International Talk Like a Pirate Day is a parodic holiday invented in 1995 by two Americans, John Baur ("Ol' Chum Bucket") and Mark Summers ("Cap'n Slappy"), who proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like pirates. For example, instead of "hello," an observer of this holiday would greet his mates with "Ahoy, me hearty!" The date was selected because it is the birthday of Summers' ex-wife and would consequently be easy for him to remember.
The Original Talk Like A Pirate Day WebsiteAt first an inside joke between two friends, the holiday gained national exposure when Baur and Summers sent a letter about their invented holiday to nationally syndicated humor columnist Dave Barry in 2002. Barry liked the idea and promoted the day.
The Official Talk Like A Pirate Day WebsiteThe day became "international" that same year when people in Australia learned of the holiday from Barry's column.