Tom Thumb Day for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Wednesday, January 4th. There are until the next observance.
On January 4, Tom Thumb Day is observed to honor the memory of Charles Sherwood Stratton, the best actor of his day. Charles was born on January 4, 1838, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and went on to earn global recognition under the patronage of his mentor and adopted, P. T. Barnum. Stratton, a dwarf, avoided the stigma associated with his condition and brought his gift all the way to Queen Victoria’s courtyard. On the anniversary of his birth, we get together to remember his long-lasting impact on the entertainment industry and the many doors he opened for the little people of his time.
📆 When is Tom Thumb Day?
This year, Tom Thumb Day is on January 4th. It is the 1st Wednesday in January; in 2024, it is on Thursday.
→ Did you know: Some of the earliest things from the Maya civilization that have been found are clay sculptures and pictures of little people.
You can also see all fun things you didn’t know about and facts about January 4, 2023.
📜 History of Tom Thumb Day
At the age of four, P.T. Barnum, a distant relative of Stratton’s, saw his aptitude and began to coach him. He adopted the youngster unofficially and trained him to sing, dance, mimic, and imitate. Barnum worked hard to train Stratton, and soon he was one of the most popular things to see at his New York City Museum.
As the team began their American tour, Barnum gave Stratton a new stage persona based on the English legend, Tom Thumb. When Stratton was just five years old, he was represented as an 11-year-old dwarf from England. Stratton played figures such as Napoleon and Cupid on stage.
Charles was welcomed to Buckingham Palace when he was six years old. His performance for Queen Victoria and the following tour made him a London celebrity. Stratton has received numerous honors over the years, including “the greatest actor of his time.”He poured new life into the freak show entertainment business and rehabilitated the presentation of “human oddities” from his very first performance in New York.
The vibrant performances of General Tom Thumb and his decades-long devotion to the profession can be credited in part for America’s love of carnival entertainment. Burnam not only accentuated Stratton’s diminutive stature, but also his great creativity. Stratton’s talent for singing and acting, along with his impeccable comic timing, established him as a real professional entertainer, one of the finest of all time.
Stratton died of a heart attack at the age of 45, after four decades in the entertainment world, including an invitation from the Lincoln White House. On the anniversary of his birth, we honor General Tom Thumb and all he did for the entertainment industry.
☑️ Tom Thumb Day facts
✅ Snow White and the first dwarfs
For the first time, animated dwarfism was represented in the 1937 animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
✅ It’s Dunn time
Michael Dunn (1934–1973) is recognized for influencing a new generation of children in the entertainment business.
✅ The wizard of the most
The 1939 hit “The Wizard of Oz” retains the record for the most tiny people cast in a single film.
✨ Things to do on Tom Thumb Day
⚡ Watch a Tom Thumb documentary
Watch a documentary about his life to get a true sense of this unorthodox world hero. There are plenty accessible online, such as “History’s Smallest Superstar: The Real Tom Thumb,” which details our wonderful hero’s life and struggles.
⚡ Celebrate our differences
Stratton dedicated his life to the entertainment industry and became a role model for thousands of small children during his lifetime. In many ways, he celebrated his talent, urging others to see past the differences that set us apart.
⚡ Mentor someone in need
Without Barnum’s very altruistic mentoring, Stratton would never have become General Tom Thumb. There are probably individuals in your life who may benefit from your advice, and January is a fantastic month to start mentoring someone.
📅 Tom Thumb Day Observances
| YEAR | DATE | DAY |
| 2023 | January 4 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | January 4 | Thursday |
| 2025 | January 4 | Saturday |
| 2026 | January 4 | Sunday |
| 2027 | January 4 | Monday |
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