National Slack Day

A person lounging on a hammock, wearing comfortable clothes, surrounded by nature and enjoying a peaceful afternoon.. — National slack day illustration

Welcome to WhatNationalDayIsIt.com, your go-to source for all things national day related! Today, we're here to celebrate National Slack Day, a day dedicated to embracing relaxation and taking it easy. So sit back, let your worries float away, and let's dive into the fascinating history behind this day of ultimate chillaxation!

When is Slack Day?

It's national slack day on the 21st March.

The Origin of National Slack Day

Every once in a while, we all have those days where we just can't seem to find the energy to be productive. Well, National Slack Day recognizes that feeling and encourages us to give in to it for a day. The concept of this day originated on March 21, 2015, when the online community embraced the idea of taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Of course, there were skeptics who questioned the legitimacy of National Slack Day. Some argued that we already have weekends to relax, but National Slack Day takes relaxation to a whole new level. It's a day to truly embrace the art of doing nothing and indulge in guilt-free idleness.

How to Celebrate National Slack Day

Celebrating National Slack Day couldn't be easier or more enjoyable! Here are some ways you can fully immerse yourself in the spirit of slackness:

Cancel all your plans and clear your schedule for the day. This is your time to relax, so don't let anything get in your way!
Put on your comfiest clothes and get cozy on the couch. Snuggle up with a soft blanket, grab your favorite snack, and switch on your go-to TV show or movie.
Disconnect from the digital world for a while. Turn off your notifications, put your phone on silent, and enjoy some uninterrupted me-time.
Pamper yourself with a spa day at home. Take a long, soothing bath, give yourself a facial, or simply take a nap. The choice is yours!
Indulge in your favorite guilty pleasure without any guilt whatsoever. Whether it's binge-watching reality TV, eating an entire tub of ice cream, or spending hours playing video games, do it all with a big, satisfied smile on your face.

Did You Know?

Did you know that on the first ever National Slack Day, there was a nationwide shortage of sweatpants? People were so eager to embrace the day of slacking that stores couldn't keep up with the demand for cozy loungewear!

History behind the term 'Slack'

2009

The birth of Slack

Slack is a modern term that was created in 2009 when a team of developers at Tiny Speck, a gaming company led by Stewart Butterfield, launched a chat service for their internal communication. Initially, the tool was intended to be a part of a game they were developing, but as they started using it, they realized its potential beyond gaming. This chat service became known as 'Slack,' representing the idea of 'slackening the load' of emails and improving team communication.

14th century

Origins in Middle English

The term 'slack' originated in the 14th century in Middle English, derived from the Old Norse word 'slakr' meaning lazy or inactive. It initially referred to a lack of tension or firmness, and was used to describe loose or slackened material or clothing.

1768

The Birth of 'Slack'

The term 'slack' first appeared in the English language in 1768. Originally a noun, it was derived from the Middle English word 'slak' meaning 'slow' or 'relaxed.' It referred to a state of loose or hanging fabric, as well as the absence of tension or tightness.

1950

The Birth of Slack

The term 'slack' originated in the 1950s in the United States. It was commonly used in nautical settings to refer to the loose part of a sail that hangs down when not in use. This slack sail was kept loose to allow for adjustments to be made quickly during sailing. This concept of slack as something loose, flexible, and easily adjustable would later be applied to various contexts.

2013

Public launch and rapid growth

In August 2013, Tiny Speck officially launched Slack as a standalone product, opening it to the public. The platform gained traction quickly and soon gained popularity among startups and tech companies. It offered a user-friendly interface, powerful integrations with various productivity tools, and the ability to organize communication into channels, making it easier for teams to collaborate and stay organized.

19th century

Nautical usage

In the 19th century, 'slack' gained nautical connotations. It became a term used to describe the ease or looseness of a ship's rigging or ropes. A slack rope was one that was not fully taut, allowing for adjustment or release as needed.

19th Century

Expanding Meanings

Throughout the 19th century, the term 'slack' started to adopt a range of figurative and metaphorical meanings. It began to be used to describe someone who was lazy, indolent, or lacking in effort. Additionally, 'slack' was also employed to describe an area of weakness, easygoing behavior, or a lack of discipline.

