National Scrapbooking Day

Each year on the first Saturday in May, National Scrapbooking Day invites the whole country to bring their talents together to celebrate the art of scrapbook making.

The process of journaling and recording history to remind us of the past is a story almost as old as time! The first recorded example of a scrapbook dates back to the 15th century. People cut pictures and made scrapbooks to keep recipes, landmarks, quotes, poems, history, and more. Others also use scrapbooks as a means of predicting possible futures in the store. Scrapbook, at the end of the day, is like a visual diary.

History of National Scrapbooking Day

Although there is no record of exactly when the first National Scrapbook Day was celebrated, it is celebrated on the first Saturdays of May. The scrapbooks have originated from the 15th century. People would buy special notebooks or recycle the ones they already had. Scrapbooks aren't just historical records; they have become an important part of many people's identities. Some evidence suggests that, in the 16th century, people in Europe used scrapbooks as a way to record their friendships and relationships. These types of scrapbooks are very similar to modern day yearbooks, containing everyone's signatures, best wishes, quotes, and more. College students, especially female, will document their college life.

One well-known figure as a scrapbook enthusiast was President Thomas Jefferson. During his time from 1801 to 1809, Thomas Jefferson had collected newspaper and magazine clippings that mentioned the work his administration was doing. Shortly after, with Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's invention of perpetual photography in 1826, souvenir photography with photographs became all the rage. However, the creation of photo albums, a cousin of scrapbooks, only became popular later, in 1860, when people conceived that photos should not be shared or copied to others.

In addition to putting pictures and text in scrapbooks, people will also stick miniature memorabilia on them. A very common example included, and still includes, flowers from a trip or a loved one. As the years go by, the flower will be bruised and discolored, but the memory of that particular time will remain. Mark Twain, a famous American writer and businessman, capitalized on the popularity of scrapbooks by offering notebooks with special nooks and crannies that attach to the pages for easy storage of photos and memorabilia.

Some reasons for National Scrapbooking Day being loved

• It's a remembrance of good memories

In essence, life is a box containing all the memories we have experienced - good, bad and intertwined. Capturing the good things takes us back to those times, helping us to relive those moments and the lessons we learned from them.

• It's a celebration of creativity

Taking snapshots of life and then preserving them in beautiful ways is an aesthetic many of us live by today. Human creativity has no limits. Creativity helps us to renew and preserve things new and old, giving them a new identity.

• It's a celebration of history

By preserving history, not only our own but that of the rest of the world, we are participating in making the planet a better place for future generations. Future generations can learn from our perseverance (and mistakes) to create a better life for themselves.

How to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day

• Create scrapbook

Preserve the memories you have by reviewing the photos and then jotting them down in a scrapbook. Once that scrapbook is full, you can start the next one with new memories. Enjoy the past moments.

• Reviewing a finished old scrapbook

Grab an old scrapbook or album from your attic to revisit times gone by. Relive those moments and see how far you've come today. A dose of nostalgia has never harmed anyone.

• Gather your loved ones to make a scrapbook

Be it online or offline; gather your friends and family for a souvenir photo session. Not only is the activity more enjoyable when you do it with others, but it's also a great time for all of you to reminisce and talk about your hopes for the present and the future.