There's a mysterious holiday in our midst.

Every year, Sorry Charlie Day is celebrated on April 6th...though nobody seems to know of it or understand why it was even created in the first place.

Put on your deerstalker and break out your pipe, my fellow detectives, because we're about to solve this case!                  

Exhibit A: Who is Charlie?

Charlie's true identity is the crux of this case.

Who was he? Why do we feel sorry for him?

Back in the 1960s and 70s, Starkist Tuna's popular catchphrase "Sorry, Charlie" stood out to viewers, who quickly turned it into a familiar household phrase. These may very well be the origins of Sorry Charlie Day - perhaps the phrase became so popular, it created a national holiday in its wake?

So, let's rethink things. Charlie may not be a man at all. Perhaps Charlie, after all, is simply a well-spoken tuna just looking for a job?

Exhibit B: Rejection

Just keep swimming, Charlie.

In these commercials, Charlie the Tuna believes he has good taste and is desperate to be caught by Starkist. Despite his many attempts, the company continues to through rejection after rejection at our fishy hero by way of fish-hook, sadly proclaiming, "Sorry Charlie!".

The reason for Charlie's rejection? Starkist wants "tuna that tastes good" NOT "tuna with good taste".

Coincidentally, Sorry Charlie Day is associated with rejection and is celebrated as a time to reflect on the past, learn from what you've experienced, and continue to grow.

Hmm....

Exhibit C: The Truth

Is that all there is to the mystery behind Sorry Charlie Day? Have we cracked the code? Perhaps, perhaps not. Starkist has never come forward to claim the holiday and hasn't used it for marketing purposes, which leaves me wondering...

Regardless of who Charlie may be, man or tuna, person or catchphrase, Sorry Charlie Day continues to delight and confuse those who know of its existence.

One thing is for sure: Charlie the Tuna sure can pull off a pair of sunglasses.

Happy Sorry Charlie Day!