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16 August: what is celebrated today
The calendar is full of curious days, but some seem made to awaken our exploratory spirit and help us enjoy ourselves to the fullest. 16 August is one of them: an adrenaline rush on International Roller Coaster Day; and, to round it off, a toast steeped in history on International Rum Day. Two very different ways to celebrate, but all with one thing in common: living intensely.
International Roller Coaster Day
If speed and extreme thrills are more your thing, 16 August is also your day. International Roller Coaster Day is celebrated in honour of the patent that Edwin Prescott registered in 1898 for a design with loops that revolutionised mechanical attractions.
Riding a roller coaster is a cocktail of physics and emotions: acceleration, centrifugal force, adrenaline and a good dose of endorphins. From the first wooden slides in 17th-century Russia to giants such as Kingda Ka in the US or Shambhala in Spain, these attractions remain synonymous with fun and personal challenge.
International Rum Day
For those who prefer to end the day with a more leisurely flavour (although equally intense), International Rum Day celebrates one of the world's most emblematic drinks. Born from sugar cane, rum has its roots in the 16th-century Caribbean and has travelled through time and across oceans to become a star ingredient in cocktails such as the mojito and the daiquiri.
There are white, golden, dark and even spice-infused rums, each with its own personality. Beyond its use in cocktails, it also adds character to desserts and savoury dishes. This day is the perfect excuse to discover its history, try new varieties or simply toast the journeys —real or imagined— that await us.