Whenever a person thinks of hammocks, they tend to think about relaxing under their favorite tree in their backyard or maybe lounging between two palm trees on a tropical beach somewhere. In other words, just by thinking of a hammock, a person can instill feelings of tranquility in themselves. And that alone is a good reason for someone to celebrate July 22nd as National Hammock Day. After all, we could all use a little bit of tranquility in our lives.

The History Of Hammocks

National Hammock Day was invented in 2008, but we’re not sure exactly who invented it, so we’ve decided to go over the history of the hammock instead. It’s believed that the hammock was first used in Athens during the 5th century B.C., but that’s only because an Athenian politician is said to have had his galley bed hung from ropes while on a ship. No one is really sure if this was an actual hammock or more like a sling used for sleeping.

It is known that hammocks were used by Native Americans in North America. This is known because Spanish colonists noted this fact at the time of the Spanish conquest. People in North America and the West Indies used hammocks to raise themselves off the ground while sleeping, so they weren’t exposed to insects. These hammocks were woven from tree bark or, in some areas, sisal fiber—the fibers from the agave plant. During the late 16th century, European navies began to adopt hammocks for use on sailing ships.

Facts About Hammocks

We wanted to do a more comprehensive dive into hammocks with our discussion of National Hammock Day. That’s because the hammock might seem like a simple invention, but there’s actually a lot more history and tradition behind it than most people think. Let’s take a look at some of the most fascinating things we’ve discovered about hammocks.

• The world’s highest hammock was suspended 492 feet high and draped over a canyon in Utah.
• The Utah canyon hammock was operational for a week and was a big hit with base jumpers.
• People are taking plastic grocery bags once considered trash and turning them into hammocks.

Celebrating National Hammock Day

In our humble opinion, the best way to enjoy National Hammock Day is by making yourself a nice drink—preferably something fruity—and lounging in a hammock. This can be a hammock that you have in your backyard or one that you string up at a local park or beach. It’s also a good day to learn a little bit more about hammocks. No matter how you celebrate this holiday, however, be sure to use the hashtag #NationalHammockDay on social media to let everyone know that you’re kicking back in style.