National Underground America Day

National Underground America Day is an American holiday dedicated to life underground. It not only honors the concept of future life scenarios (due to significant environmental degradation, nuclear war, etc.), but also celebrates those who have transformed basements into workspaces, creative rooms, and more. The holiday is observed annually on May 14.

History

The history of National Underground America Day dates back to 1974, when Malcolm Wells took the initiative to create the holiday. Wells was an architect, passionate composer, and lecturer who shared his knowledge of architecture and the world with his students.

He justified the idea of building underground homes as a responsible approach to preserving the planet. Such homes have the advantage of reducing damage to natural landscapes, which often occurs during the construction of conventional above-ground structures.

This holiday offers a great opportunity to reflect on how life might change in the future. It’s also a chance to tidy up your basement or even transform it into a living space.

Interesting Facts

• A global environmental disaster or nuclear war are two of the main reasons that could drive humanity to live underground.
• In ancient times, people often built homes partially buried in the ground, especially hunters.

How to Celebrate

If you have your own basement, take the time to go down there, organize it, or set it up as a workspace or relaxation area. You could even consult with professional interior designers to turn your gray basement into a luxurious room.

Share the holiday on social media and ask others how they use their basements.

When is National Underground America Day in 2025?

National Underground America Day is observed on May 14 each year.

Observations