National Button Day
National Button Day:
Celebrated annually every November 16th, the National Button Day is dedicated to celebrating buttons and everything about them. It’s the right day to honor its varied function, makers, and the fun hobby of collecting buttons.
Year | Date | Day | Where |
2020 | 16th November | Monday | United States |
2021 | 16th November | Tuesday | United States |
2022 | 16th November | Wednesday | United States |
Twitter Hashtags:
#NationalButtonDay
#ButtonDay
Related: Other National Days Celebrated on November 16th:
Why National Button Day?
Buttons are commonly found in our clothing and yet it simply skips our mind to think about their important functions in everyday life.
Buttons have various functions other than just keeping our clothes perfectly together, not denying that it is an important function. They have been used for decorative and gaming purposes as well.
Some people just like to collect buttons for their sparkle and cuteness and others collect signature buttons that have been somehow important to them.
Buttons are adored by many as they come in different materials, patterns, designs, and sizes.
The origin of buttons can be traced back to 2800 BC where shells were used for making ornaments and seals. However, the buttonholes with buttons as fasteners first emerged in Germany and there on spread to Europe. The buttons were made using the popular materials available during that period. Today, we can see buttons mostly made of plastic, metal, wood, or seashells.
The buttons can be found in various shapes, typically being round, other shapes are used for casual fastenings or to give a stylish appeal. Many artisans now use animals, insects, or movie icons to attract different age groups.
The U.S. is home to many button collectors, from collecting buttons for future use to casual collectors and competitive collectors.
Thus it shouldn’t be surprising that the National Button Society was founded after the Hobbies Magazine conducted a hobby show in 1938 and found many participants to be button collectors and thus the National Button Day.
How Can We Observe National Button Day?
- Wear buttoned attire
There are many ways to celebrate this day, you could start by wearing a buttoned attire to school or work today!
- Start collecting buttons
If you like buttons and didn’t have a chance to collect buttons before, you can observe the day, by collecting your first set of buttons either from your old shirts or get a few nice ones from the store!
- Show your button collection on Social Media
If you have already been collecting Buttons share your collection on Social Media using hashtags #NationalButtonDay and #ButtonDay
- Become a member of the National Button Society
If you want to show your love for buttons, you may become a member of the National Button Society too!
- Attend a local button show
If your state has a button society, consider attending it today to celebrate the National Button Day!
- Visit a buttons museum
Use this day to visit a local museum that displays their button collection! A few museums have an online display too such as the Victoria & Albert Museum, Hammond Turner & Sons, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian among many others.
- Craft your way with buttons!
If you love designing or making crafts, use buttons to make a unique craft today! You could make anything from greeting cards, posts to toys depending on the colors and size of the buttons! You may look up the internet for other activities too.
- Learn to sew a button!
Another best and productive way to celebrate your love for buttons is by learning to sew on of them. You never know, when this skill might come in handy!
Interesting Facts About National Button Day:
Enjoy these fun facts surrounding Buttons as you celebrate the National Button Day!
- In the ancient days, buttons were used as ornaments rather than as fasteners
- The first buttons with buttonholes emerged in Germany during the 13th century and spread to Europe
- Men shirts have buttons placed on their right and the women have buttons placed on the left. There is a difference because mostly men dressed themselves using their right hands and the wealthy women were usually dressed with the help of maidens and the left side position of the buttons was necessary for doing it easily. The pattern is still followed today!
- The oldest ever button is found in Pakistan
- The Waterbury Button Company has been the largest button manufacturer since 1812.
- New York is home to the largest button in the world
- Joseph Coors Jr. created the indestructible diamond Z button which obviously must last longer and expensive
History Of National Button Day:
The inception date of the National Button Day is not known. Our research did not reveal any specific reasons for choosing to observe the National Button Day on November 16th.