Celebrate Umbrella Day Every February 10
February 10 is Umbrella Day
Today we celebrate a wondrous invention that can protect us from rain and sun–and even decorate our drinks–the umbrella. That’s right, it’s Umbrella Day.
What? You didn’t know there was such a thing? Well crawl out from under that rock (it offers much less protection than an umbrella!) and celebrate.
No matter the weather, an umbrella has a use.
Rainy? An umbrella helps you stay dry (or at least dryish).
Sunny? An umbrella can provide shade.
Shade umbrellas are especially useful at the beach, for outdoor restaurant seating, or your back deck.
And if you’re sipping a tropical drink, a little paper umbrella is practically required. How does that thing make a drink taste better, anyway?
We have no idea when umbrella day came to be, or who invented it. But no matter. Umbrellas are useful and can be stylish even. So why not celebrate them with their own day?
Umbrella Trivia
Technically a personal shade umbrella is called a parasol. They’re often made of lace or cotton and are not waterproof.
A strong, closed umbrella can be used as a walking aid/cane.
One explanation for the superstition that opening an umbrella indoors is bad luck is related to its use as sun protection. At one time, this use was much more common than today. And it was believed that opening one inside would insult the sun god.
Brolly is slang for umbrella in some countries, including Britain and Australia.
There are thousands of patents for umbrella-related inventions filed with the US Patent Office.
Umbrellas are often used in photo shoots. They can soften artificial light or shield the subject from glare.
Umbrellas as murder weapons? Well, maybe. There are some people who believe an assassin used an umbrella to inject ricin into Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov’s leg, killing him.
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this odd but fun unofficial holiday.
Ideas For Celebrating Umbrella Day
Individuals
Carry an umbrella today, and be prepared for whatever the weather throws at you. Don’t have one? Consider investing in one.
Don’t want the standard, boring umbrella? Check out the 20 Coolest Umbrellas and pick your favorite.
Have an old umbrella you don’t use any more? Turn it into a waterproof bag. Perfect for keeping your things dry on a wet day.
Watch Mary Poppins and marvel at all her umbrella can do.
Watch Gene Kelly having a great time Singin’ in the Rain with a big black umbrella (of course, it’s not keeping him too dry!):
Or maybe you’d like to watch the whole movie, also called Singin’ in the Rain.
Watch Rihanna singing Umbrella at the World Music Awards in 2007.
What else can you do with an umbrella?
Companies
If you sell any type of umbrella or parasol, promote them today.
Yes, it’s February and many areas of the country are cold and snowy. But that just means it’s the perfect time to remind people that warm weather and outdoor activities are just around the corner.
They’ll need umbrellas for the backyard seating area. Umbrellas for the beach. Umbrellas for the inevitable spring downpour.
Get creative. Everybody needs at least one umbrella!
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