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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Rachel Hall

22.02.2022: social media gets excited over palindrome ‘Twosday’

The Stonehenge Twitter account pointed out that the monument was around for another palindrome milestone date: 11 November 1111.
The Stonehenge Twitter account pointed out that the monument was around for another palindrome milestone date: 11 November 1111. Photograph: David Goddard/Getty Images

Some are calling it palindrome day while others are opting for the twos day (or “Twosday”) pun but, it seems, everyone is excited about the unusual calendar event taking place on the 22 February 2022 (22.02.2022), when the day’s date can be read the same way forwards or backwards.

This palindrome day is unusual because it’s also an ambigram, meaning that on a calculator it can be read upside down in exactly the same way.

In the UK date-writing format (dd-mm-yyyy), there have only been seven palindrome days so far this century, starting with 10 February 2001 (10.02.2001), while the next is on 3 February 2030 (03.02.2030).

Commenters on social media have been sharing their excitement about the date and the good luck it is rumoured to bring.

One meme doing the rounds captures the mind-blowing confluence of features that make today’s date so distinctive.

Stonehenge humbly pointed out that although this palindrome day is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for most, it’s not the first time the Wiltshire rock circle has experienced the phenomenon.

The University of Oxford pointed out that the last palindrome day of this century will be on a leap day, on 29 February 2092.

Several commenters were excited to celebrate their 22nd birthday on the same date as twos day.

Another joked about the popularity of palindrome days with wedding venues, given the luck they symbolise, especially in certain cultures.

Others shared pictures of pairs, couples and twins, in honour of how many twos make up today’s date.

Meanwhile, some retailers are offering customers 22% discounts until midnight in honour of the date.

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