Umbrella Day: Famous & Unusual Umbrellas

So, what product is available in a slew of sizes, shapes and colors, is used for protection and has been used for thousands of years? Why umbrellas, of course. Today is Umbrella Day in the U.S.A. While the origins of this "holiday" are unknown, this annual event is celebrated every Feb. 10.

Umbrellas, or parasols. not only help protect us from the rain, but also protect us from the sun. Some folks use this handy accessory as awalking aid. Some prefer to use a small, frilly version in their tropical drinks.

Umbrellas have also played a role when it comes to movies too.

Famous Umbrellas

• Singin’ in the Rain – With a little help from a big black umbrella and a lotta rain, Gene Kelly dances and sings his way into movie goers’ hearts in this classic musical from 1952.

• The delightful Mary Poppins, played by Julie Andrews, also used an umbrella in this classic American film.

• The Umbrellas of Cherbourg – The beautiful Catherine Deneuve stars in this 1964 Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-nominated film about a young girl from an umbrella shop. Chances are pretty good you’ll recognize some of the music too.

• Rhianna sings about one in her hit appropriately titled, Umbrella. What’s under yours?

• John F. Kennedy Assassination – Some believe an umbrella may have played a part in the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy.

• Umbrella Murder - Some believe Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov was murdered by an assassin who used the tip of an umbrella to inject ricin into Markov’s leg.