Why is April 25 the 'perfect date'? Explaining the 'Miss Congeniality' meme

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer

Sci fi fans are gearing up for May 4, "Star Wars" Day. But Thursday marks a special meme-filled day for rom-com lovers.

If you've seen the 2000 film "Miss Congeniality," you know April 25 is the perfect date. The informal commemorative day stems from a quirky mix-up in the Sandra Bullock-led film that fans have come to celebrate for nearly two decades, per USA TODAY.

But why is April 25 the "perfect date"? Here's what to know.

April 25 'Miss Congeniality' meme

Before we get ahead of ourselves and explain the context to it, here's the popular meme fans of the film often share on the day.

via GIPHY

Why is April 25 the 'perfect date'?

The iconic "perfect date" line was delivered in the film by Heather Burns' character Cheryl Frasier during one of the talent rounds of the beauty pageant competition.

"Miss Rhode Island, please describe your idea of a perfect date," pageant MC Stan Fields, played by William Shatner, asks Frasier, to which she responds: "That's a tough one. I'd have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket."

Her misunderstanding of the question is one of the film's most memorable quotes.

April 25 was also chosen for the script because it's the birthday of director Donald Petrie's wife.

What is 'Miss Congeniality'?

Sandra Bullock (center) stars in the 2000 film "Miss Congeniality."
Sandra Bullock (center) stars in the 2000 film "Miss Congeniality."

"Miss Congeniality," a Donald Petrie-directed film, stars Sandra Bullock as Gracie Hart, an FBI agent assigned to go undercover as Miss New Jersey's Gracie Lou Freebush to investigate bomb threats against a nationwide beauty pageant. The film also stars Benjamin Bratt, Michael Caine, William Shatner and Candice Bergen.

Where did the 'Miss Congeniality' April 25 meme come from?

Similar to "Star Wars" Day, Galentine's Day and Festivus, "Miss Congeniality" Day has become an annual pop culture phenomenon in which social media users share memes and GIFs celebrating the date.

Even actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt tagged Shatner in a tweet about it in 2019, and then Shatner himself jumped on the GIF bandwagon.

"You know what today is? It’s the #PerfectDate Thank you Miss Rhode Island!" Shatner tweeted.

Celebrities born on April 25

Here is a list of celebrities who were lucky enough to be born on the most perfect date of the year, April 25:

Academy Award-winning actor Al Pacino was born April 25, which is the perfect date, according to the 2000 film "Miss Congeniality."
Academy Award-winning actor Al Pacino was born April 25, which is the perfect date, according to the 2000 film "Miss Congeniality."

  • Len Goodman (ballroom dancer).

  • Al Pacino (actor).

  • Sara Paxton (actor).

  • Gina Torres (actor).

  • Renée Zellweger (actor).

  • Ella Fitzgerald (singer).

  • Jason Lee (actor, filmmaker, photographer and professional skateboarder).

  • Melonie Diaz (actor).

  • Björn Ulvaeus (singer, songwriter and composer).

  • Marguerite Moreau (actor).

  • Talia Shire (actor).

  • Emily Bergl (actor).

  • Hank Azaria (actor and comedian).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Miss Congeniality' meme returns! Why April 25 is the 'perfect date'

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