National Zombie Day

Get ready to shuffle and moan because it's National Zombie Day! This super spooky day celebrates those brain-craving, flesh-eating creatures that just won't stay dead. It's a day where the undead come out to play, and we all get to put on our best zombie costumes and join the ghoulish fun!

When is Zombie Day?

It's national zombie day on the 10th October.

The Internet History of National Zombie Day

You might be surprised to learn that National Zombie Day actually has its origins in the real world rather than the virtual one. It first rose from the grave on October 10, 2015, when it received a staggering 57 online mentions. The internet was buzzing with excitement for this creepy celebration, and it quickly spread like a contagion.

Since then, National Zombie Day has become a beloved occasion for zombie enthusiasts and horror fans around the world. People gather for thrilling events such as zombie walks, where hordes of the undead take to the streets in search of fresh brains. It's a day to embrace the macabre, let out your inner zombie, and enjoy a good scare.

History behind the term 'Zombie'

1819

Origin in West African Vodou

The term 'zombie' originated in West African Vodou, a religion that blends elements of traditional African beliefs and Catholicism. In Vodou, zombies are reanimated corpses that are controlled by a sorcerer known as a Bokor. These zombies are believed to be devoid of free will and used as slaves or tools for the sorcerer's bidding.

1819

Vodou Influence

The term 'zombie' originates from the African and Afro-Caribbean spiritual belief system of Vodou. In 1819, the word 'zombi' first appeared in French accounts of the Haitian Revolution, describing a figure within Vodou tradition that is reanimated after death by a sorcerer or bokor using dark magic. These zombies were believed to be under the control of the bokor, devoid of free will, and used as slaves or for nefarious purposes.

1819

Origin of the term 'zombie'

The term 'zombie' first appeared in English in 1819 in the book 'History of Brazil' by Robert Southey. Southey mentioned the word 'zombi' in the context of Haitian folklore and described it as a supernatural being brought back to life through magic or witchcraft. This marked the earliest recorded usage of the term 'zombie' in English literature.

1871

The Early Origins

The term 'zombie' originally stems from Haitian folklore and Vodou religious beliefs. In these traditions, a zombie is a reanimated corpse brought back to life through dark magic or supernatural means. Zombies were believed to be controlled by a sorcerer or bokor and were depicted as mindless and soulless beings.

1929

Haitian Folklore

The term 'zombie' first emerged in the Haitian folklore of the early 20th century. In Haitian Creole, 'zombi' refers to the spirit of a dead person that has been reanimated. In these folktales, zombies were often depicted as soulless creatures that were controlled by a sorcerer known as a bokor.

1929

The Magic Island

In 1929, author William B. Seabrook published a travelogue titled 'The Magic Island,' which introduced the concept of zombies to a wider audience. Seabrook delved into the mystical practices of Vodou, recounting stories of zombies and contributing to the popularization of the term. His book sparked a fascination with zombies in Western culture and their depiction as mindless, undead creatures.

1929

Introduction to the Western World

The concept of zombies started to gain attention in the Western world with the publication of William Seabrook's book, 'The Magic Island.' Seabrook, an American journalist and adventurer, recounted his experiences in Haiti and introduced the term 'zombie' to a wider audience. His book described the Haitian practices of voodoo and the belief in zombies, creating fascination and intrigue among readers.

1932

Introduction to American Culture

The concept of zombies made its way into American popular culture through William Seabrook's book, 'The Magic Island.' Published in 1929, the book introduced the term 'zombi' to English-speaking audiences. Seabrook's sensationalized accounts of Haitian zombies captivated readers and laid the groundwork for the modern zombie mythology.

1932

The White Zombie film

In 1932, the film 'White Zombie' was released, introducing the concept of zombies to a wider audience. Starring Bela Lugosi, the film tells the story of a Haitian voodoo master who turns people into mindless zombies. While the zombies depicted in the film were more like slaves under the influence of voodoo rituals, it popularized the idea of zombies as reanimated corpses.

1932

American Introduction

The concept of zombies was introduced to American audiences in the book 'The Magic Island' by William Seabrook, published in 1929. Seabrook, an American journalist, explored the voodoo culture of Haiti and brought the idea of zombies to a wider audience. His book popularized the notion of reanimated corpses and helped the term gain traction outside of Haitian folklore.

1968

Modern Popularity

The modern image of zombies was cemented in popular culture with the release of George A. Romero's film 'Night of the Living Dead' in 1968. This influential movie portrayed zombies as reanimated corpses with a thirst for human flesh. The film's success spawned a whole genre of zombie movies, books, and other media, leading to the widespread popularization of zombies as a cultural phenomenon.

