National Dora Day

 

Date:

July 7 (Observed annually)

Who Is Dora the Explorer?

• Dora Márquez, known simply as Dora, is the energetic, bilingual, 7-year-old Latina heroine of the hit animated series Dora the Explorer, which first aired on August 14, 2000, on Nickelodeon.

• Created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes, and Eric Weiner, Dora is known for her:

  • Backpack, which holds magical tools

  • Map, that guides her quests

  • Monkey sidekick, Boots

  • Repetitive interactive catchphrases like “Swiper, no swiping!” and “¡Vámonos!”

What Is National Dora Day All About?

Purpose:

• To honor Dora’s cultural and educational contributions to children's entertainment and early language learning.

• To celebrate the name Dora, which means "gift" or "God’s gift" in Greek, making it a day of appreciation for people who carry the name.

• To inspire adventure, learning, and exploration, just like the show’s message.

Dora’s Cultural & Educational Impact

Educational Themes:

• Bilingual Education: Dora teaches children both English and Spanish vocabulary.

• Problem-Solving: Each episode involves logic puzzles and critical thinking.

• Interactivity: Dora often “breaks the fourth wall,” engaging children in call-and-response.

• Inclusivity: As a Latina lead, Dora represents positive multicultural representation in children’s media.

Dora’s Influence on Generations:

• Dora helped normalize multiculturalism and bilingual education in mainstream TV.

• The show ran for 8 seasons, inspired spin-offs like:

  • Go, Diego, Go! (focused on her cousin Diego)

  • Dora and Friends: Into the City!

• Inspired a live-action film (Dora and the Lost City of Gold, 2019) and a new Paramount+ reboot.

Ways to Celebrate National Dora Day

For Kids:

• Create a Dora-style map adventure around the house or garden.

• Watch educational episodes of Dora and friends.

• Dora crafts: Make your own backpack, map, or Swiper mask using paper, glue, and markers.

• Sing Dora songs: “I’m the map!” and “Backpack, backpack!”

For Families:

• Host a viewing party of Dora episodes or the live-action movie.

• Cook Latin-inspired snacks like empanadas or churros together.

• Teach Spanish basics through Dora’s educational format.

Online & Social Media:

• Share your favorite Dora moments using hashtags like #NationalDoraDay, #DoraTheExplorer, or #VámonosDay.

• Post childhood photos in Dora outfits or with Dora toys.

• Share fun trivia or educational facts from the show.

For People Named “Dora”:

• Reach out to loved ones named Dora with greetings or notes.

• Celebrate their name’s meaning—“gift”—by sending them a thoughtful message or gift.

Media to Enjoy on National Dora Day

Title	Format	Why Watch?
Dora the Explorer (2000–2019)	TV Series	Classic learning adventures
Go, Diego, Go!	Spin-off	Animal rescue fun with her cousin
Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)	Movie	Live-action Dora on a jungle quest
Dora and Friends: Into the City!	Spin-off	More urban, pre-teen Dora
Dora the Explorer Reboot (2024–2025)	Streaming (Paramount+)	Modern animation & storylines

Fun Facts

• Dora was the first Latina character to lead a preschool show on U.S. television.

• The series has been translated into over 25 languages and aired in over 150 countries.

• Dora is a globally recognized pop icon, often parodied or referenced in adult media (e.g., SNL, memes, cosplay).

Dora's Most Famous Phrases:

• “¡Hola! Soy Dora!”

• “Come on, vamonos! Everybody, let’s go!”

• “Swiper, no swiping!”

• “You did it!”