Take A Wild Guess Day – April 15, 2024

History of Take A Wild Guess Day

It is nearly impossible to trace our way back to the very first guess in history. We cannot even attempt to guess this one. However, it is safe to assume that guesses and hunches have been around since the beginning of time. Today, we have a plethora of information and analytical tools, but we still tend to rely on guesses for a fair share of things. Thinking of a time back in the day where information was more limited, hunches and instinctual decisions were probably the most common.

While the word ‘guess’ has an associated uncertainty that comes with it, it is essential to the world as we know it. The discipline of science, which is considered the most reliable, is nothing but a series of educated guesses which are then tested out to draw conclusions and observations. From history and computer science to games and literature, guesses play a vital role in society.

At one point or another, we have relied on our hunches. Whether it is following your gut feeling and canceling a plan, playing guessing games, or guessing the author’s intention in an English class, guessing is a part of our lives in various ways.

Professional speaker, Jim Barber, came up with National Take a Wild Guess Day. The day falls on Tax Returns Day, which is when Barber realized that most people take wild guesses. After his declaration for April 15 to annually be celebrated as National Take a Wild Guess Day, the holiday became a huge success and took on a broader meaning.