Ingersoll Day is observed annually on or around 11 August, the birthday of Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-1899), one of the most celebrated orators of nineteenth-century America and a prominent advocate for freethought, secularism, and humanist values. The day is celebrated by freethinkers, humanists, atheists, agnostics, and admirers of Ingersoll’s oratory and philosophy around the world.

What is Ingersoll Day?

Ingersoll Day celebrates the life, work, and legacy of Robert Green Ingersoll, known in his time as the “Great Agnostic.” It is a day for freethinkers and secularists to gather, reflect on Ingersoll’s ideas, and champion the values of reason, liberty, and intellectual honesty that he championed throughout his remarkable career. It is sometimes also called Agnostic Day in recognition of Ingersoll’s philosophical stance.

The observance is informal and community-led, with gatherings ranging from simple picnics and birthday cake readings of Ingersoll’s speeches to public lectures and events hosted by humanist and freethought organisations.

When is Ingersoll Day?

Ingersoll Day falls on or around 11 August each year, the birthday of Robert Green Ingersoll, who was born on 11 August 1833 in Dresden, New York.

History of Ingersoll Day

Ingersoll Day has its origins in the tradition of freethinker communities honouring Ingersoll’s birthday informally for many decades after his death in 1899. The Centre for Inquiry (CFI), the American Humanist Association, and the Council for Secular Humanism have been among the organisations that have promoted and formalised the celebration in more recent years, encouraging groups across the United States and beyond to mark the occasion with readings, discussions, and community events.

The Robert G. Ingersoll Birthplace Museum in Dresden, New York, run by the Council for Secular Humanism, serves as a focal point for Ingersoll Day celebrations, drawing visitors interested in his life and legacy.

Who Was Robert Green Ingersoll?

Robert Green Ingersoll (11 August 1833 to 21 July 1899) was an American lawyer, politician, and orator. Nicknamed the “Great Agnostic,” he was the most popular public speaker in the United States during the latter half of the nineteenth century. Before the advent of motion pictures and radio, more Americans had heard Ingersoll speak in person than any other human being.

Ingersoll lectured widely on freethought, reason, and liberty, drawing enormous crowds to his talks criticising organised religion and promoting the principles of science and rational inquiry. He was also an outspoken advocate for the abolition of slavery, women’s rights, and the rights of minorities, making him a progressive figure in both politics and philosophy.

Despite his fame in his own lifetime, Ingersoll has become somewhat obscured by history, partly because his rejection of religious orthodoxy made him a controversial figure. He never sought elected office, knowing that his agnostic views would be an insurmountable obstacle in the political climate of his time.

Why Ingersoll Day Matters

Ingersoll Day matters because it preserves and celebrates a tradition of intellectual courage and freedom of thought. Ingersoll’s insistence on questioning received wisdom, his defence of individual liberty, and his commitment to compassionate humanism remain relevant in the modern world. His speeches on reason, tolerance, and the separation of church and state anticipated many of the debates that continue today.

For the freethought and secular humanist communities, Ingersoll Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of open inquiry, to celebrate the right to hold and express agnostic or atheist views without prejudice, and to connect with a lineage of American freethinkers stretching back centuries.

How to Celebrate Ingersoll Day

• Read Ingersoll’s works: His speeches, essays, and lectures are freely available online and remain strikingly eloquent and thought-provoking. “Some Mistakes of Moses,” “The Gods,” and his oration on the life of Thomas Paine are good starting points.
• Attend or host an event: Humanist societies, secular organisations, and freethought groups often host readings, discussions, or social gatherings around 11 August.
• Visit the Ingersoll Birthplace Museum: Located in Dresden, New York, the museum is run by the Council for Secular Humanism and welcomes visitors interested in Ingersoll’s life and legacy.
• Share his ideas: Post a favourite Ingersoll quotation on social media to introduce his thinking to a new audience.
• Celebrate with others: Even a simple gathering of friends with cake and selected readings is a fitting way to mark the occasion, in the spirit Ingersoll himself would have enjoyed.

Noteworthy Facts About Robert Green Ingersoll

• Ingersoll was born on 11 August 1833 in Dresden, New York, the son of a Congregationalist minister.
• He served as a Colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was a committed opponent of slavery.
• As a lawyer, Ingersoll argued many high-profile cases and was considered one of the finest legal minds of his era.
• His lectures drew audiences of thousands at a time when public speaking was the dominant form of mass entertainment.
• Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, and Andrew Carnegie were among his admirers and friends.
• His collected works run to twelve substantial volumes, covering topics from Shakespeare and science to religion and politics.

Hashtags for Ingersoll Day

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