Badminton's big day
March 26, 1997 (CNN) -- As surely as the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano each year, so "birdies" flock to Orange, California too. The city is getting set for the 1997 U.S. National Badminton Championships next week, as the nation raises its racquets to celebrate National Badminton Day on Wednesday. Actually, the holiday is raising about as much ruckus as a shuttle plopping down on the grass. "I just learned about this myself," says Don Gobbies of the U.S. Badminton Association. "There are no activities planned, really. In the past, it has fallen at the same time as the tournament, but this year, it's just a date on the calendar." All the same, he says it can still be a day of reflection. "The U.S. was a world power in badminton through the 50s and 60s," he says. "Since then, the popularity has dropped off, and the United States no longer dominates the sport. Indonesia, Korea and Malaysia are now the leaders." The National Championships run April 3-6. 
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