Cousteau Day

Cousteau Day is observed on June 11th to celebrate the birth date and singular life of Jacques Cousteau.

History of Cousteau Day

Jacques Cousteau, an underwater explorer was honored because of his contributions to marine science and conservation on the anniversary of his birth. The Office of National Marine Reserves (ONMS) began official Cousteau Day, celebrated on June 25, 2010, on the thirteenth anniversary of his death. At sanctuaries around the country, it is celebrated with events such as harbor and beach clean-ups, reading and watching of his movies, events at the aquarium, and events focused on underwater destruction exploration and human impact on the marine environment. The day is also marked by wearing a red hat - Cousteau's signature outfit. There is no indication that the official date will take place on this date in subsequent years. Before, during and after ONMS Cousteau Day, the day was unofficially celebrated on June 11th, the day he was born in 1910.

Cousteau is not a trained scientist but got into underwater exploration because of his love of underwater diving and the ocean. He was a French naval officer during World War II, and began experimenting with underwater filmmaking at the time, and later continued to investigate and research. During his work, he educated the public and aroused their interest in marine life and its conservation. He is an engaged ecologist, a photographer, a filmmaker who has produced over 120 documentaries and an author who has written over 50 books. Most notably, he published Le Munde du silence (The World of Silence) in 1953. It was made into a film in 1956 and won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in the following year. He also created a documentary television show, Jacques Cousteau's Undersea World.

Cousteau also got his hands on various inventions. In 1943, he co-invented the Aqua-Lung, also known as the Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Device (SCUBA). This resulted in easier underwater exploration and people being able to see the wonders of the underworld up close for the first time. He helped invent the Diving Disc, an early means of underwater exploration, and helped create the turbine sail, used in Cousteau's ship, the Alcyone. He also helped invent several underwater cameras.

In 1950, Cousteau made a new ship with a retrofitted minesweeper that called Calypso. He used it for research for the rest of his life. John Denver wrote a song of the same name for the Cousteau, the ship and its crew. Cousteau was received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985. Founded in 1974 by Cousteau, the Cousteau Society continues its work to this day, with a focus on preserving ocean life.

How to celebrate Cousteau Day

Celebrate Cousteau Day happily by wearing a red cap and discovering things related to Jacques Cousteau! Join or donate to the Cousteau Association. Moreover, enjoy the book named the Silent World or one of Cousteau's other books. Watch Jacques Cousteau's film adaptation of The Silent World or Undersea World. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, a tribute and parody of Cousteau dedicated to him, can also be viewed. You can also search for events in your community dedicated to him, organize beach cleanups, or go scuba diving.