iStockphoto / Nandani Bridglal
It has been 44 years since America’s first viral news story occurred. It all went down on a beach in Florence, Oregon when the carcass of a 45-foot sperm whale was exploded on the beach by an overeager demolition crew that used a half ton of dynamite to explode the whale which sent millions of pieces of whale debris flying into the sky before it rained down on everyone in the vicinity. Flash forward 44 years and Exploding Whale Day is now an official holiday in Oregon.
In fact, not only is Exploding Whale Day a holiday in Oregon but the entire month of November is now Exploding Whale Month at the Exploding Whale Memorial Park in Florence, Oregon where mayor Rob Ward officially declared November as “the month to memorialize the exploding whale.”
For the uninitiated, this 4K rendering of the original event shows the making of America’s first viral news story. The chunks of rotting whale raining down on locals everywhere and the throngs of people who showed up to watch the demolition created a scene that was shared by news stations across America.
The official date of the exploding whale was November 12th, 1970. This year for Exploding Whale Day, Florence will have a week full of celebrations all leading up a big event on Sunday, according to Oregon Live. The mayor announced the festivities on a stage with two people dressed in whale costumes. Normal stuff.
According to Oregon Live, after the Exploding Whale Park was built and the viral video resurfaced years ago and was remastered into 4K the whole ‘exploding whale’ lore really took off. Local businesses now have their own version of ‘shop local’ promos all week long calling it “whaley cool items for sale.”
In a press release ahead of this year’s celebration, organizer Elaine McMillan said “we feel that to remember something that went so wrong can make an ongoing positive difference in our small coastal community. The celebration brings levity during a darker, quieter time of year.”
There was also a large movement (and petition) earlier this year to blow up another whale carcass in remembrance of the one 44 years ago.
Anyone within driving distance of Florence, Oregon needs to go this year and tell us how it is. The event is set to take place on November 10th at the Homegrown Public House & Brewery in Florence. Please go, take pictures, and let all of us know how glorious the Exploding Whale Day celebrations were.