Did you know that although hundreds of people celebrate Red Friday every week throughout North America, its exact origins are still a mystery? From a viral email to Canadian military family support, the real story of RED Friday has layers that most people never hear about.
Quick answer: RED Friday isn't a single date—it happens every Friday, year-round. Its origin traces back to a 2005 U.S. email chain, later adopted and popularized in Canada in 2006. Read the full story below.
In this article, we'll dig into exactly when RED Friday started, how the tradition spread, and why it's become such a powerful weekly ritual for military families. (Looking for what RED Friday means and why it matters? Read our full guide to the meaning behind RED Friday here.)
How and When Did R.E.D. Friday Start? A Look at Its Origin Stories
There are 2 main stories about how RED Friday began, each of which helps shape the continual growth of this meaningful tradition. While the exact origins of the movement remain unclear, these stories show each of the ways that R.E.D. Friday grew in popularity over time.
Email Chain Origin (2005)
One of Red Friday's most famous origins can be traced back to an email chain that circulated in 2005. At the time, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were in full swing. U.S. troops were being deployed in large numbers, particularly to Iraq, which had been a conflict zone since 2003.
Amid rising concerns for deployed soldiers and their families, at that time, an email began to spread with a call to action: wear red on Fridays as a sign of support for those serving overseas.
The email read: "If every one of our members shares this with other acquaintances, fellow workers, friends, and neighbors, I guarantee that it will not be long before the USA will be covered in RED — and make our troops know there are many people thinking of their well-being. You will feel better all day Friday when you wear RED!"
This message tapped into a strong desire among military families to express their gratitude to deployed troops, especially in times of conflict. It encouraged people to not only wear red but also share the message with their neighbors. While the actual sender is unknown, the email had made a big impact, helping to spread the Red Friday tradition across the United States.
Canadian Influence (2006)
Inspired by the 2005 American email campaign, Lisa Miller and Karen Boire, the wives of two Canadian servicemen decided to adapt the idea to show support for Canadian troops. They suggested on their website, MarriedToTheCanadianForces.com, that Canadians wear red every Friday to demonstrate their support for the country's military, especially those serving in Afghanistan.
Their campaign rapidly gained traction among military families and citizens. The color red, which is strongly associated with Canadian identity, contributed to the movement's impact and resonance in this country.
The "Red Fridays" movement in Canada reached its peak on September 23, 2006, when thousands of people wearing red gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The gathering, led by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was one of the most visible displays of mutual support for Canadian soldiers.
While many viewed the campaign as a way to support Canada's military efforts in Afghanistan, others took it as a broader way to express thanks to all Canadian soldiers serving abroad, regardless of their mission. The Red Friday tradition, on the other hand, continues to thrive, showing support for the military's sacrifices and expressing a visible "thank you" to those who serve the country.
From Email Chain to Weekly Tradition: How RED Friday Grew
What started as two separate grassroots efforts—an anonymous email in the U.S. and a spouse-led campaign in Canada—eventually merged into one shared weekly tradition observed across North America. Today, RED Friday isn't tied to any single organization or official holiday calendar; it's kept alive entirely by military families, veterans, and supporters choosing to wear red every Friday, year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions About RED Friday's Origin
When did RED Friday start?
RED Friday traces back to a 2005 email chain in the United States, later adopted and popularized in Canada starting in 2006.
Is RED Friday every Friday?
Yes. RED Friday is a weekly tradition observed every Friday, all year round—not a single fixed date.
Did RED Friday start in the U.S. or Canada?
The tradition is believed to have started with a U.S. email chain in 2005, then was independently popularized in Canada by military spouses in 2006.
How to Support Red Friday in Today's World
Now that we've looked at the two different origins of Red Friday, it's clear that they all have the same goal: to support deployed service members and raise awareness of their sacrifices. Even though it can be difficult to keep up this tradition in today's fast-paced society, it is critical that we continue to uphold it. Each of these stories highlights community and appreciation, which are as important today as they were in the past. (Want to know more about why this tradition matters so much to military families today? Read the full meaning behind RED Friday here.)
Check out our latest Remember Everyone Deployed T-shirts here.
Wearing red on Fridays may appear to be a minor act, yet it still sends a powerful message that we cannot ignore. We can also modernize the tradition by sharing Red Friday quotes on social media, hosting virtual events, and encouraging others to participate.
By doing so, we honor the same commitment that inspired the Red Friday movement: to recognize and appreciate those who serve. Let us keep this tradition alive and show that, even in a changing world, our support for the military remains consistent. Shop the full RED Friday collection here. →