National Red Head Day

A group of diverse redheads walking through a picturesque park, with one redhead wearing a vintage dress and another sporting a trendy hipster outfit.. — National red head day illustration

Copper tops, carrot tops, or simply firecrackers. However you refer to them, redheads are certainly something to celebrate. National Redhead Day brings a particular zest to the calendar, promising a day of fiery fun. But why wait for the day itself? Grab your favorite flame-haired friend and let's gingerly walk through the history of this festive day.

When is Red Head Day?

It's national red head day on the 5th November.

A Flaming History

The hustle and bustle of online chatter indicates that the most significant spike in appreciation for our red-headed friends occurred on 5th November, 2016. While shrouded in some multicolored mystery, our data suggests that this day was marked by a fiery blaze of online activity that toasted the unique beauty and rarity of red hair.

Passion and Celebration

The celebration of redheads is a relatively recent phenomenon. Red-haired individuals make up a minuscule 2% of the world's population. Yet, their striking feature, whether natural or aided by a trusty bottle, often sets them apart, making them the flame in the crowd.

How the Party Started

Redhead Day appears to have resulted from a potent mix of online dalliances, memes, and sincere appreciation for the particularly vibrant hue. In this regard, the internet played a crucial role in amplifying the celebration of this day. As the world's users connected online, redheads were elevated from 'different' to the 'daringly dazzling'.

Why November?

Perhaps it's no coincidence that this day is celebrated in November. Autumn, with its signature palette of fiery reds and oranges, seems to form the perfect backdrop to honor our crimson-haired compatriots.

History behind the term 'Red Head'

1597

The first written use of 'red head'

The term 'red head' was first recorded in 1597 in a play called 'Henry IV' by English playwright William Shakespeare. In Act II, Scene 4, one of the characters refers to another as a 'redheaded animal' in a derogatory manner. This is the earliest known written reference to the term.

19th century

Association with fiery temperament

In the 19th century, the term 'red head' became associated with a fiery and passionate temperament. This stereotype was perpetuated in literature, art, and culture. Redheads were often portrayed as wild, unpredictable, and hot-tempered individuals.

1865

Creation of the 'Redhead Day' festival

In 1865, the first 'Redhead Day' festival was held in the Netherlands. This annual event celebrates redheaded individuals and aims to create a positive environment that embraces red hair and challenges stereotypes. The festival includes various activities, such as music, art exhibitions, and social gatherings.

20th century

Redheads in popular culture

Throughout the 20th century, redheads gained visibility and became more prominent in popular culture. Redheaded characters were featured in novels, comic books, films, and television shows, often portraying a wide range of personalities and traits. This increased representation helped to diversify the perception of redheads beyond the fiery stereotype.

2005

International Redhead Day

In 2005, 'International Redhead Day' was established, expanding the celebration beyond the Netherlands. This day is observed annually on the first weekend of September and encourages people around the world to appreciate and embrace the uniqueness of red hair.

Did you know?

Did you know that less than 2% of the world's population has naturally red hair? Yet, they can celebrate knowing there's a special day dedicated solely to them!