Happy Exalano Day
"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling ......"
On a late winter evening in 1977, a small group of college students received an anonymous invitation to celebrate a most unique holiday.  In a one-page note pinned to four dorm room doors, the fourth day of March was declared to be Exalano Day.  Borrowed from a tradition at Boston Latin High School and patterned after a student celebration the year before, Exalano Day was declared to be a freeform, unconventional holiday dedicated to the concept of taking one day a year to step out of the ordinary routine of daily life, look at things differently and to just have some fun.  To illustrate the value of looking at things differently, the announcement included a copy of a MC Escher print offering a variety of perspectives on a single scene. The note was signed by the Exalano Day Committee, under the abbreviation 'The EDC'.

The announcement noted that 'Exalano' is a Greek word meaning 'to march forth', and therefore the fourth day of March is Exalano Day. The notice declared that on this most unique holiday we should march forth from the daily routine and do something new, different, and fun.  By advocating looking at things anew, the EDC called on the recipients to add some enjoyment to their late winter doldrums.

That first Exalano Day was celebrated by a small group of friends in variety of ways - some quiet, some boisterous, all unique.  Smiles were exchanged, good times were shared, and a new outlook was commonplace. Living in the limitless vista of youth, this small group of friends had no thoughts that they were starting a tradition that would still be around for over 40 years.
"Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious ....."
Yet the following year, and again in 1979, more humorous notices were issued to declare the fourth day of March to be Exalano Day.  Each year, a growing group of celebrants shared in this most unique holiday.  By 1980, as the original recipients were moving beyond college, the announcement of Exalano Day was being sent to a variety of people across the United States; the arrival of the Exalano Day announcement had been established as an annual event in the lives of a growing number of people.  During the 1990's, the EDC announcement was being sent to several hundred people across the country.

Once again, this year the Exalano Day Committee has issued its call for celebration.  March 4th is once again the best day on the calendar to spend some quality time looking at things differently and to add a new perspective to your life.  Do take some time this Exalano Day to march forth from your everyday existence and do something new, different, and enjoyable.  And whether this is your first Exalano Day announcement or your 40th-plus, go ahead and do something special for yourself.  Happy Exalano Day!

Your friends at the EDC.