International Thunderbirds Day – September 30, 2022, history significance why we celebrate
Thunderbirds Day is celebrated every September 30 following its founding by ITV Studios on August 16, 2017. It was first celebrated in 2017 and has been celebrated annually to honor the classic British science fiction television series “Thunderbirds” and its revival, “Thunderbirds Are Go.”
First aired in 1965, “Thunderbirds” consists of two series with 32 episodes. It’s known for its stellar special effects and musical score. Are you one of the people who watched it? Let’s celebrate the debut anniversary of this “Supermarionation” series.
History of International Thunderbirds Day
Generations of fans have fallen in love with the Thunderbirds. The show began over 50 years ago, but the most recent rebirth of the show occurred in 2015 (called Thunderbirds Are Go) and continued at least through 2020. International Thunderbirds Day aims to bring all those fans of the show together to celebrate the legacy and continuation of the show.
Fans all over the world come together on this one day of the year to celebrate what the Thunderbirds have to offer. The show is a truly international phenomenon; Thunderbirds Are Go, the new version of the show, is broadcast in over 40 countries, and the original was shown in an impressive 66 countries.
That’s why International Thunderbirds Day is thriving in the digital era, as people from all over the world come together online to discuss, share and celebrate their love of this pioneering sci-fi series.
International Thunderbirds Day takes place on the date in September when the original Thunderbirds made its debut on British TV. It’s obviously an important date for all Thunderbirds enthusiasts and it means a lot to the people who want to recall the legacy of the show and what it means today!
The first episode was aired back in 1965 and it has reached all corners of the globe since that time. The values of bravery, selflessness and teamwork resonate with successive generations and that’s something that doesn’t show any sign of stopping thanks to the success of Thunderbirds Are Go. More people join together to celebrate the show on International Thunderbirds Day with each passing year.
THUNDERBIRDS DAY TIMELINE
September 30, 1965
The Debut
The first episode of “Thunderbirds” is aired on ITV.
December 12, 1966
“Thunderbirds Are Go”
The “Thunderbirds Are Go” film, the sequel to the “Thunderbirds” series, is released.
July 29, 1968
“Thunderbird 6”
“Thunderbird 6” is released as the sequel to “Thunderbirds Are Go.”
April 4, 2015
The New One
“Thunderbirds Are Go” (2015), a remake of the “Thunderbirds” T.V. series, premieres.
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5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT “THUNDERBIRDS”
It’s inspired by a real-life event
Gerry Anderson’s idea for “Thunderbirds” was inspired by the 1963 West Germany mine disaster known as ‘Wunder von Lengede,’ where 11 miners were saved from an imploded mine after surviving for 14 days.
Lady Penelope was modeled after Sylvia Anderson
Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward was based on and voiced by Sylvia Anderson.
It has popular brand merchandise
Over 3,000 “Thunderbirds”-branded items have been sold since 1965.
It was initially titled “International Rescue”
Gerry Anderson’s brother, Lionel, gave him an idea for a catchier title for the series, leading to the title we all know and love, “Thunderbirds.”
It failed to reach the U.S. audience
“Thunderbirds” was canceled because it wasn’t bought by a U.S. television network.
How to Celebrate International Thunderbirds Day
So, how should a fan of the show go about celebrating International Thunderbirds Day? Try out these fun ideas for enjoying the day or come up with your own:
Join in on a International Thunderbirds Day Event
There are lots of things that happen in various parts of the world and it’s possible to find out what’s happening in each local area by heading to the website, thunderbirds.com. Activities and fan meetings will be displayed there, as well as various local gatherings. If a gathering in the local area isn’t found, why not consider putting one on and inviting fans of the show to join in? It will be a great time to make new friends with a common interest in this nostalgic show!
Watch (Or Re-Watch) the Thunderbirds Series
Some people simply decide to rewatch their favorite Thunderbirds episodes, whether from the original 1960s version or from the more modern series. For an added bit of fun, groups of people might decide to throw a watch party where they get together and dress up as their favorite Tracy Island inhabitants as they watch. This could be a great way to get into the spirit of International Thunderbirds Day–and perhaps to introduce the series to someone who has never seen it before.
Download Thunderbirds Activities for Home Use
Another fun way to celebrate is to download activities to complete in your home, which is a great way for families to celebrate International Thunderbirds Day and display their love of the show together. This shows that there are both big and small ways to enjoy International Thunderbirds Day with those around you.
Enjoy a Thunderbirds Feature Film
Released in 2004, almost 40 years after the original series and 11 years prior to the new series, Thunderbirds, a live-action remake was expected to perform well with those who were nostalgic about the show, but it wasn’t a stellar hit at the box office. (The original creator, Gerry Anderson, was not involved in the creation of the film.)
Two other Thunderbirds franchise films from the 1960s series were released on DVD in 2004 in the lead up to the live-action film, including Thunderbirds Are Go and Thunderbirds 6.
Watching these films could be a great way to celebrate International Thunderbirds Day to get an idea of the characters for those who don’t have time to get started on the whole series. Grab a few friends, pop some popcorn, and enjoy a fun Thunderbirds movie night!
