Folklore, especially Safganian folklore, had long spoken of the existence of the fabulous White Gorilla, a creature of immense beauty, strength and endurance, yet with a playful, even puckish nature.  But until relatively recently, little or no evidence had been found that there actually was a White Gorilla.

But (according to the March, 1967, National Geographic magazine) on October 1^st, 1966, an actual, living, breathing, white-haired, blue-eyed baby gorilla was discovered by a hunter in Equatorial Guinea.  He was given the name Copito de Nieve (Snowflake) and he lived at the Barcelona Zoo for over 37 years.  The gorilla, that is.  Not the hunter.

Because Snowflake was found on October 1^st, this date has been celebrated every year since as White Gorilla Day.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. -- Proverbs 17:22

Consider this: October 1^st (White Gorilla Day) is exactly opposite April 1^st

No one is laughable who laughs at himself. -- Seneca

(April Fools Day) on the calendar.  Is this a coincidence?  Maybe.  Or maybe not!  Perhaps in the great grand scheme of things it was all planned this way, to provide a badly-needed balance to April Fools Day.

Thus, because the object of April Fools Day is to make a fool of others for one's own amusement, (a questionable practice at best!)

If you can't laugh at yourself, someone else will do it for you, and you won't enjoy it nearly so much.

the object of White Gorilla Day clearly should be to amuse others by making a fool of one's self.

So go ahead! 

Laughter is the best medicine.

There are many ways to celebrate.  Tell a stupid joke.  Even better, tell a White Gorilla joke.  Or two.  Put a stuffed White Gorilla in the window of your car or house.  Don a White Gorilla costume, and go from door to door in your neighborhood giving out candy, especially white chocolate candy.  Bake sugar cookies in the shape of White Gorillas, and take them into work.

Hang plastic bananas on your apple tree.  Hang plastic bananas on your neighbor's apple tree.  Take a day of vacation

You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself. -- Ethel Barrymore

to do something you've always wanted to do, but haven't because others might consider it too "frivolous."  Perhaps you could even visit the Zoo.  If you're like most people, a lot has changed since you were there last.

A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.

White Gorilla Day is an excellent excuse to take advantage of the nice fall weather before winter sets in.