National Pink Day, 23 June: Celebrate Pinkness!

Next National Pink Day Sunday, 23 June 2024

National Pink Day is observed every year on June 23rd.

Pink is often seen as the color of femininity, softness, childhood, and romance. Hence, Pink Day is a celebration of everything pink.

Everyone is encouraged to wear something pink on this particular day. It is also a day of trying to break stereotypes associated with color.

This day should not be confused with International Day of Pink (April 14) or with Wear It Pink Day (October 23).

History of National Pink Day

There are no records of who started celebrating National Pink Day, or when this unofficial holiday was created.

The color pink is used to describe a shade of pale red and was named after a flower of the same name. The word was first used as a verb during the 14th century when "to pink" meant to decorate it with a perforated or punched pattern, by using pinking shears on fabric.

However, the word "Pink" was first used to refer to the color in the 17th century after a Dutch flower of the same shade that was named "pinken".

Although pink is associated with feminity, It wasn't the case always. During the 20th century, pink was more of a masculine color and blue was more of a feminine color. This was because men in England wore red uniforms, and so small boys would be dressed in the paler hue of red.

When pink became seen as a more feminine color, there was an unspoken rule that men shouldn't wear it. However, in recent years the stereotype has been broken, and more men incorporate pink in their clothes and accessories.

Celebrate National Pink Day

Celebrate this day by wearing some pink, buying some pink flowers for yourself or a special someone, and just enjoying the brightness and tenderness of the color.

It can also be a reminder to show your support for a cause commonly associated with pink, and donate some money to an LGBTQ+ charity or towards Breast Cancer Research.

Some Facts about the Color Pink

There are many different shades of pink. Some popular ones are blush pink, baby pink, cool pink, dusty pink, and rose.
The different shades of pink can have different effects on the brain. For example, softer pinks are known to be calming and soothing, while brighter pinks (in boxes or plates) are thought to make pastries taste better and look more appetizing.
The color pink was not known in China until Chinese people began interacting with Western culture. This is why in the Chinese language the symbol for pink means "foreign color".
During World War II, homosexuals were targeted by Nazis and made to wear pink triangles to mark them. This started much of the stigma around pink that existed during that time period.
Many psychologists have stated that the color pink helps to make people more calm and less aggressive. This is why several jails in Switzerland have pink jail cells.
Scientists have stated that pink is the oldest color that has existed and survived on the earth. It is over 1.1 billion years old.