World Redhead Day

If you've got red hair, it's your time to celebrate because World Redhead Day is May 26th every year.

What's the first thing you notice about someone? Is it their pearly white skin, piercing blue or their color and hairstyle? Today we celebrate together red-haired girls near and far. May 26th is World Redhead Day, an annual occasion created by the Queen's Holidays.

History of World Redhead Day

Nowadays, redheads are celebrated around the world. Red is the rarest hair color, only 2% of the world population has this hair color. Most redheads are of northern or western European origin. The highest percentage of redheads came from Scotland, followed by Ireland.

Besides celebrating red hair, the day also raises awareness of the stigma associated with red hair and the discrimination redheads sometimes face. Redheads are often stereotyped as having a short temper. There's even Kick a Ginger Day, which has caused some kids to be bullied. In ancient Greece, some redheads were considered vampires. Many redheads were killed in Europe between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries because they were associated with witchcraft.

Red hair is caused by a mutated MC1R gene. If both parents carry the gene - even if they themselves don't have red hair - their child has a one in four chance of being born with red hair. People with red hair actually have less hair on their heads. The average redhead has 90,000 hairs on their head, while blondes have about 110,000 and brunettes have 140,000. However, redheads lack nothing in terms of how much they make up for in thickness, as red hairs are thicker than hairs of other colors. Red hair also holds its pigment strongly; it is very difficult to dye red hair a different color unless it is bleached first.

Most people with red hair also have brown eyes, although a few have blue eyes. There are also some indications that people with red hair are more likely to be left-handed. People with red hair may also be more sensitive to heat and cold and to pain during surgery. As redheads go through life, their hair begins to turn gray, turning blonde, then white, but never gray. Given the beauty and uniqueness associated with redheads, it's only fitting that the world honors them today.

How to celebrate World Redhead Day

Celebrate all the redheads in your life today! Maybe your best friend is a redhead, or maybe the hair color is popular in your family. Maybe you're even making yourself red. In that case, today is for you! You can also use this day to raise awareness of stereotypes associated with red hair and remind young people that bullying is not acceptable because of their hair color. Other ways to celebrate the day are to learn about famous redheads or plan a trip to Australia's Ginger Pride Rally.