What is Caturday? The History of the Internet's Favorite Holiday

If you log into X (Twitter), Instagram, or BlueSky on a Saturday morning, you will likely see your timeline flooded with pictures of cats. They might be sleeping, playing, or looking grumpy, but they all share the same hashtag: #Caturday.

"Caturday" is a portmanteau of the words "Cat" and "Saturday." It is an unofficial internet holiday celebrated every week where users post photos of felines to cleanse their timelines of bad news and politics.

While it seems like a simple trend, Caturday is actually one of the oldest surviving traditions on the web. It predates the iPhone, Facebook, and even YouTube. In this article, we explore the fascinating history of Caturday and why it has survived for over two decades.

The Origin Story: It Started as a Protest

The exact origins of internet culture are often blurry, but internet historians trace the birth of Caturday to early 2005.

It began on the infamous imageboard 4chan, specifically on the "Random" (/b/) board. At the time, Fridays on the board were often dominated by users posting "Furry" content (anthropomorphic animal art), which annoyed other users. To wash away the "Furry Friday" posts, users began flooding the board on Saturdays with photos of normal, cute domestic cats.

They dubbed this "Caturday." It was a digital palate cleanser. The trend became a rule: if it was Saturday, you posted a cat.

The Explosion: LOLcats and Cheezburger

In 2007, Caturday jumped from the underground forums to the mainstream internet. This was the era of the "LOLcat."

A user posted a picture of a smiling British Shorthair cat with the caption "I Can Has Cheezburger?" This single image launched a website of the same name, which became one of the most popular blogs in the world. Caturday became the designated day for users to upload these "macros"—cat photos with funny, misspelled text (known as "lolspeak") using the Impact font.

Suddenly, office workers and grandmothers who had never heard of 4chan were celebrating Caturday via email chains and blogs.

Why Has Caturday Survived 20 Years?

Most internet memes have a short lifespan. The "Harlem Shake" or "Ice Bucket Challenge" lasted a few months and then vanished. Caturday is different because it is not based on a specific joke; it is based on a routine.

1. The "Palate Cleanser" Effect
Social media can be toxic. During the week, feeds are filled with arguments, politics, and stress. Caturday provides a guaranteed "safe space" once a week. It acts as a collective agreement to pause the fighting and look at something cute.

2. The Universal Appeal of Cats
Unlike dogs, which are often active and outdoor-oriented, cats are the perfect mascots for the internet generation. They are indoor creatures, often grumpy, lazy, or socially awkward—traits that many internet users identify with.

How to Celebrate Caturday Today

Participating is easy. You do not need to be a content creator; you just need a pet.

• The Hashtag: Simply use #Caturday on any platform. It trends weekly on X (Twitter), Mastodon, and Instagram.
• The Content: You don't need a professional camera. In fact, blurry or chaotic photos often perform better.
• The Variations:
  • Loafing: When a cat sits with its paws tucked in like a loaf of bread.
  • Bleps: When the tip of the cat's tongue is sticking out.
  • Toe Beans: Close-ups of the cat's paw pads.

Conclusion

Caturday is more than just a hashtag. It is a digital heritage site. In a world where platforms change and trends die overnight, the simple act of posting a cat on a Saturday remains a constant, comforting ritual.

So, this Saturday, take a photo of your feline friend (or a stray you meet) and join the tradition. The internet is always hungry for more cats.

Source - knowyourmeme.com , time.com , wiktionary.org , cheezburger.com