The Cleveland City Council approved a resolution declaring April 18 as the annual Cleveland Superman Day, cementing the Ohio city’s longstanding claim as the birthplace of one of the world’s most iconic comic book heroes.
The date was chosen because it marks the day Superman first appeared in print, when “Action Comics” no. 1 went on sale in 1938, according to Cleveland City Council Ward-4 representative Kris Harsh.
Superman was created in the 1930s by Glenville High School students Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The two teenagers conceived the character before spending years facing rejection from publishers who doubted the public’s appetite for a caped superhero. Their perseverance ultimately paid off, and all 200,000 printed copies of the debut issue sold immediately, laying the groundwork for all superhero comics to come.
The resolution recognizes the work of the Siegel and Shuster Society, a nonprofit organization that has spent nearly two decades advocating for Cleveland’s Superman heritage.
“The Siegel and Shuster Society has worked tirelessly to promote Cleveland as the birthplace of Superman, one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in popular culture throughout the world and a symbol of the enduring ideals of truth, justice and the American way,” Harsh said.
The society was created in 2007 after Mike Sangiacomo, a Plain Dealer reporter and lifelong Superman fan, authored an article demanding the city do more to honor and celebrate Superman’s Cleveland origins.
The date is to be celebrated annually and will kick off this year with a special luncheon hosted by the Siegel and Shuster Society. The event is scheduled for April 18 at the Cleveland Marriott at Key Tower.
The declaration comes at a moment of renewed national attention on Superman’s Cleveland roots. The upcoming DC film “Superman,” directed by James Gunn, spent parts of six weeks filming in and around Cleveland last summer, working with a local budget of approximately $37 million.
Cleveland residents expressed pride in the official recognition. “We love Superman,” said Sean Armstrong, who visited Superman Plaza with his family. “It’s just such an honor to have that as part of our heritage.”
“Honestly, I think it’s a great thing because Cleveland doesn’t get as much fame as it should,” Austin Armstrong added. “I think it’s great that they’re focusing on Cleveland.”
The Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza, located in front of the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland, stands as a permanent tribute to the creators and will serve as a focal point for future Superman Day celebrations.
