Sunglasses Day

Sunglasses Day is June 27

Sunglasses day is a day to celebrate the invention of sunglasses and how they have become an important part of our lives. It is also a day to raise awareness about the importance of sunglasses and how to use them properly to protect our eyes from the sun's harmful rays.

History of Sunglasses

Sunglasses have been around for centuries, with the precursors dating as far back to prehistoric times.

Snow goggles were made by the Inuit tribe to protect the eyes from the glaring sun that reflected on the ice and snow. These were made from walrus or caribou ivory and carved to fit over the eyes with narrow slits for looking through. 

Around the 12th century, glasses with a smoky crystal quartz lens was documented in ancient China which may have been more for hiding facial expressions in Chinese courts, than for sun protection.  

In the 1700s, in Venice Italy, tainted mirror-like glasses, known as gondola glasses, were worn to shield eyes from the glare of water in the canals. 

In the same century, optician James Ayscough created lenses to treat vision problems that included tinted lenses with a green or blue tint. 

The tinted glasses for treating disease gained recognition in the 19th and 20th centuries with amber and brown tinted glasses. And some writings indicate that soldiers wore sunglasses during the American Civil War to protect their eyes from the sunlight. 

The Invention of Today's Modern Sunglasses

It wasn’t until the mid 20th century when sunglasses really gained popularity. In 1929, Sam Foster introduced his Foster Grant sunglasses on the beaches of Atlantic City in America and the world has never been the same. The trend caught on and by 1938, sunglasses were more than just eye protection from the sun, they were a trend that was featured in Life Magazine. 

Celebrities started wearing stylish framed sunglasses that everyone wanted to emulate. Sunglasses quickly became a fashion accessory. 

Celebrating Sunglasses Day

Celebrate sunglasses day by showing off your favorite pair of sunglasses. It's a perfect day for a selfie! It's also a day to remind you that sunglasses are not just for fashion. With the right lenses, you can keep your eyes protected from the suns harmful rays. Sunglasses can also improve visual clarity and make your eyes more relaxed and comfortable in bright light. 

Show off your favorite sunglasses today or buy a new pair of sunglasses for yourself or for someone you love and keep your eyes healthy and happy!