Little Red Wagon Day
Little Red Wagon Day celebrates little red toy wagons. Toy wagons, which are similar in structure to their larger counterparts, were invented in the late 19th century, and were originally made of wood. They have an open top, can usually comfortably seat one child, often have a pull handle in front, and are usually red. Famous brands include Red Rider, Northern Tool and Equipment, Lowe's, Cardinal, Speedway Express, and Radio Flyer, which is most associated with the little red wagon.
The company that would become Radio Flyer was started by Antonio Pasin in Chicago. Pasin started making wagons in 1917 while working as a craftsman selling phonograph cabinets. Customers noticed the wagons he carried his tools around in, and started asking to buy them as well. After enough people requested the wagons, he shifted his focus to them. He formed the Liberty Coaster Company in 1923, and began making metal wagons out of stamped steel in 1927. In 1930 the company was renamed Radio & Steel Manufacturing, and soon afterwards began making the Radio Flyer wagon. The Radio Flyer was named in tribute to Guglielmo Marconi, who helped invent the radio, and Charles Lindbergh, who in 1927 made the first solo, nonstop airplane flight across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1987 the company changed its name to Radio Flyer in tribute to its popular little red wagon.
Besides being made of steel and wood, little red wagons may also be made of plastic or other materials. Wheels can be made of hard plastic or rubber, or can be air tires. Handles can vary in shape and style. Wagons can also be used for outdoor projects, but wagons made specific for this purpose are usually not red.
How to Observe Little Red Wagon Day
If you have a little red wagon, celebrate the day by pulling it around. You could use it for yard work, or if you have children or grandchildren you could pull them around. If you don't have a little red wagon this is a good day to buy one!