You’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t heard any 4/20 references in the past. It is a day where weed-smokers appreciate marijuana. It’s widely celebrated, but, how did this ritual even start?
In 1970s California, there was a group of high school teenagers that smoked at 4:20 pm every day consistently. They called themselves Waldos because of a specific wall they would sit on at school. 420 Became the nickname for marijuana for those at the school.
Later on, word spread around the world when the band The Grateful Dead caught wind of the lingo. Fans handed out flyers to other fans to smoke weed April 20th at 4:20 pm, thus birthing the history of 4/20.
4/20 Isn’t just an American thing, either. Countries such as Peru, Africa, Iceland, and Canada all celebrate 4/20 along with the US. it’s worldwide!
Though this day is to celebrate marijuana, historically, it has been a haunting day. 4/20 Is Hitler’s birthday, and also the date of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting.