In the age of smartphones and digital news alerts, it might surprise many that we still celebrate a profession born centuries ago—the Town Crier. Yet every second Monday of July, voices echo across towns in flamboyant uniforms as communities around the world mark International Town Criers Day. This unique day pays tribute to a profession that once played a vital role in public communication. It brings history alive with theatrical flair, reminding us of a time when people relied on loud proclamations to stay informed. In 2025, this tradition remains a delightful mix of heritage, culture, and community engagement.
📜 History of International Town Criers Day
The International Town Criers Day was first officially recognized in 1997. The day was established by Scott Fraser, a town crier from Ontario, Canada. Fraser, passionate about keeping historical traditions alive, wanted to acknowledge the critical role town criers played in shaping communication and civic engagement throughout history.
Town criers were especially important in times before the printing press and widespread literacy. As early as the Middle Ages, these men—and occasionally women—were employed by the royal court or city councils to make public announcements. They would walk the streets ringing a bell and shouting proclamations, often beginning with the famous phrase: “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!”, which means “Hear ye!” in Norman French.
Though no longer essential for communication, the role lives on as a symbol of heritage and communal pride. Hence, in 1997, Fraser’s initiative took off, and the second Monday of July became a globally observed day to honor town criers—those vibrant messengers of yesteryears.
🌟 Importance of the Day
The importance of International Town Criers Day lies in its dedication to preserving an essential facet of human communication history. Before social media, newspapers, and the internet, town criers were the original news broadcasters, sharing important public information such as:
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Royal decrees
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Local laws and regulations
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Births, deaths, and marriages
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Crime notices
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Market days and public events
Celebrating this day ensures we don’t forget the rich tapestry of history they represent. It highlights the evolution of public information systems and teaches younger generations about the pre-digital age.
💫 Significance of International Town Criers Day
International Town Criers Day holds special significance for the following reasons:
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Cultural Preservation – It safeguards the performance art and historical role of criers.
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Community Spirit – Criers today serve as goodwill ambassadors, fostering local pride.
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Living History – It keeps historical practices active in the modern era.
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Tourism and Engagement – Many town crier events attract visitors and encourage civic participation.
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Honoring Tradition – It gives recognition to a once-vital service that shaped towns and cities.
This day is not just about looking back. It’s a celebration of how communication, charisma, and community converge in a single individual.
🎉 Why Is It Celebrated?
International Town Criers Day is celebrated to:
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Recognize the contributions of town criers to public life.
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Celebrate living history, through costumes, scripts, and traditional proclamations.
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Educate the public about past communication methods.
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Bring communities together through street performances, contests, and parades.
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Preserve a unique tradition, rich in color, ceremony, and public interaction.
The day is about keeping the voice of history alive, giving new life to old traditions, and using them to bridge generations and inspire civic pride.
🥳 How Is It Celebrated?
International Town Criers Day is celebrated with joyous theatrics and community events. Common celebration practices include:
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Town Crier Competitions – Criers compete in loudness, clarity, diction, and costume authenticity.
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Heritage Parades – Participants dress in historical garb, ring bells, and read proclamations.
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Public Declarations – Often humorous or historical in nature, these declarations are performed in public squares.
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Workshops & Storytelling – These educate children and youth on the history of town criers.
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Social Media & News Spotlights – Modern media channels cover these colorful, unique events.
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Town Tours – Town criers lead visitors through historic districts, narrating local history.
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Proclamation of the Day – In many towns, the mayor or local officials deliver a proclamation honoring the day.
🌍 Where Is It Celebrated?
Though rooted in European history, International Town Criers Day is celebrated in numerous countries around the world including:
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United Kingdom – The birthplace of the profession, with many towns having official criers.
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Canada – Especially in Ontario and Nova Scotia, where the tradition thrives.
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Australia – Several towns have ceremonial criers who take part in the day.
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United States – Many reenactment communities participate with festivals and parades.
