National Wear Orange Day

Welcome to the wild and wacky world of National Wear Orange Day! This peculiar holiday has gained quite the online buzz, with a staggering 562 mentions online. It seems like everyone wants to get in on the action of wearing this vibrant color. And the pinnacle of attention came on June 6, 2020, where orange reigned supreme. So, grab your orange garments, folks, and let's dive into the fascinating history of National Wear Orange Day!

When is Wear Orange Day?

It's national wear orange day on the 6th June.

The Birth of National Wear Orange Day

Originating from a movement dedicated to raising awareness about gun violence, National Wear Orange Day is a vibrant way to make a statement. The campaign was inspired by a group of teenage friends in Chicago who wanted to honor the life of their friend, Hadiya Pendleton, who was tragically shot and killed at the age of 15. Orange was Hadiya's favorite color, and the community decided to wear this bright hue to honor her memory and advocate for change.

Since its inception, National Wear Orange Day has gained immense popularity and has spread far beyond Chicago. It has become an annual event on the first Friday in June, encouraging people to wear orange and show solidarity in the fight against gun violence.

The Internet's Obsession with Orange

While National Wear Orange Day has a serious message behind it, the internet has taken it and run with it in all sorts of hilarious and creative ways. From photoshopped images of famous landmarks draped in orange to funny memes featuring orange-clad animals, the internet has truly embraced this colorful holiday.

Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram explode with orange-themed content on National Wear Orange Day. People proudly share photos of themselves decked out head-to-toe in orange outfits, accessories, and even orange-tinted sunglasses. It's a day to go all out and show off your love for this zesty color!

Taking Orange to the Next Level

But wearing orange attire is just the tip of the orange iceberg. National Wear Orange Day has inspired a wide range of activities and events to support the cause. Communities organize rallies, walks, and fundraisers to raise awareness and honor victims of gun violence.

Additionally, organizations and businesses have hopped on the orange bandwagon, using the day as an opportunity to promote their products or services. You might find restaurants offering orange food specials, sports teams donning orange uniforms during games, or buildings illuminated in orange lights as a symbol of support.

History behind the term 'Wear Orange'

2013

Tragic Shooting Inspires Wear Orange

In the year 2013, the vibrant campaign called Wear Orange was born out of a heartbreaking event. On January 29th, Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old high school student from Chicago, was fatally shot just one week after participating in President Barack Obama's second inaugural parade. Her death sparked outrage and galvanized her friends and family to take action against gun violence.

2013

The Orange for Safety Movement

Shortly after Hadiya Pendleton's tragic death, her friends and family came up with the idea to wear orange, the color hunters wear to protect themselves, as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about gun violence. The orange color was chosen because, just like hunters stand out in nature to prevent accidents, the movement aimed to make the issue of gun violence unignorable and demand greater safety measures.

2015

National Gun Violence Awareness Day

Building upon the momentum generated by the Wear Orange movement, a group of activists, including Pendleton's friends and family, partnered with Everytown for Gun Safety to establish the first National Gun Violence Awareness Day. This day, held on June 2nd, 2015, marked the formal beginning of an annual observance to honor the victims of gun violence and advocate for stricter gun control measures.

2016

Collaboration with Influential Figures

As Wear Orange gained recognition, it garnered support from influential figures in various fields. Major celebrities, such as Julianne Moore and Anderson Cooper, joined the movement, using their platforms to amplify its message of ending gun violence. Their involvement helped raise global awareness, attracting even more participants to Wear Orange events and activities.

2019

Momentum and Reach

Over the years, Wear Orange has grown exponentially, becoming an internationally recognized movement. People from all walks of life join in wearing orange on National Gun Violence Awareness Day and throughout June, participating in rallies, community gatherings, and social media campaigns. This widespread support and visibility ensure that the conversation around gun violence prevention and firearm safety remains at the forefront of public discourse.

Did you know?

Did you know that orange is not just a color but also a fruit? The word 'orange' originally comes from the Sanskrit word for 'orange tree', which then traveled through Persian, Spanish, and French before arriving in English. So the next time you bite into a juicy orange, you can appreciate its colorful journey through history!