Although few people realize it, bowling is one of the oldest sports in history. A form of it has been traced back 7,000 years to ancient Egypt. Around 5,000 B.C., ancient Egyptians played a sport where round stones were rolled down a lane to knock over objects at the other end.

Since then, countless millions of people have enjoyed this sport and the camaraderie and health benefits it offers. Now, everyone can celebrate this sport on the second Sunday in August—a day known as National Bowling Day.

The History of National Bowling Day

Although bowling is thousands of years old, the holiday to celebrate it has only been around for a few decades. The inspiration for the day was originally an event that started in 1956 by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America with help from NBC and the General Cigar Company.

This event was originally held to raise money for the American Red Cross through the participation in bowling tournaments that occurred all over the U.S. After that first event, another one was never held, but many years later, it did inspire someone to start National Bowling Day—a day that has been celebrated ever since.

The History of Bowling

As we’ve mentioned earlier, bowling is a sport that started approximately 7,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. However, that version of the game is quite different from what’s played today. That’s because, over the years, bowling has evolved through several iterations.

In Germany, a smooth stone was rolled down an alley with wooden batons known as Kegels. Ninepins was a game that was played in colonial America and is often considered the British equivalent of bowling. Some historians believe that games such as bocce were early predecessors to modern American bowling.

In 1905, the game began to resemble the game that’s enjoyed today. This game was played with a rubber bowling ball and wooden pins. Right before this new ball was invented, most people who played ninepins used balls made out of wood. Nowadays, modern bowling balls are made of plastic, reactive resin, or urethane.

How to Observe National Bowling Day

One of the best ways to observe this holiday is by heading out to the lanes and enjoying a few frames. A person can go by themselves to sharpen their game or can play the sport with friends, family, or coworkers.

On this day, bowling alleys all over the country usually offer discounts to encourage people to come out and play. Anyone participating in National Bowling Day can also use the hashtag #NationalBowlingDay to talk about the game or to post pictures of their favorite alley or bowling ball.