Newman Day

The tradition is named after American actor Paul Newman after he said: "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not."
Originally started at Bates College, the tradition has spread to other educational institutions, including his alma mater.

Newman Day is a collegiate drinking tradition in which 24 beers are consumed over 24 hours. The ritual was initiated by students of Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine.[1][2][3][4][5] At its inception during the college's annual January 1976 Winter Carnival, a student exclaimed that Paul Newman once said "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not," as a rhetorical mandate.[6][5]

Originally named Paul Newman Day, it was renamed Newman Day (sometimes known as Newman's Day), and became an unofficial student tradition at Bates in the years to follow.[7] As time went on the tradition was picked up by his alma mater, Kenyon College, as well as Princeton.[8] At Bates, Newman Day occurs on the Friday of Winter Carnival, although other schools have opted to celebrate on April 24. In all cases, the event begins at 12:00 am and concludes at 11:59 pm. During his life Newman publicly opposed the tradition and asserted that the quote inspiring it was misattributed.[9]

The tradition has been spun off into new traditions and similar activities by West Virginia University and the University of Virginia.[10] At the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University in Minnesota, the same tradition is celebrated annually under the name of "Case Day".[11]

  1. ^ The Daily Princetonian: Carol Lu, "If I had a nickel for every beer I drank today." Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine April 24, 2007.
  2. ^ Nevin, David (1970). Muskie of Maine. Ladd Library, Bates College: Random House, New York. p. 99.
  3. ^ Woz, Markus (2002). Traditionally Unconventional. Ladd Library, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine: Bates College. p. 6.
  4. ^ "Newman's Own Letter | News | Bates College". www.bates.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
  5. ^ a b The New York Times: "Newman's Day — forget it, star urges drinkers." Retrieved May 27, 2007.
  6. ^ "24 beers in a case, 24 hours in a day. Coincidence? I think not". Retrieved 2017-06-16.
  7. ^ "Newman's Own Letter". 2008-11-01. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
  8. ^ Cheng, Jonathan (2004-04-22). "Film Legend Bothered by Use of Name in Stunt at Princeton". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
  9. ^ Cheng, Jonathan (2004-05-13). "Newman Day Called Cruel Joke by Actor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
  10. ^ Cheng, Jonathan (22 April 2004). "Film Legend Bothered by Use of Name in Stunt at Princeton". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 March 2018 – via NYTimes.com.
  11. ^ Record, CSB/SJU (17 April 2017). "Preparing for Case Day". Retrieved 20 April 2022 – via csbsjurecord.com.