May 15 - National Nylon Stocking Day

Happy National Nylon Stocking Day! Each year on May 15, we recognize the stylish variety and color available today. 

Many may not remember ever hearing the term “nylon stockings.” Varying in color, design, and transparency, a nylon stocking (also known as hose) is a close-fitting, variously elastic garment worn the same as socks or tights. 

Stockings worn before the 1890s were made of woven cloth such as cotton, linen, wool, or silk. Before the 1920s, women’s stockings were worn for warmth.   

As hemlines of women’s dresses rose in the 1920s, women began to wear stockings over their exposed legs. These 1920s stockings were sheer, made first of silk or rayon, followed by nylon after 1940. 

Chemical company DuPont’s introduction of nylon in 1939 began a high demand for stockings in the United States.  As nylon stockings were inexpensive, durable, and shear, up to 4 million pairs would be purchased each day. 

WWII and Beyond 

On February 11, 1942, as the United States entered World War II, American chemicals company DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (commonly known as DuPont)ceased production of nylon stockings.

Instead, they had switched their focus to the manufacture of parachutes, airplane cords and rope. Because of this, it created a mass shortage followed by a black market for stockings.  

At the end of World War II, DuPont resumed production of the stockings but could not meet the demand leading to nylon riots in American stores. In time, DuPont was able to increase its output. 

In the 1940s and 1950s, the first pantyhose made its appearance. Film and theater productions had stockings sewn to the briefs of actresses and dancers. 

These were even seen in popular films, most notably in the 1955 American Technicolor Hollywood musical comedy romance film 'Daddy Long Legs'. Unlike stockings, pantyhose did not require a garter belt to hold the stockings up. 

In 1959, pantyhose were introduced, providing a convenient alternative to stockings which led to a decline in their sales.   

In 1970, for the first time, sales of pantyhose in the United States exceeded stocking sales and have remained the same ever since.  

In 1987, there was a slight decline in sales in pantyhose due to the newly invented hold-ups. However, they remain the most purchased kind of hosiery. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Do you wear nylons? What’s your style? Share using #NylonStockingDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

Within their research, National Day Calendar® was unable to find the origin of National Stocking Day. 

#NylonStockingDay 

@dupontco 

@nichecinema

May 15 - National Armadillo Day

Happy National Armadillo Day! With their armor-like skin and ancient origins, these fascinating creatures definitely deserve to have a day of their own - and that's where today steps in. 

Granted, the thrill of this day has sparked online a staggering...wait for it...four times, and most noticeably on the 15th of May.

With that said, let's dive into the peculiar and oddly charming world  of armadillos and their special day. 

When is National Armadillo Day? 

It's National Armadillo Day on the 15th of May. 

Rolling into National Armadillo Day 

With a very niche yet enthusiastic fanbase, web activity related to the day peaked on May 15, 2015. Since then, it's been bit of an underground sensation. 

For a day that's gotten only four mentions online, it's surprisingly well-celebrated.

A Peak into Armadillo's History 

Let's talk about why armadillos are worth celebrating. Armadillos are one of the oldest groups of mammals; their lineage goes back to the age of dinosaurs! Their leathery armor shell and the ability to curl into a ball when threatened make these quirky little creatures so endearing to many of us.

Shelled Celebrations and Their Significance 

Amid the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, days like National Armadillo Day encourage us to appreciate the smaller, often overlooked aspects of the natural world. 

Exposing oneself to the diversity of animal species and understanding their unique characteristics expands our perspective and deepens our respect for nature and its inhabitants. So, let's raise a toast (or rather, a blog post), to our armored friends! 

History Behind the Term "Armadillo"

1519 

Spanish Encounter 

During the Spanish colonization of the Americas, the term "armadillo" originated. 

In 1519, Spanish explorers first encountered these peculiar mammals while exploring what is now Mexico. They were amazed by the armadillo's unique armored shell, which provided protection against predators.

1591 

Naming the Armadillo 

The term 'armadillo' was first used in 1591 by the Spanish physician and naturalist Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés. Oviedo named the creature 'armadillo,' which means 'little armored one' in Spanish, due to its distinctive bony plates that cover its body.

