NATIONAL UNDERWEAR DAY | AUGUST 5
On August 5th National Underwear Day provides an opportunity to wear your favorite undergarments. Boxers. Briefs. Panties. Tighty-whities. No matter what you call them, our underthings provide a layer of comfort.
#NationalUnderwearDay
Many Americans have heard their mother’s warning. “Make sure to always wear clean underwear. You never know when you will be in an accident!” While there are other reasons to wear fresh underwear, this is the one that often comes to mind.
Underwear is the layer of clothing worn closest to the body and under the outer clothing. It protects clothing from sweat. Underwear also provides the wearer protection from cold and chafing. Another benefit to underwear includes support and body shaping.
Most of us see these intimate items of our wardrobe as necessities. However, others utilize them as accessories. Since fabrics allow underwear to be designed for specific needs, a wide variety are made for sports and specific climates. Depending on preference, some select garments for modesty or to feel alluring.
A 2012 survey by Elitedaily.com reveals that the average woman owns 20 pairs of underwear – for every day. Then, they own 14 extra pairs for special occasions.
In 2018, retailers reported an increase in the popularity of nude colors. Instead of bright fashion colors or sultry bedroom styles, shoppers sought something neutral. Skin blending shades that disappear under sheer outer clothes won consumers’ dollars.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL UNDERWEAR DAY
Embrace your body image. Use #NationalUnderwearDay to post on social media. If you are the bashful type, just wear your underwear around the house when no one is home. One can also celebrate by watching the 1983 romance comedy Risky Business starring Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay.
While you’re wearing your favorite underwear, consider these brief ways to celebrate. You might even reveal a naked truth.
- Read a book about the history of underwear. For example – Unmentionables: A Brief History of Underwear by Elaine Benson and John Esten.
- Buy some new underwear. You can never have too many pairs.
- Clean out your underwear drawer. (Yes, we know that might be unbearable.) But maybe we were wrong. You can have too many!
- Rank your brand of underwear on a comfort scale. You know, what’s the most comfortable underwear you’ve ever worn? It might be revealing.
- Tell a clean underwear joke. It’s harder than you think, too. But, we’ll get you started with these two:
- How long does it take to put on a pair of underwear? A brief second.
- Are you wearing holey underwear? No? Then how did you put your legs through them?
NATIONAL UNDERWEAR DAY HISTORY
Freshpair founded National Underwear Day on August 5th, 2003.
August 5th Celebrated History
1858
Cyrus W. Field’s idea to lay a telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean comes to fruition. On this day, the final section of the cable was laid.
1861
Congress enacts the Revenue Act and it is signed by President Abraham Lincoln. The act allows the collection of income tax for the first time in the United States.
1914
Cleveland, OH installs the first electric traffic light at Doan’s Corner. Today, the intersection is East 105th Street and Euclid Avenue.
1921
Major League Baseball broadcasts its first game over the radio. The Pittsburgh Pirates shut out the Philadelphia Phillies.
1924
Cartoonist Harold Gray publishes “Little Orphan Annie” in the New York Daily News.
1926
Magician and escape artist Harry Houdini attempts his most challenging escape. However, after spending 91 minutes in a casket underwater, he signals to his assistant to release him.
1957
American Bandstand broadcasts nationally for the first time. Hosted by Dick Clark, bands would lipsynch their music to a dancing crowd of teenagers.
1954
At the 27th Academy Awards, From Here to Eternity wins Best Picture.
1962
South African police arrest Nelson Mandela on charges of conspiracy to overthrow the government.
1962
Actress and singer Marilyn Monroe dies. Monroe was known for film hits such as Some Like It Hot, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and The Seven Year Itch.
1969
Launched on March 27, 1969, Mariner 7 flies past the planet Mars. While the spacecraft was the second craft to fly by Mars, it used information from the first flyby to cataloged additional information scientists were seeking.
1974
Joan Jett forms the first all-girl hard rock band, the Runaways.
1984
Marathon runner, Joan Benoit, wins gold in Los Angeles at the first Olympic marathon for women.
1998
The U.S. version of the improvisational comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway” debuts on ABC.
August 5th Celebrated Birthdays
Deodoro Da Fonseca – 1827
The first president of Brazil, Fonseca was a military leader who led a coup to end the Empire and establish a republic on November 18, 1889. The coup took place after the Empress, Princess Isabell abolished slavery in 1888. However, Fonseca served less than a year, making him the first Brazilian president to resign.
Neil Armstrong – 1930
The astronaut is known for being the first human to step foot on the moon. On July 20, 1969, Armstrong and fellow astronaut, Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. Their feat was broadcast around the world.
Herb Brooks – 1937
The American hockey player and coach is best known for leading the U.S. Olympic hockey team to gold. Known as the “Miracle on Ice,” the team upset the Soviets during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY.
Loni Anderson – 1945
Best known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, Anderson was also married to actor Burt Reynolds. The WKRP character was the AM radio station’s receptionist.
Patrick Ewing – 1962
Now the head coach for Georgetown University’s men’s basketball team, Ewing began his professional career as a first-round pick in the NBA draft. He played the majority of his career with the New York Knicks. In 1992, he also played as a member of the U.S. Olympic Dream Team.
Reid Hoffman – 1967
Hoffman launched the internet’s largest professional network, LinkedIn, in 2002. Since then, the social media network has grown to 575 million users.
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