International Town Criers Day

International Town Criers Day is observed on the second Monday of July. In 2026, this date falls on July 13. The day celebrates the bellmen and public announcers whose voices once carried official news, proclamations, and market notices to communities that could not rely on print or broadcast media. This short, annual observance highlights a living link to older systems of public communication and invites curious people to learn how communities once shared information aloud.

History of International Town Criers Day

Town criers trace their role back to ancient civilisations where heralds and public criers announced official news, and the job continued through medieval and early modern Europe. Criers used bells, drums, or gongs to gather attention and often began proclamations with invocations such as "Oyez," a Norman French call meaning "hear ye." Their responsibilities ranged from announcing royal proclamations and tax changes to calling market days and public events, and they held a recognised civic role at a time when literacy and printed distribution were limited.

The modern observance that honors that role developed much later, and accounts in contemporary sources differ about its foundation. One account credits Scott Fraser of Waterloo, Ontario, a town crier, with founding the first International Town Criers Day in 1997 to bring attention to the profession. Another account gives an earlier origin, stating the day was established in 1994, possibly linked to the Honourable Guild of Town Criers in England. Whatever the precise origin, the holiday is now associated with the second Monday of July and is celebrated by enthusiasts, historical societies, and ceremonial criers across several countries.

Why is International Town Criers Day important?

The day preserves awareness of a profession that once played a critical role in civic life, reminding people that public communication has long shaped how communities make decisions and share urgent information. Honouring town criers also honours skills of oratory and performance that supported civic trust and ceremonial practice, and it helps keep a colourful tradition visible to new audiences.

Beyond nostalgia, the observance encourages reflection on how information reaches people and who serves as a trusted messenger in a community. It foregrounds public speaking, local history, and community rituals, and it gives organisations a moment to connect modern outreach with older forms of communication.

• It recognises a historical public office that helped keep communities informed.
• It preserves oral traditions tied to civic ritual and ceremony.
• It promotes public speaking and presentation skills through demonstrations and contests.
• It connects local history organisations with residents through live events.
• It offers educational moments about media evolution before mass literacy.

How to Celebrate International Town Criers Day

Celebrate by attending a town crier demonstration or championship, many of which take place regionally and include categories for best costume, loudest delivery, and best proclamation. Museums, historical societies, and guilds often organise events that let visitors see period liveries, hear traditional calls, and learn why criers were once central to daily civic life.

If there are no public events nearby, you can recreate the experience with a small public reading or proclamation contest among friends, or invite a speaker to demonstrate public-announcement techniques. Businesses in historic districts sometimes partner with local groups for themed displays or short proclamations; schools can use the day to teach about local governance and communication before modern media.

• Attend a live town crier event or a regional championship whenever possible.
• Try a role-play: dress in a crier’s livery and make a short, clear proclamation to an audience.
• Host a public speaking workshop inspired by town-crier techniques to build projection and clarity.
• Partner with a local historical society for demonstrations, exhibits, or a proclamation contest.
• Share recordings or photos of criers on social media with respectful captions to raise interest in the tradition.

International Town Criers Day Dates