National Hanging Out Day
About National Hanging Out Day
When is National Hanging Out Day? This holiday is always observed on April 19
So, you think you found a fun day to hang out with your friends, did you? Wrong!!! National Hanging Out Day, an April 19 holiday, is about having fun hanging your laundry out to dry. Now that you know what this day is for, you’re probably thinking “I’ve been tricked (Yes, you have). This holiday should be titled “National Hang Your Laundry Day”. You are absolutely right on both accounts. We believe that the creator of this day was using word play, to have some fun on our account.
Did You Know? Electric and gas clothes dryers consume 5.8% of residential energy consumption.
National Hanging Out Day was created by Project Laundry List as a protest against local laws banning the hanging of clothes outdoors on an “ugly clothesline”. It was created to encourage people to dry their clothes, indoors or out on clothesline, and to fight for the right to do so. Project Laundry List also encourages and promotes the use of washing your laundry in cold water, for energy and environmental reasons.
For the Record:
- The earliest clothes dryers were in England and France in the 1800s.
- Early clothes dryers were called “ventilators”.
- George T. Sampson of Dayton Ohio patented the first clothes dryer on June 7, 1892. It had a rack and used heat from a stove.
- In 1955, only 10% of U.S. households had a clothes dryer, as they were too expensive for most families.
- The average household does 4-5 loads of laundry per week.
- Some communities ban hanging clothes out to dry.
Reasons to Use a Clothesline
There are many reasons to use a clothesline to dry your clothes. Among them are:
- It saves you money.
- It saves energy consumption.
- It’s environmentally “green”, as it does not use fossil fuels.
- Drying clothes on a clothesline enhances freshness and helps eliminate strong odors.
- It is gentler on clothes.
- Hanging clothes requires a little exercise on your part.
- Eliminates the risk of dryer fires.
- Many people today, have no idea what a clothesline or a clothes pin is!
How to Celebrate National Hanging Out Day
How to celebrate National Hanging Out Day:
- String up a clothesline.
- Search your basement for clothes pins.
Did You Know? Many people hang their clothes out to dry all year long, even in the dead of winter when temperatures are below freezing.
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Deep Thought for Today
“By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you will become happy. If you get a bad wife, you’ll become a philosopher.” – – Socrates
History and Origin of National Hanging Out Day
This holiday event was founded in 2007 by “Clothesline Activist” Alexander Lee. It started in protest to a growing number of local laws and regulations banning hanging clothes on “ugly clotheslines”. Lee and his organization Project Laundry List fought against these laws, citing the many benefits of hanging clothes on a clothesline and the right to do so.
We found no documentation in congressional records to confirm that this is truly a national day. Nor, did we find a presidential proclamation.
Definition of “National” Days – and why it is important to distinguish true National days.
More April 19 Holidays
Here is another April 19 holiday we are sure you will enjoy:
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Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. April holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.