What is National Superhero Day?

According to Days of the Year, “Superhero Day first got its start in 1995, when Marvel Comics’ employees went out into the world to ask what superpowers kids would want to have. The results were people talking about superheroes in their own lives, and how they often looked like your normal person. ” You see, despite the inundation of tv, movie and comic book superhero marketing mania, deep down we all know what makes up a real hero. It’s not the cape, the magic cuffs or the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound, it’s the generous heart, the kind actions, the selfless going above and beyond, that makes us in awe of the human capacity for greatness. So let’s celebrate the superheroes in our lives, both real and fictional- we can all aspire to be the hero of our better selves.

How to Bring a Hero to Life With Your Dinner Table Talk

There are many ways to honor heroes- everything from singing their praise from your window, porch, or front yard at a particular community designated time- to displaying Thank You posters and sending notes of appreciation. I’m not talking about those larger acts of gratitude. Those should be done from the heart and done often. Rather, I’m talking about the family dinner conversations that are meant to inspire and make ever lasting meaningful memories. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Dress the part.

• Have everyone come to the table dressed as their superhero. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. It can be as simple as wearing a favorite superhero T-shirt, pinning a cut out construction paper letter that represents a superhero’s name to a shirt (and everyone guessing who the letter represents) to wearing a piece of jewelry or other item given or shared with them by a real life super hero.
• Have everyone draw a picture of their favorite superhero, artistic talent be damned.
• Have everyone bring a picture or photo of their favorite superhero to the table.
• Have everyone describe what their own superhero outfit would look like. Crayons and drawing paper at the table add a fun touch.

Share and discuss inspiring quotes from superheroes.

Here are some to get you started:

• “It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.” – Batman
• “Heroes are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with.”– Iron Man
• “With great power, comes great responsibility.” – Spiderman
• “The strength of this country isn’t in buildings of brick and steel. It’s in the hearts of those who have sworn to fight for its freedom! ” – Captain America
• No man can win every battle, but no man should fall without a struggle.”– Peter Parker
• “In a world of ordinary mortals, you are a wonder woman.” – Queen Hippolyta
• “I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” –Superman
• “It’s not dying that you need to be afraid of, it’s never having lived in the first place.” – The Green Hornet
• “Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up.” – Batman
• “Everything doesn’t have to be about fear. There’s room in our line of work for hope, too.” -Batgirl
• “I’m here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way.” –Superman
• “Life doesn’t give us purpose. We give life purpose.” – The Flash
• “It’s about what you believe. And I believe in love. Only love will truly save the world.”- Wonder Woman
• “The fate of your planet rests not in the hands of gods. It rests in the hands of mortals.”- Thor
• “Faith is my sword. Truth is my shield. Knowledge my armor.”– Stephen Strange
• “Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe.” – T’Challa

Coversation topics are only limited by your imagination.

• If you were a superhero, what would your superhero powers be? How and for what would you use your powers? How did you acquire your powers? What is your weakness?
• What makes a superhero a superhero?
• Go around the table taking turns naming as many fictional superheroes as you can. Real superheroes by name and/or category.
• Favorite superhero and why? Favorite arch-enemy and why?
• Have everyone create or retell a story involving a favorite superhero, real or fictional.

There’s nothing stopping your family from being the superheroes in your own life stories. Just think of the possibilities, the wonderful potential, when life starts to imitate the art of the superhero.

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How will your family be celebrating your superheroes? Share your stories in the comments below. Thanks. Smiles.