Gather up, Tolkien fans! Let us celebrate the Hobbit Day on 22 September 2019! It is the birthday of the hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, two fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien’s popular set of books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Bilbo was born in the year of 2890 and Frodo in the year of 2968 in the Third Age (1290 and 1368 respectively in Shire-Reckoning.)

Hobbits are a fictional human-like race in the novels of J. R. R. Tolkien. About half the height of humans, they are also referred to as Halflings. They live barefooted, and live in underground houses which have windows, as they are typically built into the sides of hills. Among them, the most popular hobbits are Bilbo Baggins and his cousin, Frodo Baggins.

Bilbo Baggins is the title character and protagonist of J. R. R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel The Hobbit, as well as a supporting character in The Lord of the Rings. In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit in comfortable middle age, was hired as a “burglar” –despite his initial objections– by the wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves led by their king, Thorin Oakenshield. The Dwarves were on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and its treasures from the dragon Smaug. During the adventure, Bilbo accidentally found a magic ring of invisibility, which was later revealed in The Lord of the Rings to be the One Ring.

Frodo Baggins is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendarium, and the main protagonist of The Lord of the Rings. Frodo is a hobbit of the Shire who inherits the One Ring from his cousin (referred to as his uncle) Bilbo Baggins. Previously thought to be a mere magic ring of invisibility, The One Ring actually has a malevolent power going far beyond conferring invisibility: it was created by Sauron the Dark Lord as part of his design to win dominion over Middle-earth. Frodo then undertakes a quest to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom.

The Fellowship of the Ring, the first of three volumes of The Lord of the Rings, opened with a celebration of Bilbo’s birthday. It was a large party with food, fireworks, dancing and much merriment. Some Tolkien fans celebrate Hobbit Day by having parties and feasts emulating the hobbit’s parties. Other fans celebrate by simply going barefooted in honor of the hobbits, who don’t wear shoes. Some schools and libraries use Hobbit Day as an opportunity to pique interest in Tolkien’s work by putting up displays and hosting events. The Hobbiton Movie Set at Matamata-Piako District at New Zealand also hosts a special event to celebrate Hobbit Day.

You could also celebrate Hobbit Day by relishing the adventures of both Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins by rereading or watching The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and their adaptations, such as motion pictures, comic books, and many more! Do not know the Hobbits yet? Then Hobbit Day is the perfect time to start to get to know this amazing peaceful yet courageous race!

What about you? Do you celebrate Hobbit Day? Tell us!