National Crayon Day

Child with colorful hands, drawing with crayons, surrounded by vibrant artwork in a classroom setting.. — National crayon day illustration

Hello there, color enthusiasts! It’s time to wheel out the red carpet, indigo aisle, and every shade in between, because we're talking National Crayon Day. A day that fills us with nostalgic shades of childhood fun, creativity and those non-edible but strangely appetizing looking wax sticks. Although for legal reasons, we must stress: Do NOT eat your crayons.

When is Crayon Day?

It's national crayon day on the 31st March.

A Colorful Journey

The first notable moment in our poppy red timeline was when we recorded a crayon-tastic total of 5853 mentions of National Crayon Day across the web. But hold onto your waxed hat, because it gets even more colorful. The highlight of our chromatic adventure occurred on March 31, 2017, a day when crayons truly felt the social media love.

Every Day is a New Shade

Every day in our lives is influenced by color - from the cool blues of a clear sky to the fiery reds of a sunset. Just like colors, every day has its own hue in the form of national days. If you thought that these days sprang up randomly like a badly aimed flick of a paintbrush, you're mistaken. The creation of such a day involves particular celebrations, events, or even just the whimsical nature of the internet. And National Crayon Day, my friends, fits into all these categories.

Color Outside the Lines

What’s your favorite color? Chances are, as a kid, you probably had a favorite crayon, the one that was always worn down to a waxy stub while the others remained pristine. Remember the feeling of coloring outside the lines for the first time? That first rebellion in a coloring book? For many of us, that's where our creativity began, and National Crayon Day serves to remind us of those whimsical moments, reviving the child-like joy in adults and introducing the new generation to the rainbow of possibilities.

Go, Paint the World!

So, take this day as an opportunity to embrace your inner artist. Even if you can’t draw a stick man perfectly, in the end, it’s the thought and the joy of creating that truly matters. And hey, who knows, maybe those crayons will inspire the next masterpiece – the Sistine Wall of home office!

History behind the term 'Crayon'

1675

First recorded use of the term 'crayon'

In 1675, the term 'crayon' was first recorded in the English language. It is derived from the Latin word 'creta' meaning 'earth' or 'clay'. Crayons were initially made by mixing pigments with wax or oil and used for drawing or writing.

1821

French method of crayon production

In 1821, the French developed a method of crayon production that involved mixing powdered pigments with clay and then baking them. This technique resulted in a harder and more durable crayon. The French became renowned for their high-quality crayons.

1903

Introduction of the Crayola brand

In 1903, the Binney & Smith Company introduced the Crayola brand of crayons. These crayons were made using a combination of wax and pigments, resulting in a smooth and easy-to-use coloring tool. Crayola crayons quickly gained popularity and became a staple in schools and households.

1958

Crayola introduces the first box of 64 crayons

In 1958, Crayola introduced the iconic box of 64 crayons that included a wide range of vibrant colors. This box became a symbol of creativity and imagination for generations of children. The addition of the built-in sharpener at the back of the box made coloring even more convenient.

1990

Crayola retires the color 'dandelion'

In 1990, Crayola retired the color 'dandelion' from their box of crayons, marking the first time a color was voluntarily removed. Crayola's decision created buzz and excitement among coloring enthusiasts, and the retired 'dandelion' crayon became a sought-after collectible.

2004

Crayola introduces multicultural crayons

In 2004, Crayola introduced a set of multicultural crayons to represent a diverse range of skin tones. This inclusive addition to their product line aimed to encourage children to explore and celebrate the beauty of diversity through art. It was a significant step towards promoting cultural understanding and representation in the coloring world.