person who discredits false or suspicious claims. These claims are sometimes controversial, such as U.F.O. sightings and conspiracy theories, or can be seemingly smaller, like “sea salt is healthier than table salt.” Whatever the case may be, debunkers help us expose and put a stop to the spread of false information.

One of such debunkers is the creator of this holiday Rob Brezsny. Brezsny is an astrologer, author, musician, and part-time debunker. He writes a weekly horoscope column called “Free Will Astrology” that has been published since 1980. From the ‘70s to the ‘90s, he was a singer and songwriter for several rock bands within the Santa Cruz area of California, and eventually, America as a whole. He is also the founder of Beauty and Truth Lab, the author of several books and a memoir, the officiant of hundreds of weddings at the 2001 Burning Man, and he even ran for city council in Santa Cruz.

Debunking Day timeline

44 B.C.

The First Debunker

Roman philosopher Cicero, probably the very first debunker, challenges the efficacy of divination.

1923

The Word Appears

The word ‘debunk’ appears in a novel for the first time.

1980

Real Astrology

“Free Will Astrology” is published by Rob Brezsny as “Real Astrology.”

2005

A Day for Debunking

Rob Brezsny creates Debunking Day.

Debunking Day FAQs

When is Debunking Day?

In 2027, Debunking Day is observed on a Thursday, March 11. This day encourages everyone to question assumptions and seek verifiable truths in their daily lives.

How prevalent is misinformation online?

The digital landscape continues to grapple with the rapid dissemination of misinformation, with reports indicating that a substantial portion of online content can be misleading. This underscores the importance of media literacy and fact-checking efforts.

Who celebrates Debunking Day?

This day is observed by a growing community of truth-seekers, from students learning to evaluate sources to seasoned researchers. It’s a call to action for everyone to contribute to a more informed public discourse.

What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation?

While both terms describe untrue information, the key distinction lies in intent. Misinformation can be shared innocently, but disinformation is always malicious, designed to manipulate public opinion or sow confusion.

Debunking Day Activities

Debunk some false information
Has there been any information, news, myths, or false claims that have particularly irritated you? Take the time out today to publicly debunk some of them. Let your close friends or family know, or make your opinions just as public as the false information by putting it out on your socials or blog sites.
Look up some debunked facts
Another great way to spend the day is by clarifying some facts for yourself. If there are certain things you’ve been contemplating the truth of, today is the perfect opportunity to look them up and find the facts. You will probably also come across other crazy myths and stories that have been debunked by other people.
Discourage the spread of false stories
For this activity, you can start with your family and close friends. Discouraging the spread of information you are sure is false goes a long way to making sure nothing but the truth is out in the open. Take to your socials, and encourage others to do the same.

5 Things We Bet You Didn’t Know Were Myths

Bulls don’t like red
Bulls are red-green colorblind and don’t even see the color of the matadors’ capes, but are triggered by its movement.
Peanuts are nuts
Although they’re usually served together with other nuts, peanuts are legumes and are closely related to peas.
Urine for jellyfish stings
Research has proven this to be a myth and an ineffective method for treating jellyfish stings.
Deserts are always hot
Deserts are determined by the lack of water, so there are polar deserts that are extremely cold.
Albert Einstein failed school
This could not be farther from the truth as Einstein was actually top of his class and mastered complex calculus before he was 15.

Why We Love Debunking Day

It’s all about the truth
Debunking Day is all about spreading the truth. We are all for honesty, and this holiday encourages it on a large scale — facts that are circulated in our daily lives.
It sets the record straight
This special day encourages activities that provide much-needed clarity for a lot of confusing, false facts in our world today. Debunking Day is all about setting the record straight and providing people with the answers they need.
It raises mythbusters
Debunking Day also reminds us to debunk some irritating false facts we’ve heard and almost believed ourselves. It gives us all a headstart in our side careers as MythBusters!