Four years ago today Ed Balls tweeted his own name...then this happened #EdBallsDay
TODAY marks the fourth anniversary of a senior Labour politician's internet gaffe bizarrely becoming an online sensation.
Ed Balls
— Ed Balls (@edballsmp) April 28, 2011
'Ed Balls Day' marks the day in April 2011 when an aide of the shadow chancellor said he should find an article about him on Twitter.
However, instead of typing his name in the search bar, the social media unsavvy MP accidentally posted just 'Ed Balls' as a tweet.
The post was picked up by Twitter users and has been retweeted more than 40,000 times.
Ed Balls
Ed Balls
This year, the celebrations started early, with social media users pointing out their excitement on 'Ed Balls Eve'.
And the festivities continued into the big day itself.
Historian Stephen Graham criticised what he considered to be a growing tide of political correctness, posting: 'Our local council is apparently re-naming #EdBallsDay 'Shadow Chancellor-Fest' to avoid offending people who aren't Ed Balls. PC gone mad.'
Meanwhile, Chuck Thomas pointed to a recent controversy involving Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps, writing: "According to Wikipedia, it's not #EdBallsDay today. It's actually #GrantShappsDay."
Our local council is apparently re-naming #EdBallsDay 'Shadow Chancellor-Fest' to avoid offending people who aren't Ed Balls. PC gone mad.
— Stephen Graham (@PlopGazette) April 28, 2015
According to Wikipedia, it's not #EdBallsDay today. It's actually #GrantShappsDay.
— Chuck Thomas (@chuckthomasuk) April 28, 2015
However, Jack Tidale mourned for more innocent times when he wrote: "#EdBallsDay isn't the same as when I was a kid, it seems to be an excuse to sell masks and books on Post Neo-Classical Growth Theory now."
#EdBallsDay isn't the same as when I was a kid, it seems to be an excuse to sell masks and books on Post Neo-Classical Growth Theory now.
— Jack Tindale (@JackTindale) April 28, 2015
Ed Balls
Ed Balls
In the past, Mr Balls has - perhaps understandably - joined in the festivities.
Last year, he retweeted the original message, and two years ago his wife, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper did the same.
However, he is yet to make a festive proclamation so far this year.