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New Zealand – Known for heritage events and historical commemorations.
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The Netherlands – Hosts international town crier contests.
These celebrations blend local identity with global tradition, showcasing each region’s flair and historical interpretation.
👥 How Citizens Participate and Make It a Success
Citizens play a vital role in making International Town Criers Day successful by:
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Attending Public Performances – Applauding and encouraging criers during their announcements.
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Participating in Costume Days – Dressing in period outfits to create an immersive experience.
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Engaging with History Booths – Learning about the evolution of communication.
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Volunteering at Local Events – Helping with organization and logistics.
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Promoting on Social Media – Sharing photos, videos, and stories from celebrations.
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Bringing Children – Exposing younger generations to historical roles and traditions.
The event thrives on community enthusiasm, turning public squares into stages of celebration and nostalgia.
🎯 Theme for 2025
While International Town Criers Day doesn’t always have a central global theme, many regional bodies assign themes each year.
Theme for 2025: “Voices Across Time: Proclaiming Peace and Unity”
This theme encourages town criers to share messages of global harmony, using their historic platform to echo modern values of inclusion, peace, and collective strength. Expect proclamations filled with poetic reflections, historical anecdotes, and messages of community building.
💬 10 Famous Quotes for the Day
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“Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Let every voice be heard—today and always.”
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“In a world of noise, the clearest voices come from the past.”
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“Town criers ring not just bells, but hearts awakened by heritage.”
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“When criers speak, history listens.”
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“A town crier does not just proclaim news—they declare belonging.”
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“Celebrate the echoes of our past; they shape our present.”
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“Where criers once called for justice, we must still listen.”
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“Bold voices built communities—never let them fade.”
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“Criers don’t whisper. They roar for remembrance.”
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“Today, we remember that communication was once an art—and still can be.”
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is International Town Criers Day?
A1. It’s a day celebrated every second Monday in July to honor the historical role of town criers who were the public announcers of news before modern communication systems.
Q2. Who started International Town Criers Day and when?
A2. Scott Fraser, a Canadian town crier, initiated the day in 1997 to keep the tradition alive.
Q3. What is the purpose of celebrating International Town Criers Day?
A3. To preserve and promote the role of town criers, educate the public about their historical value, and foster community engagement.
Q4. How are town criers different from modern news reporters?
A4. Town criers delivered news publicly using their voice and bell, while reporters use print and digital mediums. Criers had a ceremonial and communal presence.
Q5. Is tInternational Town Criers Day celebrated globally?
A5. Yes. Countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, the USA, and New Zealand celebrate it with pageantry and historical reenactments.
Q6. How do people participate in the celebration?
A6. By attending town crier events, dressing up in costumes, volunteering, and promoting the day on social media.
Q7. Are there any competitions held on International Town Criers Day?
A7. Yes. Many regions host town crier competitions based on voice projection, delivery, and costume authenticity.
Q8. Do town criers still exist?
A8. Yes, though mostly ceremonial now. Many towns have official criers who appear at public and tourist events.
Q9. What’s the 2025 theme?
A9. “Voices Across Time: Proclaiming Peace and Unity.”
Q10. Why is “Oyez!” always used by town criers?
A10. “Oyez” comes from Norman French meaning “Hear ye!”—a call for silence and attention before announcements.
🛎️ Conclusion
International Town Criers Day is more than just an ode to old times—it’s a celebration of voice, tradition, and community storytelling. In a world where news is often digital, this day reminds us of the power of the spoken word, of public spaces filled with meaning, and of the human need to come together and listen.
As we celebrate International Town Criers Day 2025, let’s ring the bell for heritage, proclaim the value of history, and listen once more—not just with ears, but with hearts open to the timeless message: “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!”
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My name is Subhajit Bhattacharya , I am a Instrumentatin Engineer and working as a content writer for this site, All the information of this site is only for educational purpose.
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