June 17 is National Flip Flop Day
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FLIP FLOP DAY
Flip flops have been around for many years. While the earliest recorded sandals come from Egypt, all cultures during Ancient times had their own variant of this footwear. The sandals worn by the Ancient Greeks and Romans had the strap between the second and third toe, Mesopotamians’ sandals showed the strap resting between the first and second toe, and the Indian ‘chappals’ used a knob in place of the strap. These olden versions were made from a variety of materials – papyrus leaves, palm leaves, leather, wood, rice straw.
The design of the modern-day sandal is inspired by the Japanese ‘zori.’ The Encyclopedia of History of Japanese Manners and Customs states Japanese children used these flip flop-type shoes when first learning to walk. Returning Americans brought the zori back from Japan at the end of the Second World War, as novelty items for loved ones.
The world owes the popularity of the current sandal to the Japanese too. During World War II, Japan took over much of Southeast Asia’s natural resources, including rubber. After their defeat during the war, they looked to this resource (and its ability to create cheap yet successful clip flops) to boost their flagging economy.
Over time, natural materials gave way to artificial materials, and the design changed to a modern look. These new, colorful, snazzy flip-flops began being used exclusively in informal settings. The increasing popularity brought this humble sandal to the mainstream, and it then began to be used in semi-formal events too. A special country responsible for changing flip-flops culture was Brazil; this inexpensive footwear was immensely popular there, and even supermodels and actors wore them on the red carpet!
To celebrate their tenth anniversary, American restaurant chain, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, created the unofficial holiday they dubbed ‘National Flip Flop Day.’ Everyone who comes into their participating stores wearing flip flops gets a free Jetty Punch Smoothie. The proceeds of these sales go to the Camp Sunshine program. Based in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine offers respite and support to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
The Dollar Tree has flip flops for only $1.25
So put your flip flops on and have a great weekend!