1804 

Scientific Classification

In 1804, the French naturalist and zoologist Georges Cuvier (sometimes referred to as the "founding father of paleontology"), officially classified the armadillo into the order Edentata, now known as Cingulata. This classification grouped armadillos with other toothless mammals possessing a bony armor, such as anteaters and sloths.

1860

Diverse Species

By 1860, it became evident that the term 'armadillo' not only referred to a single species but represented a diverse group of armored mammals. 

Taxonomists recognized several species of armadillos residing in different regions across the Americas, each possessing distinctive characteristics and adaptations.

20th Century

Cultural Icon

Throughout the 20th century, the armadillo became embedded in the cultural fabric of the Americas. Its unique appearance, adaptable nature, and comical behavior made it a subject of fascination, leading to its portrayal in literature, folklore, and even art. 

The armadillo's association with resilience and protection also made it a symbol in various contexts.

#NationalArmadilloDay

@WhatNDII

@nichecinema

May 15 - National Pizza Party Day

Happy National Pizza Party Day! Each year on the third Friday in May, millions of pizza lovers across the nation join in extolling the qualities of pizza today. 

Since pizza is one of America’s favorite foods, it comes as no surprise we would celebrate a day that features a pizza party.  

Pizza parties bring friends together. They’re also an excellent way to reward a team or group for a job well done.  

Birthdays and some minor achievements are also celebrated with pizza parties as well. Although, just about any excuse can be used for a good pizza party.

• • In ancient Greece, the Greeks covered their bread with oils, herbs, and cheese, which some attribute to the beginning of the pizza. 

• • In Byzantine Greek, the word was spelled “πίτα,” pita, meaning pie. 

• • The Romans developed a pastry with a sheet of dough topped with cheese and honey, then flavored with bay leaves. 

• • Our modern pizza had its beginning in Italy as the Neapolitan flatbread. 

• • The original pizza used only mozzarella cheese, mainly the highest quality buffalo mozzarella variant. It was produced in the surroundings of Naples. 

• • In 1905, the first United States pizza establishment opened in New York’s Little Italy. 

• • In 1997, an estimated two billion pounds of pizza cheese was produced in the United States! 

• • The largest pizza ever made, according to Guinness World Records™, weighed 26,883 pounds! It was made in Norwood, South Africa, on December 8, 1990. 

• • As far as pizza eating contests go, the winner goes to Kelvin Medina, who ate a 12-inch pizza in 23.62 seconds on April 12, 2015! 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

  

Come up with a reason for a pizza party and start ordering! We’ll give you a few ideas: 

• • It’s someone’s half birthday. 

• • Your car hit 84,324 miles. 

• • Your best friend found out he likes raisins. 

• • A bee flew by, and you didn’t gasp. 

• • The sun came out. 

• • Someone correctly used the word “literally” in a sentence. 

• • You woke up. 

• • Ten days without road rage. 

• • You went to the beach and your toddler didn’t eat sand. 

• • In a conversation with Snoop, he wasn’t a smarty pants. 

• • You have a conversation with Amy where she doesn’t cuss like a trucker. 

• • You write a sentence that Michele doesn’t correct the grammar. 

• • Laura asks, “Did someone say Nacho Pizza?” 

Celebrate by inviting friends and family to share a night of fun at your favorite pizzeria. 

Another way to celebrate is with a homemade pizza with fresh toppings or by having one delivered.  

Make individual pizzas so everyone can enjoy their favorite pizza. 

Order gift cards for future pizza parties to support local businesses. 

Share photos of your pizza party on your favorite social media and include #PizzaPartyDay. 

Educators and families, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for projects and ideas to #CelebrateEveryDay! 

HISTORY 

The research by National Day Calendar® has not determined the origins of National Pizza Party Day. 

#PizzaPartyDay 

@nichecinema

DATES
May 21, 2021 
May 20, 2022 
May 19, 2023 
May 17, 2024 
May 16, 2025 
May 15, 2026 
May 21, 2027 
May 19, 2028 
May 18, 2029 
May 17, 2030