The Associated Press writes:

A Russian region has found a novel way to fight the nation’s falling birthrate.

It has declared Sept. 12 the Day of Conception and for the third year running is giving couples time off from work to procreate.

The hope is for a brood of babies exactly nine months later on Russia’s national day. Couples who “give birth to a patriot” during the June 12 festivities win money, cars, refrigerators and other prizes.

Do single people get the day off to look for procreation partners? Are women easier on that day? September 12 is probably the only day the pick-up line, “C’mon, everyone else is doing it,” actually works.