The very notion of having a day to celebrate the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland seems almost as mad as the man himself – yet here we are!
Today people across the globe will be donning orange wigs and top hats in a celebration of all that is silly.
How did the Mad Hatter get his name?
The Mad Hatter is actually just called the Hatter but everyone else refers to him as the Mad Hatter.
The phrase “mad as a hatter” dates back to the 18th century when mercury was used in the production of felt, which was then used to make hats.
Winchester Hat Fair 2013,Mad Hatter and White Rabbit lead the singalong at the tea party. Friday 5th July 2013.
Workers in the hat factories were exposed daily to trace amounts of the metal, causing some to develop dementia caused by mercury poisoning.
Consequently the phrase became popular as a way to refer to someone who was perceived as insane.
Why today?
Many versions of the zany character have him wearing a hat bearing a label reading “In This Style 10/6”.
This meant that a hat in that style cost 10 shillings and sixpence.
(l-r) James Marshall as the Mad Hatter, with Zack Campbell Ward aged 4 with Katherine Kerr as Alice. The Mad Hatters Tea Party visits CIS in Southampton.
Inspiration is taken from this to act in the style of the Mad Hatter on 10/6 each year.
In the UK this would have been June 10, but as the day was founded in America it is October 6.
How did the day first come about?
IT workers in Boulder, CO, USA celebrated a day of tomfoolery in 1986 some computer-folk in Boulder, CO celebrated a general day of silliness, inspired by the character himself.
Simone Clarke as the Mad Hatter, (Customers Tilly Slaymaker and Irene Shepperd) and Kay Strugnell as Alice all have a cuppa and biscuit.The Cooperative food store, in Woolston had a mad hatter's tea party to celebrate switch of all own brand tea
The event grew in popularity and in 1988 the day was first recognised as an official holiday and received its first national press coverage.
How do we celebrate Mad Hatter Day?
There are various ways to celebrate Mad Hatter Day including fancy dress parties, afternoon tea, reading the Lewis Carol book or watching any of the movies.
The Daily Echo is celebrating the day with this gallery of Mad Hatters through the years.
Winchester Guildhall Courtyard Cafe team Mad Hatters Tea Party: Alice alias Hannah Scott with White Rabbit better known as Sam Earley and The Mad Hatter himself Gary Fisher.
Our photographers have taken plenty of pictures of people dressed up as the instantly-recognisable character at book days, fancy dress parties and carnivals through the years.
A selection of them can be seen in the gallery above.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here