1968

Night of the Living Dead

The true turning point in the history of zombies came in 1968 with the release of George A. Romero's film 'Night of the Living Dead.' This low-budget horror film redefined the zombie genre, portraying the creatures as reanimated corpses hungry for human flesh. Romero's zombies were slow-moving, mindless monsters driven by an insatiable hunger. 'Night of the Living Dead' laid the foundation for the modern zombie archetype that remains popular today.

1968

The Emergence of the Modern Zombie in Film

George A. Romero's classic horror film, 'Night of the Living Dead,' released in 1968, redefined the zombie archetype. Romero's zombies were no longer mindless slaves but instead reanimated corpses driven by an insatiable hunger for human flesh. This film spawned a new era of zombie movies, creating the familiar image of the undead that persists today.

1932

White Zombie

The first significant zombie film, 'White Zombie,' was released in 1932. Directed by Victor Halperin, the movie starred Bela Lugosi as a Haitian plantation owner who turns a woman into a zombie. This film marked the beginning of the zombie genre in cinema and established many of the tropes associated with zombies, including their appearance as reanimated corpses under the control of an antagonist.

1932

White Zombie Film

The first-ever zombie film, titled 'White Zombie,' was released in 1932. Directed by Victor Halperin, the movie featured the iconic Bela Lugosi as the antagonist, who used voodoo to turn people into mindless slaves. Although not the flesh-eating zombies we commonly associate with today, this film introduced the idea of zombies as undead beings under the control of a powerful figure.

1968

The Romero Effect

In 1968, George A. Romero directed the seminal film 'Night of the Living Dead.' This low-budget horror film presented a new breed of zombies, who were hungry for human flesh and infectious in nature. Romero's depiction of mindless, reanimated corpses revolutionized the zombie genre, and his film became a cult classic, giving birth to the modern concept of zombies.

1968

Night of the Living Dead

In 1968, George A. Romero revolutionized the zombie genre with his film 'Night of the Living Dead.' This seminal work depicted zombies as flesh-eating creatures who rise from the dead due to radiation from a fallen satellite. The film introduced the idea of a global zombie outbreak and portrayed the undead as slow-moving, relentless predators. Romero's visionary approach cemented the modern zombie archetype, inspiring countless movies, TV shows, and cultural references.

2002

Zombies in Pop Culture

The 2002 film '28 Days Later' directed by Danny Boyle breathed fresh life into the zombie genre. With its fast-moving, infected 'zombies,' the film challenged traditional zombie tropes and unleashed a wave of zombie-centric entertainment. This revitalization led to the popularity of TV shows like 'The Walking Dead' and helped zombies become a cultural phenomenon.

2002

Resurgence in pop culture

The early 2000s saw a resurgence of interest in zombies within popular culture. Films like '28 Days Later' (2002) and 'Dawn of the Dead' (2004) brought new life to the genre, presenting faster and more aggressive zombies. Additionally, the hit television series 'The Walking Dead' premiered in 2010, captivating audiences with its post-apocalyptic world overrun by flesh-eating zombies. These productions contributed to the widespread popularity of zombies in contemporary media.

2002

Zombie Renaissance

The 21st century witnessed a resurgence of interest in zombies with the release of Danny Boyle's film '28 Days Later' in 2002. This British horror film depicted fast and aggressive zombies, deviating from the traditional slow-moving zombies popularized by Romero. The success of '28 Days Later' sparked a new wave of zombie-themed movies, TV shows, video games, and literature, further solidifying the term 'zombie' as a significant part of popular culture.

2002

28 Days Later

Danny Boyle's film '28 Days Later' released in 2002 incorporated fast-moving zombies infected with a rage-inducing virus, deviating from the traditional slow-moving zombies. This departure from the classic depiction revitalized the zombie genre and spurred new interpretations and variations of zombies in popular culture. The film demonstrated the enduring versatility and adaptability of zombies as a cultural symbol.

2002

Zombie Renaissance

The early 2000s marked a resurgence of zombie popularity, fueled by films like '28 Days Later' and 'Resident Evil.' These movies featured fast and aggressive zombies, deviating from the slow-moving undead depicted by Romero. The zombie genre expanded into television with the hit series 'The Walking Dead,' captivating audiences worldwide and adding a fresh twist to the zombie narrative.

2020

Zombies Go Global

In recent years, zombies have transcended Western culture and gained popularity worldwide. From Asian zombie films like 'Train to Busan' to video games like 'Resident Evil' developed in Japan, the zombie phenomenon has proven its global appeal. The term 'zombie' has become a ubiquitous part of popular culture, representing everything from mindless hordes to metaphors for societal decay.

Did you know?

Did you know that the word 'zombie' originates from Haitian folklore? In Haitian Creole, 'zombi' means 'spirit of the dead.' So, next time you see a zombie, remember that they've got a rich cultural history behind their undead existence!