National Shoe The World Day – March 15, 2022
We celebrate National Shoe The World Day every year on March 15. The day sheds light on the importance of footwear and the need for quality footwear for millions of people worldwide who can’t afford or don’t have access to it. Did you know that nearly one billion people on Earth don’t have shoes, or their footwear is inadequate? Despite difficult terrains and climates, these people walk barefoot or with poor-quality footwear. The good news is that we can all do something about it by donating, sponsoring, or gifting shoes to those who don’t have them.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL SHOE THE WORLD DAY
Food, shelter, and clothes are the basic needs of every human in this world. However, one such necessity that millions of people worldwide struggle to get is good quality footwear. From walking barefoot on hard, warm surfaces to walking in slippery, muddy jungles, many people don’t have access to footwear.
Walking without protection or barefoot can even lead to a lifetime of problems, including pain, injury, cuts, sores, infections, parasites, e.t.c. Moreover, apart from the health issues, people can get banned from schools and other business places for not wearing them, and this issue is exactly what National Shoe The World Day addresses. We might be blessed to have several pairs of shoes in our closets, but few are lucky enough to have one pair of shoes even though they are much too big for them.
National Shoe The World Day was created by the United Indigenous People in Fontana, California, inspired by Donald Zsemonadi in March 2014. Since then, people worldwide have participated in this event and helped ‘shoe’ those struggling without good quality or no footwear. For some of us, shoes might not be such a big thing to talk about and celebrate, but good shoes are still a dream for some in underdeveloped communities. So, let’s raise awareness about the importance of good shoes and act to help those in need.
NATIONAL SHOE THE WORLD DAY TIMELINE
A 5,500-year-old boat-shaped flat open shoe made from leather is found in a cave in Armenia.
New shoes of different types and colors begin to appear in Central Europe.
English chemist, William Henry Perkin, invents the first synthetic method of coloring leather and fabric called aniline dyeing to dye shoes.
The United Indigenous people in Fontana create National Shoe The World Day.
NATIONAL SHOE THE WORLD DAY FAQS
Why is proper footwear important?
Can used shoes be donated?
What to do with unwanted shoes?
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SHOE THE WORLD DAY
Change your footwear
Many health issues could arise from wearing low-quality or no footwear. If you’re dealing with any of those, it’s time to change your footwear!
Donate shoes
The best way to celebrate National Shoe The World Day is by donating shoes to those who need footwear in your world.
Share your story
If you’ve seen someone suffer without proper footwear or have personal experience, you can share your story on social media and create awareness.
5 FACTS ABOUT FOOTWEAR WE BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW
Shoes can be medical
Shoes can help correct posture in diabetic infections and many foot-related problems like Charcot’s Foot.
Sneakers are really sneakers
Sneakers got their name because the soles make no sound.
The number is 19
It is estimated that American women own 19 pairs of shoes on average.
$660,000 shoes
The red ruby shoes from the movie, “The Wizard of Oz” sold for $660,000.
Men came first
The first people to wear heels were men in the 10th century.
WHY NATIONAL SHOE THE WORLD DAY IS IMPORTANT
It is a much-needed initiative
National Shoe The World Day is a meaningful initiative that aims to put shoes on the feet of people who suffer without them.
Shoes are more important than we think
This day reminds us that shoes or any other footwear, in general, are more than just some status symbol; they are essential commodities in today’s world.
People need to know this
It is crucial to raise awareness of how wearing shoes is necessary for people and how not wearing them can cause infections and injuries. National Shoe The World Day helps educate people about this.
NATIONAL SHOE THE WORLD DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | March 15 | Tuesday |
| 2023 | March 15 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | March 15 | Friday |
| 2025 | March 15 | Saturday |
| 2026 | March 15 | Sunday |
