Harambe’s 27th Birthday Remembered by the White House
Harambe, the gorilla who became an internet figure following his tragic death while protecting a child who fell into his zoo enclosure, would have celebrated his 27th birthday on Thursday. The White House marked this occasion with a heartfelt tribute to the “legend.”
A post on X surfaced late Wednesday night, just before the 10th anniversary of Harambe’s passing. In the tribute, he was lauded as a “true patriot” and a symbol of “American culture.”
“Today we remember a legend,” stated the White House. They emphasized that Harambe had come to symbolize loyalty, strength, chaos, unity, and the odd beauty of the Internet, which connects countless individuals for a shared mission: to never forget Harambe.
Harambe lost his life at the Cincinnati Zoo on May 28, 2016, in a desperate attempt to save a 4-year-old boy who fell into his habitat. Eyewitnesses recorded the moment Harambe dragged the unconscious child through a water stream in the enclosure.
Zoo staff instructed Harambe to back away, but when he didn’t comply, they made the difficult decision to shoot him.
“Many recall where they were when they first heard the news. Ten years on, his legacy endures,” the post added. “Gone but never forgotten. Forever in our hearts.”
A fervent “Justice for Harambe” movement quickly gained traction, and the meme transcended other trends of the time.
In London, hundreds gathered at a candlelight vigil just five months after Harambe’s death. The phenomenon influenced American professional sports, leading to “Harambe” jerseys being sold by online retailer Fanatics during the 2016 MLB and NFL seasons.
Harambe’s story gained attention around the same time as President Trump’s first presidential campaign. Just days after the gorilla was shot, Trump commented on the incident.
“It was astonishing to see how a 500-pound gorilla handled the situation with that little boy,” he remarked. “But it takes only a second. It’s not entirely resolved. Just a flick of the finger—there wasn’t much choice, I believe.”
Interestingly, before the 2016 election, surveys indicated that about 5% of voters would consider voting for Harambe instead of Trump or Hillary Clinton.
