National Knee Day

A smiling person with athletic apparel on, surrounded by a group of diverse individuals participating in various knee exercises at a park.. — National knee day illustration

Welcome to the bizarre and wonderful world of National Knee Day! So, you might be wondering, what's the deal with knees? Well, get ready to stretch those legs and join us as we dive into the rich history and quirks of this peculiar day.

When is Knee Day?

It's national knee day on the 22nd October.

A Brief History of National Knee Day

Believe it or not, National Knee Day actually originated from an internet meme gone wild! Like many obscure holidays, it first gained traction on social media, with people sharing humorous photos and stories about their knees. Before it knew it, National Knee Day had become an annual celebration, a day to appreciate those bony joints that help us walk, run, and do all sorts of knee-bending activities.

But why knees, you ask? Well, the knees have long been a subject of fascination. From silly knee-related injuries to knee-slapping jokes, there's just something about these hinge joints that tickles our funny bone.

How to Celebrate National Knee Day

There are endless ways you can honor your knees on this glorious day. Here are a few suggestions:

Organize a knee-friendly workout session with friends or loved ones. Squats, lunges, and knee stretches, oh my!
Indulge in a knee-themed treat, like kneecap-shaped cookies or a knee-jerk reaction cake.
Get sporty and take part in a knee-intensive activity, such as soccer, basketball, or knee wrestling (yes, it's a thing).
Give your knees a break and pamper them with a relaxing knee massage or a warm bath.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the longest recorded time spent kneeling on one knee is a whopping 8 hours and 40 minutes? This impressive feat was accomplished by a dedicated kneel-enthusiast who wanted to demonstrate their knee-stamina for the world to see. Talk about taking National Knee Day to the extreme!

History behind the term 'Knee'

725 The Charming Old English Beginning

The term 'knee' finds its roots back in Old English as 'cneo'. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'knewam', meaning knoll or rounded object. The Old English word evolved to become 'kneow' before eventually settling into its current form 'knee'.

1375

Fashionably High Knees

During the late Middle English period, knee-high boots became the height of fashion. These boots covered the leg up to the knee, giving rise to the phrase 'knee-high'. The term soon became popular beyond the realm of fashion and started being used to describe anything that reached or covered the knee level.

1589

Bending the Knee

The expression 'bend the knee' emerged during the Elizabethan era in England. It referred to the act of kneeling or genuflecting before royalty or other figures of authority as a sign of submission, respect, or loyalty. This phrase became deeply ingrained in the culture as a symbol of obedience and deference.

1893

Anatomy Meets Nomenclature

In 1893, Sir Henry Gray, an English anatomist, published the famous Gray's Anatomy textbook. This comprehensive reference work described the human knee joint and its associated structures in great detail. The publication of Gray's Anatomy solidified the term 'knee' as the standard nomenclature for the joint connecting the thigh and the lower leg.

1963

Taking a Knee for Protest

In the mid-20th century, the act of kneeling took on a new cultural significance. During the civil rights movement, protesters began kneeling as a form of non-violent protest against racial injustice and inequality. Later, athletes also adopted the gesture of taking a knee during the national anthem to raise awareness about social and racial issues.