National Eduardo Day is celebrated on July 21 every year. Eduardo is a Latin name, the Spanish and Portuguese version of the English Edward. Edward comes from the Anglo-Saxon ‘ÉᚪᛞǷᛠᚱᛞ,’ which has several meanings including, ‘wealth,’ ‘prosperity,’ ‘fortune,’ and ‘guardian’ or ‘protector.’ Some famous bearers of the Spanish and Portuguese versions of the name include Eduardo Saverin, the billionaire businessman and co-founder of Facebook, Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra, and Italian-Scottish sculptor Sir Eduardo Paolozzi. Fans of the cartoon “Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends” will also remember Eduardo, the timid and gentle purple giant who was a character in the animated series.
History of National Eduardo Day
Most people didn’t know about Eduardo Luiz Saverin before “The Social Network” (2010) when British actor Andrew Garfield brought the character to life on the big screen. Saverin was born into a wealthy Jewish-Brazilian family in Sao Paulo. He grew up in the affluent suburbs of Rio De Janeiro. Raised by his father, Roberto, a businessman, and his mother, Sandra, a psychologist, Saverin attended the prestigious Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami, Florida. He later joined Harvard University, where he studied Economics, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2006.
It was at Harvard that Saverin met Mark Zuckerberg, and the two collaborated on a social media project that would become the tech giant Facebook. As a chief financial officer and business manager, Saverin played a vital role in the development of the company in its early years and commanded a two-billion-dollar stake in the company in 2012. Zuckerberg would eventually cut him out of the company and dilute his stake. In 2009 Saverin emigrated to Singapore, where he has lived and worked.
Sir Eduardo Paolozzo was no Silicon Valley guru. The son of Italian immigrants grew up in Scotland, studying at the Edinburgh College of Art, Saint Martin’s School of Art, and later, the Slade School of Fine Art at University College London. From 1947 to 1949, Paolozzo worked in Paris, where he developed close ties to legendary artists like Georges Braque, Fernand Leger, and Alberto Giacometti. In the mid-1950s, he founded what is considered the precursor to the pop art movement. In the 1960s, Paolozzo taught at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Royal College of Art. His most well-known public works include the album cover for Paul McCartney’s 1973 album “Red Rose Speedway,” the Athena sculpture at The London Oratory School’s John McIntosh Arts Centre, and the Faraday sculpture at the University of Birmingham.
National Eduardo Day timeline
Eduardo Paolozzi is born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Eduardo Kobra officially begins his career as a street artist at the age of 11.
Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg co-create Facebook.
Saverin moves to Singapore permanently.
National Eduardo Day FAQs
Is Eduardo a rare name?
Eduardo is among the top 100 boys’ names in America among Spanish-speaking communities.
Is Eduardo an Italian name?
Eduardo is an Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese name.
What is short for Eduardo?
Edu, Lalo, Eddie, and Duarte are all nicknames for Eduardo.
National Eduardo Day Activities
Create a soccer jersey
Soccer and Eduardo go hand in hand. Get yourself a soccer jersey with a name printed on the back. Order online or pick it up from a store.
Enjoy some comfort food
A Latin or Mediterranean-themed meal is just what National Eduardo Day calls for. You can order in, go to a restaurant, or whip up a dish in your kitchen.
Send a card
Ever dedicated a card to someone? Now’s your chance. Write a personalized, heartfelt message to that unique Eduardo in your life.
5 Interesting Facts About Famous Eduardos
Beating of the tax man
Eduardo Saverin renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2011 to avoid paying $700 million in capital gains taxes.
The imaginary friend
Eduardo from the Cartoon Network series “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends” is loosely based on a character from Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are.”
Beautifying the streets
Eduardo Kobra, a street artist, began his craft at 11, painting over 3,000 murals on five continents.
Art in space
In 2017, artist Eduardo Kac collaborated with the French Space Observatory to sculpt a statue aboard the International Space Station.
Starting a trend
Eduardo Paolozzi received a knighthood in 1989 as thanks for his contributions to art.
Why We Love National Eduardo Day
It’s sweet on the ears
Say the name Eduardo, and it rolls smoothly off your tongue like a melody. It’s one of the loveliest-sounding names for sure.
It allows recognition
It feels good to be recognized, doesn’t it? Soak up the love and appreciation on National Eduardo Day.
We learn something new
On National Eduardo Day, we learn about the meaning of the name. We also discover how diverse it is across different languages and nations.
National Eduardo Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2024 | July 21 | Sunday |
2025 | July 21 | Monday |
2026 | July 21 | Tuesday |
2027 | July 21 | Wednesday |
2028 | July 21 | Friday |