Students Celebrate National Short Person Day

December 22nd marks National Short Person Day. The day, although not known who created it, aims to celebrate the people who are considered short in America and other countries.

It can be noted by National Today that National Short People Day for girls is December 21st as most females are shorter than males due to bone growth and estrogen. There is also International Dwarfism Awareness Day on October 25th which aims to spread awareness for people with dwarfism, an extreme shortness in people often due to genetics or a medical condition. 

The qualifications of being short have changed over time, also according to National Today. The current average height for females in America is 5 feet 5 inches while for males it is 5 feet and 10 inches. 

“I’m 6 feet 2 inches,” says senior Daniel Payne. “It has its advantages. It can be annoying if I have to accommodate for short people–we live in a society for short people.”

National Today further notes that in China females average at 5 feet 2 inches and males at 5 feet 6 inches. In some countries, what Americans may consider short can be considered tall. Likewise, they note that an emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, was 5 feet 7 inches tall, yet was considered to be a short man. Measurements can also affect this; in France, Bonaparte was read as 5 feet 2 inches due to their measurements. 

National Today states, “Considering the average young adult is healthier than their ancestors 100 years ago, it makes sense that today’s adults are about 5% taller.” 

To accommodate short people, inventions have been created. High heels and platform shoes became more popular in the 1500s, specifically for those who were wealthy and in power, such as the Royal Family in England. 

The advantages of being short, cited from Days of the Year, can include comfort in compact places, such as airplanes or cars; always sitting in the front row; rarely finding themselves hitting their heads on things.  

Days of the Year also notes some films which show short-person representation, including Tiptoes and Willow. While representation is seen, short people can also be found as the punchlines for many jokes. 

The day, however, intends to highlight the good things about being short and make short individuals feel comfortable and confident in their size.