Toy Soldier Day is an annual event that occurs on March 4 to celebrate the day that “Toy Soldiers Unite”, originally the fan club of Dr. Steel — a Los Angeles-based music and street performance artist, was formed in 2006. The holiday is intended to unite fans of various role-playing activities as opposed to collecting or displaying plastic toy soldiers. Although Toy Soldier Day is not as famous as holidays like Christmas or Halloween, numerous fans of Dr. Steel celebrate the day every year.
History of Toy Soldier Day
Every year on March 4, “Toy Soldiers”, the fan club of Doctor Waldolf Steel — a Los Angeles-based music and street performance artist that all have the designation of Nurses & Medics, Scouts, and Engineers, gather the world over to celebrate the day that “Toy Soldiers Unite” was formed. In one of the publications on its website, the organization noted that “although much has changed since “Toy Soldiers Unite” was formed, one thing that remains unchanged is Toy Soldier Day and the commitment of its soldiers to impactful social missions”. The organization, founded as Dr. Steels fans club, created the holiday to unite fans of various role-playing activities and to collaborate, compare and share ideas. Although faux, the holiday is sometimes believed to be a time to gather up all your miniature figurine soldiers for the fictitious war. The founder and convener of Toy Soldiers Unite, Dr.Steel, started his career as a street performer and musician who became famous during the early days of the web. His performances involve a combination of puppetry and video projections to help his audience better understand the meanings behind his steampunk songs. His stage persona, fans have noted, is an original portrayal of a mad scientist determined to take over the world and become its Emperor, which was the reason why he needed the “Army of Toy Soldiers” and ultimately why we now observe Toy Soldier Day. Dr. Steel’s “Army of Toy Soldiers” is made up of four regiments: toy soldiers, nurses, toy scouts, and engineers whose mission is to promote Dr. Steel’s philosophy of transhumanism, freedom of thought, and subjective reality. Done through what it calls “invasions”, which is simply doing charity work and toy drives for the less fortunate in uniform.
Toy Soldier Day timeline
Dr. Steel, the principal convener and one-time subject of the Toy Soldier Day celebration, begins his career with a public performance on the streets of Los Angeles.
The website for Toy Soldier Day’s founding organization, Toy Soldiers Unite, is created by its head of the fan club, Kate Lambert.
Dr. Steel retires after a long silent period — however, his retirement is officially confirmed in a letter to the current head of the Army of Toy Soldiers the following year.
The focus of Toy Soldier Day shifts from promoting Dr. Steel himself to promoting the philosophy he presented.
Toy Soldier Day FAQs
What does a ‘toy soldier’ symbolize?
It’s used to reference a miniature figurine soldier that depicts uniformed military personnel.
Why Toy Soldier Day?
Toy Soldier Day aims to celebrate the day that “Toy Soldiers Unite”, originally the fan club of Dr. Steel, was formed. The holiday allows fans to unite and engage in role-playing activities instead of just collecting toy soldiers.
How can I celebrate Toy Soldier Day?
Toy Soldier Day is about having fun! Take out your toy soldiers and get them ready for combat. If you are an adult you can spend a portion of the day reminiscing the memories of you playing with toy soldiers when you were young to celebrate the day, or ask people to share their experience of it from the past.
Toy Soldier Day Activities
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Have real fun
Toy Soldier Day is about having fun, so take out your toy soldiers and get them ready for combat. You can decide to buy the latest toy soldier model for your kids to celebrate the day or a decently sized one for your own use. No matter what you decide to do, make sure to have a blast.
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Drive by memory lane
As an adult you can spend a portion of the day reminiscing the memories of you playing with toy soldiers when you were younger, to celebrate the day. Give it a try, you will be surprised.
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Celebrate on social media
Another interesting way to celebrate Toy Soldier Day is to generate an online discussion around people’s experience of it from the past. What is their favorite moment of playing with a soldier when they were younger? Share yours and use the hashtag #ToySoldierDay.
5 Fun Facts About The Army Of Toy Soldiers
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Four nucleus parts
The Toy Soldier Army has four main regiments: Toy Soldiers, Nurses, Toy Scouts, and Engineers.
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Equally yoked
There are no ranks within the group and all soldiers are considered equal.
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March 4
The date of the holiday that Toy Soldiers celebrate is a play on the words “march forth”.
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Toy Soldiers are awarded the honorary title
Toy Soldiers who go "above and beyond" may be awarded the honorary title of "Yellow Jacket".
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It has a motto
The Army has the motto ‘Building a Utopian Playland,’ which expresses the group's core philosophy.
Why We Love Toy Soldier Day
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The fun
The holiday allows us to have fun and relive our childhood memories. We are able to take wholesome bits of our childhood playing days and make them a reality. It also allows our children to find new ways of playing apart from their devices.
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It's a day to bond
Gather your family and friends together and have a toy soldier “invasion.” Dress up and visit a communal park where you can spend a day bonding and having fun.
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We love Dr. Steel
The founder and convener of Toy Soldiers Unite, Doctor Waldorf Steel, started his career as a street performer and musician who became famous during the early days of the web. His performances, fans noted, involve a combination of puppetry and video projections we love!
Toy Soldier Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 4 | Saturday |
| 2024 | March 4 | Monday |
| 2025 | March 4 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | March 4 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | March 4 | Thursday |
