National Oxygen Day

Person taking a deep breath of fresh air in a peaceful outdoor setting, surrounded by lush greenery and wearing comfortable outdoor attire.. — National oxygen day illustration

Hey there, oxygen aficionados! Get ready to take a deep breath as we dive into the wonderful world of National Oxygen Day. This is the day where we celebrate and appreciate the very air we breathe, because let's face it, life without oxygen would just be... well, breathless.

When is Oxygen Day?

It's national oxygen day on the 29th September.

The Origins of National Oxygen Day

Every year on National Oxygen Day, we pay tribute to the essential gas that keeps us alive. But how did this day come to be? Well, back in the early days of the internet, a group of scientists and oxygen enthusiasts realized that oxygen, despite being the most abundant element on our planet, often goes unnoticed and underappreciated. And so, National Oxygen Day was born.

The first official celebration took place on September 29, 2018, and since then, the internet has been buzzing with excitement, with 42 online mentions detected on that very day. Oxygen lovers worldwide have been taking to social media to express their gratitude for the invisible life-giving gas.

Why Should We Celebrate Oxygen?

Now, I know what you're thinking. Oxygen? It's just... well, there. But hold your breath! (Not literally, though. Let's not get too carried away.) Oxygen plays a vital role in our lives, and without it, we simply wouldn't exist. It's the stuff that keeps our lungs going, our hearts pumping, and our brains thinking (well, most of the time). In fact, oxygen makes up about 21% of the Earth's atmosphere. So take a moment today to appreciate the oxygen around you and give it a little thank you. Go on, I'll wait...

Fun Fact: Oxygen and Fire

Did you know that oxygen is not only essential for life, but it also has a bit of a fiery side? Oxygen is a key component in combustion, which is just a fancy way of saying it helps things burn. So the next time you see a flame dancing in the wind, remember that it's the oxygen fueling that mesmerizing display.

History behind the term 'Oxygen'

1662

Discovery of a new gas

In 1662, a British scientist named Robert Boyle discovered a gas that could support combustion better than normal air. He called this gas 'spiritus igneo-aereus,' which means 'fiery-air spirit' in Latin. This gas was later identified as oxygen.

1774

Identification of oxygen

In 1774, a Swedish chemist named Carl Wilhelm Scheele independently discovered this previously observed gas and called it 'fire air.' However, his discovery was not widely known as he did not publish his findings until 1777, after the English chemist Joseph Priestley had already published his own discovery of the gas under the name 'dephlogisticated air.'

1777

Naming oxygen

In 1777, the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier recognized the importance of the gas and conducted various experiments to study its properties. He realized that 'dephlogisticated air' was not actually devoid of phlogiston (an outdated theory of combustion), but rather a vital component in supporting life and combustion. Lavoisier proposed the name 'oxygen,' derived from the Greek words 'oxy' meaning 'acid' and 'genes' meaning 'forming,' to reflect its role in the formation of acids.

1783

Acceptance of the term oxygen

The term 'oxygen' gained widespread acceptance in the scientific community after Lavoisier's publication of 'Traitè èlèmentaire de chimie' (Elementary Treatise of Chemistry) in 1783. Lavoisier's groundbreaking work not only provided a clear explanation of the role of oxygen in combustion but also revolutionized the field of chemistry, establishing oxygen as a fundamental element.

Did you know?

Oxygen not only keeps us alive but also helps fuel the flames of a bonfire! So next time you're roasting marshmallows, thank oxygen for making it possible.