National Walking Day Timeline

1965

Manpo-kei becomes okay

In 1965 Y. Hatano created a pedometer based on the concept of 10,000 steps a day (what manpo-kei roughly translates to). It wasn't until 20 years later in 1985 when the research was finally accepted as being scientifically sound that 10,000 steps a day is the rough approximation for which humans experience health benefits from walking.

1904

One your mark. Get set. Walk.

Racewalking is introduced as an Olympic sport following pedestrianism's popularity where a "fair heel and toe rule" is established meaning a heel must be on the ground before a toe can leave, resulting in the half-walk half-jog gait now commonly associated with the sport.

18th century

Bet on Pedestrianism

Pedestrianism enters the modern lexicon as a popular sport for betting who can walk the longest, fastest, and still keep the proper gait.