1983

Computer Programming and Slack

In 1983, the term 'slack' also gained popularity in the world of computer programming. It was used to describe the unused memory or processing time available in a computer system. Programmers used this term to indicate the difference between the available resources and the actual resources needed to execute a task. Slack became an essential concept in optimizing computer programming and system performance.

1915

Slack as a Verb

In 1915, the term 'slack' evolved into a verb, extending its usage beyond a mere noun. As a verb, 'slack' referred to relaxing or loosening something. For instance, it could be used to describe the act of releasing tension on a rope or tightening mechanism.

2014

Funding and valuation

Slack raised significant funding in 2014, with investments from venture capital firms such as Accel Partners and Andreessen Horowitz. The funding rounds valued Slack at over $1 billion, solidifying its position as a leading player in the communication and collaboration software market.

2009

The Rise of Slack in Messaging

In 2009, a new communication platform called 'Slack' was launched. Founded by Stewart Butterfield, Eric Costello, Cal Henderson, and Serguei Mourachov, Slack aimed to revolutionize team communication and collaboration. The name 'Slack' was chosen as a nod to the concept of flexibility, adaptability, and ease of use. The platform quickly gained popularity, offering features like channels, direct messages, file sharing, and integrations with other productivity tools.

20th century

Industrial era application

During the industrial era, the term 'slack' took on a new meaning in relation to work and productivity. It referred to an idle or unproductive state, often used in phrases like 'taking slack time' or 'cutting someone some slack.' This usage highlighted the idea of giving someone leeway or leniency.

2019

Direct listing on the stock market

After years of remarkable growth, Slack decided to enter the stock market through a direct listing in June 2019. This non-traditional approach bypassed the initial public offering (IPO) process and allowed existing shareholders to sell their shares directly to the public. The direct listing marked a significant milestone for Slack, as it became a publicly traded company.

Early 21st century

Emergence of digital work culture

With the rise of digital communication and remote work in the early 21st century, 'slack' gained a new and popular meaning. In 2013, a team collaboration platform called 'Slack' was launched, which revolutionized workplace communication by providing a centralized chat system. The name 'Slack' was chosen to represent the idea of facilitating effective communication and reducing unnecessary email clutter, allowing for more focused and efficient work.

2014

The Rapid Growth of Slack

By 2014, Slack had become more than just a communication tool for small teams. It gained traction among large organizations and became a dominant player in the business communication and collaboration market. Slack's user-friendly interface, threaded conversations, and extensive app integrations made it a preferred choice for companies worldwide. Its success paved the way for the rise of similar collaboration tools in the market.

1970s

The Rise of Computing and Slack

The term 'slack' gained prominence in the 1970s with the emergence of computer programming. Programmers used 'slack' to describe the unused or unallocated memory or storage space in a computer system. This allowed for flexibility and better resource management within computer programs.

2019

Acquisition by Salesforce

In December 2019, Salesforce announced its plan to acquire Slack for $27.7 billion. This acquisition marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the term 'slack,' as the popular communication platform became part of one of the largest customer relationship management (CRM) companies in the world. The joining of these tech giants aimed to enhance productivity, teamwork, and customer experience in the increasingly digital workplace.

2009

The Birth of Slack as a Communication Tool

In 2009, Stewart Butterfield, Eric Costello, Cal Henderson, and Serguei Mourachov founded a real-time messaging platform named 'Slack.' Initially developed as an internal communication tool for their gaming company, it quickly gained popularity and eventually evolved into one of the most widely used team collaboration software in various industries.

2020

Acquisition by Salesforce

In December 2020, Salesforce, a leading customer relationship management (CRM) software company, announced its plans to acquire Slack for approximately $27.7 billion. The acquisition aimed to combine Salesforce's customer-focused tools with Slack's collaboration capabilities, creating a unified platform for businesses. This acquisition showcased the influence and impact Slack had on the digital workplace and solidified its position as a dominant player in the market.