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International Caps Lock Day

Fun · October 22

A lighthearted day about the Caps Lock key, the keyboard switch that turns every letter into a capital until you press it again.

International Caps Lock Day falls on Friday, October 22, 2027. That is 360 days away.

The Caps Lock key sits on the left edge of most keyboards, just above Shift, and it does one job. Press it once and every letter you type comes out as a capital. Press it again and things go back to normal. This day gives that quiet key some attention, and it is marked in the United States as well as elsewhere.

The key is a holdover from typewriters, where a shift lock mechanically held the type in its upper position so a typist could write a heading without keeping a finger pressed down. Computers kept the idea, and many keyboards add a small light so you can tell when it is on.

Online, a message typed in all capitals tends to read as shouting. That habit has given the key an odd reputation. It is useful for headings, labels, acronyms and the occasional sign taped to a fridge, and it is also the reason so many passwords fail on the first try.

People mark the day by noticing the key at all. Some type a cheerful note in capitals on purpose. Others check their own keyboard for the little indicator light, or wonder why such a rarely used key gets such a large, prime spot near the home row.

On some computers you can remap Caps Lock to do something else entirely, such as act as an extra Control or Escape key.

Ways to celebrate

• Send a friendly all-caps message to someone who will find it funny.
• Look for the Caps Lock indicator light on your keyboard.
• Try typing a short heading with Caps Lock instead of holding Shift.
• Check your computer settings to see what Caps Lock could be remapped to.

Dates

All national days on October 22

Also on October 22

• National Nut Day
• National Make a Dog's Day
• Global Champagne Day
• National Color Day

Categories: Fun days