We celebrate Harlem Globetrotters Day every January 7, and we are all pumped up to honor one of the greatest teams in the history of basketball. Do you know that the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team is one of 10 basketball teams ever to make the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame? They broke the color barrier in the NBA and the gender barrier in the Olympics. This team has given us so much entertainment while doing what they do best; playing basketball, and we are happy to be celebrating them.
History of Harlem Globetrotter’s Day
Everyone loves a good game of basketball, the rollercoaster of beautiful emotions that courses through us as we watch two teams play against each other and showcase their talent while we cheer on our favorites. The game has become integral in our lives, as we play and watch in our schools, parks, at the stadium, on television, and even at home. Some of the teams have gone further to help us make lasting, happy memories, one of which is the Harlem Globetrotters.The game of basketball was developed in 1891 by James Naismith, a Canadian-American gymnastics teacher in Springfield, U.S., and became one of the most popular sports in the world. The game consists of two teams of five separate players on each side vying against each other to shoot a basketball into the opponent’s hoop while preventing them from shooting through their own hoop.Abe Saperstein founded the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 1926. They were initially known as the Savoy Big Five, after the famous Savoy Ballroom in Chicago, where they held their first performances. The original team members were all African-Americans from the south side of Chicago, and they didn’t play in Harlem until four decades after the team’s formation. The team embodies qualities of human persistence and creativity. Founded when professional basketball was exclusively for white players, they decided to take basketball to another level, infusing comedy and entertainment. Over the decades, they’ve won over 27,000 games! Harlem Globetrotters Day is a day to honor and remember the achievement of this great basketball team and all other teams worldwide.
Harlem Globetrotter’s Day timeline
The Harlem Globetrotters is one of the major attractions of the Chicago Savoy Ballroom.
The team wins its first World Basketball Championship against the Chicago Bruins.
The team plays before their biggest crowd, 75,000 people, at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.
The Harlem Globetrotters team is inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, receiving one of the highest recognitions in the sport.
Harlem Globetrotter’s Day FAQs
How many countries have the Harlem Globetrotters visited?
They have played in 124 countries and on six continents.
Are their exhibition games real basketball?
They are real games because the Harlem Globetrotters play to win, but they put some fun into their games.
Have the Harlem Globetrotters ever lost a game?
Yes, they have won 27,000 games and lost only 345.
Harlem Globetrotter’s Day Activities
-
Watch their videos
This is as good a time as any to watch replays of the Harlem Globetrotters’ matches. Surf the web for those thrilling, spell-binding videos of creativity, sport, and entertainment at their peak, and have a good time watching with friends and family.
-
Organize a basketball match
Try as much as possible to infuse entertainment into the game, creating comic relief and a fun experience for your spectators.
-
Flaunt them
Do you have a Harlem Globetrotters jersey, band, scarf, or anything carrying the logo and signage of the team? Wear it to celebrate the day and talk about the Harlem Globetrotters to anyone who cares to listen.
5 Fun Facts About The Harlem Globetrotters
-
Exhibit A
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition team that has infused entertainment and comedy into their games.
-
They have international acclaim
The team boasts over 140 million fans in 123 countries, and they have played in different countries before kings, presidents, and royals.
-
First black player to join NBA
In May 1950, Nat Clinton from the Harlem Globetrotters became the first African-American to play at the NBA, landing a deal with the New York Knicks.
-
Introducing new tricks into basketball
The team invented the slam dunk, fast break, forward and point guard positions, and the first four-point shot set 30 feet from the hoop incorporated into basketball today.
-
Launched Chamberlain’s career
After leaving the University of Kansas, Wilt Chamberlain, one of the greatest players in basketball history, started at the Harlem Globetrotters in 1958.
Why We Love Harlem Globetrotter’s Day
-
They make basketball fun
Through their entertaining and comic method of play, the team makes basketball a fun and captivating game to watch. It makes those of us who can’t play the game wish we could perform the magic we see them do, while those who can play the game get to learn more from them.
-
Their rich history
The team’s history is one of grit, determination, perseverance, and hard work. They inspire us by showing that anyone can achieve greatness and make a mark while having fun doing what they love.
-
They unite people
Having fans worldwide, the Harlem Globetrotters unite millions of people who celebrate and enjoy the sport of basketball.
Harlem Globetrotter’s Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | January 7 | Saturday |
| 2024 | January 7 | Sunday |
| 2025 | January 7 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | January 7 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | January 7 | Thursday |
