National Hat Day
About National Hat Day
When is National Hat Day? This holiday is always observed on January 15
National Hat Day, a January 15 holiday, exists to encourage you to wear and enjoy the headwear of your choice and style. Isn’t it great that millinery comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles? There’s one to fit every size head and personality, too. Most people wear them. And, some people wear them all of the time. As a result, they own many head toppers.
Hats are used to make a statement or to promote a cause or a product. Back in 1797, the introduction of the Top Hat almost caused a riot. It was first worn by James Heatherington in London England. As Heatherington strolled through the streets of London, England displaying his Top Hat, crowds gathered. Some people began to push and shove. Heatherington was fined for “going about in a manner that frightened timid people”. Apparently, that is a law in London.
Oh yeah… headwear has practical uses, too. For example, helmets offer safety protection. Some hats keep your head warm or the sun out of your eyes….how boring.
National Hat Day is not intended to just keep your noggin warm. It’s a chance to make a statement and display your favorite headgear. We suggest you wear several different hats over the course of the day.
Did you know? More body heat is lost from your head than other parts of the body. So, wearing a woolen cap, or any kind of head covering, goes a long way towards staying warm on a cold winter’s day (or night).
National Hat Day Trivia and Fun Facts
Spend a little time today under that hat of yours while browsing this trivia:
- “Hatters” are men who sell hats. “Milliners” are women who sell them.
- Head coverings or headgear could be as old as 170,000 years!
- However, the first reference to a hat was not until 15,000 years ago, B.C. It was found on a cave painting in Lussac-les-Chateaux , France.
- Panama hats originated in Ecuador. Surprise, surprise.
- Women originally wore fedoras. It was named after Princess Fédora Romanoff from the play Fédora by the French author Victorien Sardou.
- The term “Mad as a Hatter” came from the fact that many hatters suffered from mercury poisoning. The process of making felt hats used mercury.
- Wearing a dunce cap was once a sign of wisdom. Funny how things have changed.
- In the middle of 19th century, baseball umpires wore top hats during the game.
- Vikings never wore hats. But, they wore helmets.
- There are 79 known synonyms for this word. Some of the more interesting ones are lid, Tam O’Shanter, skimmer, and Stove Pipe.
If you enjoyed this trivia, don’t keep it under your hat. Rather, share with your friends a little of the trivia you learned here today.
How to Participate in National Hat Day
- Go out in public in style today with your best hat.
- We dare you to go out wearing a Top Hat.
- Add to your collection of headgear. Go to a haberdashery and buy a new headpiece. A new beret, bonnet, fedora, or baseball cap to place upon your pate.
- Do a Mexican Hat dance.
- If you are a magician, pull a rabbit out of your hat.
Today's Quote
“If you don’t get out of the box you’ve been raised in, you won’t understand how much bigger the world is.” – – Angelina Jolie
History and Origin of National Hat Day
Without a doubt, a hat-loving individual or group created this holiday.
There is no evidence to suggest that this is truly a “National” day, which requires an act of Congress or a presidential proclamation.
If you have any information about this holiday, please email us.
Definition of “National” Days – Learn why it is so important to distinguish and identify true national days.
This Day in History
Here are some things that happened on January 15:
- The Pentagon opens. It is the world’s largest office building at 6.5 million square feet. (1943)
- Happy Days premieres on television. (1974)
- Drew Brees, NFL New Orleans Saints quarterback was born on this day in 1979.
More January 15 Holidays
In addition to National Hat Day, here is another January 15 holiday for you to celebrate and enjoy:
More About Today
Recipe of the Day: Banana Cream Pie
Flower of the Day: Money Tree
This Day in History – Indeed, many other important events occurred on this date. See what happened on this date in history.
Famous Birthdays – Did you ever wonder what famous people share your birth date? If so, then find out now!
Ecards Send a free Ecard for National Hat Day or just about any calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Certainly, it’s fun for both the sender and the recipient.
Holiday Insights, where every day in January is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? In addition to National Hat Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. Many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. January holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great care to thoroughly research and document the details of each one as completely and accurately as possible.