Singles' Day originated in 1993 at Nanjing University in China, created by a group of undergraduate students who wanted an alternative to Valentine's Day. They chose November 11 (11/11) because the four numeral ones resemble 'bare sticks' (光棍, guānggùn), a Chinese slang term for single bachelors. What began as university dorm karaoke parties, blind dates, and eating deep-fried dough sticks (youtiao) spread rapidly across Chinese universities. In 2009, e-commerce visionary Daniel Zhang of Alibaba transformed the date into 'Double 11', creating an annual 24-hour retail festival. Today, Singles' Day has transcended retail to become a worldwide celebration of self-love, personal agency, mental wellbeing, and treating oneself with dignity.
Singles' Day originated in 1993 at Nanjing University in China, created by a group of undergraduate students who wanted an alternative to Valentine's Day. They chose November 11 (11/11) because the four numeral ones resemble 'bare sticks' (光棍, guānggùn), a Chinese slang term for single bachelors. What began as university dorm karaoke parties, blind dates, and eating deep-fried dough sticks (youtiao) spread rapidly across Chinese universities. In 2009, e-commerce visionary Daniel Zhang of Alibaba transformed the date into 'Double 11', creating an annual 24-hour retail festival. Today, Singles' Day has transcended retail to become a worldwide celebration of self-love, personal agency, mental wellbeing, and treating oneself with dignity.
