Ed Balls Day has long been the perfect way to celebrate the former Cabinet minister’s Twitter fail, but how do people celebrate the occasion, and has it fallen victim to commercialism?
The annual tradition dates back to April 28, 2011. While in the Castleford branch of Asda, Balls, who lost his seat in the 2015 general election, tweeted his own name in a failed attempt to search for an article which mentioned him.
The result? A little piece of British history.
Ed Balls
— Ed Balls (@edballs) April 28, 2011
Since then, Twitter users have celebrated the anniversary of the gaffe. Having appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, the show’s Twitter account couldn’t let the opportunity to remember his dancing pass them by.
It's the most wonderful time of the year. #edballsday pic.twitter.com/n6veqICgdF
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) April 28, 2018
And what about this? A signed picture of Balls’ tweet is a classy way to celebrate the holiday.
Happy #EdBallsDay everyone, comes sooner and sooner every year pic.twitter.com/p9psXJrWSv
— James Cleverley 🏴 (@JamesCleverley1) April 27, 2018
Its place in history is undeniable.
#ThisDayInHistory Ed Balls accidentally tweets his own name. #EdBallsDay https://t.co/9NlrD3nsOQ
— HISTORY UK (@HISTORYUK) April 28, 2018
Careful not to celebrate the occasion too hard, or you may end up like David, here, who went too wild on Ed Balls Eve.
Happy #EdBallsDay 2018. Went a bit too wild on Ed Balls Eve this year, so a day of quiet contemplation of the true meaning for me today.
— David Halliwell (@davidhalliwell4) April 28, 2018
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so they say.
Dave
— Dave (@davechannel) April 28, 2018
How about this crossover of cultural moments?
Happy Ed Balls Day everyone. Hope it's a special day for you and your families! pic.twitter.com/qYOQSXnovN
— Young Labour (@YoungLabourUK) April 27, 2018
The shadow secretary of state for education harnessed the energy of the day before work.
Getting ready for a great campaign session #LabourDoorstep @Trafford_Labour & feeling the ❤️ on a special day #EdBallsDay @edballs 😜 pic.twitter.com/Lii5Gbt7tP
— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) April 28, 2018
But has the anniversary’s true message become distorted over the years?
Happy #edballsday everyone!Sad it’s become so comercialised and people forgetting the real historic message of the day.
— Simon Keller (@simonkellerln) April 28, 2018
Ed Balls.