National Plan for Vacation Day – January 28, 2025

History of National Plan for Vacation Day

Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales,” published in the 14th century, contains the earliest known reference to the concept of vacation. The word ‘vacacioun’ is used in the prologue of the “Wife of Bath” chapter, which refers to spare time. Until the 19th century, the word ‘vacation’ was used by Americans the same way the English used it, meaning “vacating a place.” At the time, it referred to when teachers and students had to vacate the school premises and go out. Vacation was also seen as a sign of privilege, as it still is for so many today.

Gradually, the vacation came to include the middle class as well and started to stand for a general time of leisure and respite. One of the not-so-well-known turning points in the history of American travel occurred in 1869. A young preacher from Boston named William H.H. Murray published one of the first guidebooks ever about the wild Adirondack Mountains region. By exploring the Adirondack Mountains, which cover a massive expanse of lakes, forests, and rivers in upstate New York, Murray developed the very innovative travel idea (at the time, it was seen to be outrageous) that an excursion into the wilderness of nature could be pleasurable. This idea inspired treks and excursions where people from cities sought out the peace and quiet of the natural world.

The need for this day became especially important when survey findings revealed that Americans were not using their vacation days since 2015. This was, in turn, negatively affecting their health, relationships, and even companies.