Happy Backwards Day, Folks!
A seemingly strange idea for a holiday, Backwards Day allows us to see a different perspective which is always helpful. Taking a view in reverse lets people observe things in a new light. We often work things out working backwards. When figuring out how long you need to get ready for school in the morning, you take your school’s starting time and work backwards. An effective method of designing something is called ‘reverse engineering’ in which the end result is envisioned and disassembled.
This day was created by Sarah Nicole Miller and Megan Emily Scott, who came up with the idea while milking cows on a farm one day. They initially came up with the day and designated January 29 for it back in 1961. Word quickly spread around their town to do things backward. The day got switched to the 31 and has only grown in popularity.
DA VINCIICNIV AD
An interesting example in history of doing things in reverse was from none other than one of the world's most well-known artists, Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci wrote backward—right to left. Not only did the artist and inventor write in the opposite direction, but he also wrote his letters backward! His hand-written letters could be properly read in a mirror.
Learn the TEBAHPLA
*ZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA* No easy feat, it could be fun to challenge yourself to try and learn the alphabet backwards. It’s so ingrained in our heads front ways that it’s difficult to unlearn that and reverse it. Can you memorize the alphabet backwards?
What’s a Palindrome?
If you don’t know what a palindrome is, just ask Mom or Dad. Or someone named Bob. Or Dr. Awkward. Or I’ll just tell you. Palindromes are words that spell the same thing backwards as they do forward. Other examples of palindromes would be ‘racecar’, ‘kayak’, and ‘level’. Phrases and sentences are acceptable palindromes as well such as ‘A man, a plan; a canal Panama’. Oddly enough the word ‘palindrome’ isn’t one itself.
However you choose to flip the script and reverse things up today, enjoy seeing things from a different perspective. Happy Backwards Day and thanks for reading. As always, Happy Camping!
- John