World Tetris Day

On June 6th, puzzle enthusiasts from around the world come together to celebrate World Tetris Day, a day dedicated to one of the most iconic video games ever created. Did you know that the game of Tetris, which was born in the Soviet Union in 1984, has been scientifically proven to increase cognitive function and even reduce the risk of PTSD? It’s no wonder that this simple yet addictive game has stood the test of time, captivating players of all ages for decades.

A Historical Timeline of Tetris

Tetris has a rich history that spans over three decades. Here’s a quick look at how the game has evolved:

• 1984: Tetris is developed by Alexey Pajitnov, a Soviet software engineer, while working at the Dorodnitsyn Computing Centre of the Soviet Academy of Sciences.
• 1989: The game gains worldwide popularity after being bundled with the Game Boy, Nintendo’s handheld gaming device.
• 1996: Tetris becomes one of the first games to be adapted for mobile phones, marking the beginning of its transition into a digital era.
• 2007: The Tetris Company and Blue Planet Software introduce official Tetris games for smartphones, further cementing its place in the digital gaming landscape.
• 2020: Tetris Effect, a VR version of the game, is released, bringing the classic gameplay into the immersive world of virtual reality.
• 2023: On December 21, 2023, Willis Gibson, also known as Blue Scuti, made Tetris history by becoming the first person to “beat” the game. He reached the previously-unattainable level 157, triggering a killscreen that caused the game to crash—a feat never before achieved!

When Is World Tetris Day?

June 6th isn’t just another day on the calendar—it’s World Tetris Day, a time to celebrate the game that’s been stacking up wins since 1984. Why June 6th, you ask? It’s the day Alexey Pajitnov first shared his ingenious creation with the world, setting off a chain reaction of falling blocks and rising scores. To help you plan your Tetris marathons, here are the dates, including weekdays, for World Tetris Day:

Fun Facts and Trivia About Tetris

Tetris is more than just a game; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has inspired countless studies, documentaries, and even art. Here are some fun facts about Tetris that might surprise you:

• The word “Tetris” is a combination of “tetra,” meaning four (since all the game pieces are made of four segments), and “tennis,” which happens to be Pajitnov’s favorite sport.
• A study conducted at McGill University found that playing Tetris can lead to a thicker cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for coordination, perception, and decision-making.
• The world record for the longest game of Tetris is held by a player who played for over 48 hours straight. Talk about commitment!
• The Tetris theme music, known as “Korobeiniki,” is based on a 19th-century Russian folk song and has become one of the most recognizable video game tunes in history.

To sum it all up, by celebrating World Tetris Day, you’re not just playing a game—you’re participating in a global phenomenon that has shaped the way we think and play for decades. So, why not take a moment to appreciate the beauty of a perfectly cleared line?

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.