Today, Nov. 10, 2022, is Guinness World Record Day, an annual celebration of record-breaking feats. The holiday began in 2004, the year Guinness World Records became the number one best-selling copyright book of all time.

Each year, in celebration, people around the world attempt to break records and get their names in the next book.

According to the Guinness World Record website, records were broken last year for everything from Fastest speed on a motorcycle while performing a headstand/handstand stunt rider  (Marco George practiced for more than three years to break the record.)

To longest gum wrapper chain. 70-year-old retired teacher creates the world’s longest gum wrapper chain | Guinness World Records Gary Duschl holds that record, with an astounding 106,810 foot chain.

Humans are not the only ones breaking records either. A yak named Jericho holds the record for longest horns on a yak. His measure 136.4 inches.

The website explains, The Guinness World Records which was originally called the Guinness Book of Records, began in the early 1950’s and was started as a way to break up arguments in pubs. Sir Hugh Beaver, who was the managing director of the Guinness Brewery at the time, attended a shooting party with friends. An argument came about over what was the fastest game bird in Europe. The friends could not find the answer to their question in any reference book, and in 1954, Beaver teamed up with Norris and Ross McWhirter, twins who specialized in fact finding.

Their company began as Guinness Superlatives and was housed in a two-room converted gym on Fleet Street. Putting in 90 hours a week, including holidays and weekends, the first edition of their book was completed in 13 ½ weeks,

The 2023 edition of the Guinness World Records was released on Sept. 13, 2022 and can be purchased from Amazon, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Target and many other stores.

If you’ve ever considered trying to break a record yourself, you can begin by going online and filling out an application. Records | Guinness World Records.

In order to become a record setter, you must complete these steps:

• Read through the information on their website explaining What makes a world record title   reasons applications are rejected  and apply to set or break a record
• Log in or register 
• Find the record you want to break. If it is active, it will have an “apply now” button. You can also select the “Apply for a new record title” button.
• Complete and submit the form. When filling in the form you can choose if you want to purchase a priority application which means you will receive your guidelines in 5 working days. (charges apply). A standard application will take up to 12 weeks to receive your guidelines and sometimes longer if there is a high demand. Please check the current waiting periods to get up to date information on waiting times.
• If your application is approved, you will be notified.

Maybe you wonder how Guinness World Records decides what records they keep. According to their website, they have some strict rules. Each record must fulfill ALL of the following:

• Measurable – Can it be measured objectively? What is the unit of measurement? We do not accept applications based on subjective variables. For example - beauty, kindness, loyalty.
• Breakable – Can the record be broken? Our record titles must be open to being challenged.
• Standardisable - Can the record be repeated by someone else? Is it possible to create a set of parameters and conditions that all challengers can follow?
• Verifiable - Can the claim be proven? Will there be accurate evidence available to prove it occurred?
• Based on one variable - Is the record based on one superlative and measured in one unit of measurement?
• The best in the world - Has anyone else done better? If your record suggestion is new then Guinness World Records will set a challenging minimum requirement for you to beat.

There are aslo some definite no nos:

• Unsuitable activities or those which could cause potential harm or danger to spectators.
• Any records that endanger or harm animals.
• Excessive eating. All of our eating records are limited to short time periods and small quantities of food, such as fastest time to eat three cream crackers.
• Food wastage. We require any record relating to food to follow strict policies regarding food consumption and donation.
• Any record involving the consumption of alcohol as part of drinking contests, binge drinking or speed drinking.
• Illegal activities in pursuit of record breaking.
• People under the age of 16 to attempt or hold records which are considered unsuitable for minors.

For more information on The Guinness World Records, visit Home | Guinness World Records,