Featured Image: Dalek at Sudbury Hall 2023, photo Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)
On December 21, fans of Doctor Who have an excellent reason to revisit one of the most famous enemies in the Whoniverse—the Daleks. These extraterrestrial beings, first appearing in 1963, have been terrorizing the Doctor and Earthlings alike for decades. But why are they so significant, and what makes International Dalek Remembrance Day worth noting?
For those unfamiliar with Daleks, think of them as mutated aliens housed in metallic shells that roll around like miniature tanks. Their mission? Conquer and destroy everything non-Dalek. Created by the sinister scientist Davros, the Daleks originate from the planet Skaro. With a fearsome battle cry—“Exterminate!”—they quickly became unforgettable figures in British television.
But beneath the robotic exterior is something much deeper. The Daleks represent the worst of human nature—fear, hate, and desire for absolute control. This makes them not just a monster-of-the-week but a reflection of real-world historical and philosophical ideas, which adds to their lasting popularity.
For Fans: A Look at Dalek History
For longtime fans, there’s plenty to unpack about the Daleks. They’re a product of their time, created during the post-World War II era, and some fans see them as a symbol of the dehumanizing effects of war. Episodes like “Genesis of the Daleks” (1975) offer insights into their dark origins, making them more than just soulless machines.
The Daleks were even responsible for some of the Doctor’s most emotional moments, including the heartbreaking encounter in “Dalek” (2005) when the Ninth Doctor, played by Christopher Eccleston, is faced with a surviving Dalek from the Time War.
How to Celebrate
For those wanting to mark the day, there are plenty of simple ways to dive into the Dalek madness:
- Watch Dalek episodes: If you’re new to Doctor Who, start with “Dalek” (2005) or “The Stolen Earth” (2008). If you’re a seasoned fan, classics like “The Daleks” (1963) or “Remembrance of the Daleks” (1988) offer a great throwback.
- Share your favorite Dalek moments: Use the day as an excuse to connect with other fans online. Daleks have given the Doctor plenty of dramatic moments—what’s yours?
- Get creative: Fans love creating Dalek art, costumes, or even baking Dalek-shaped cookies. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try your hand at a Dalek craft or share some fan art on social media?
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
