Nudist History Month returns for year two
August is once again dedicated to remembering and reclaiming our past
Last year, the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) introduced a new tradition: Nudist History Month. Now in its second year, the initiative invites us once again to turn our attention to the rich and often underappreciated legacy of nudism and naturism.
The timing couldn’t be better. Summer is the high season for body freedom—June is marked by Pride, World Naked Bike Rides, and the Solstice-aligned Naked Hiking Day; July brings Nude Recreation Week and International Skinny Dip Day. August, aside from annual conventions, has historically lacked a dedicated focus for nudists to promote—until now.
With Nudist History Month, AANR has carved out space for reflection, education, and recognition. By looking to the past, we gain perspective on how far the movement has come—and where it still needs to go. The organization, now in its 95th year, hopes this annual observance will foster a deeper understanding of the culture and values that define modern naturism.
At Planet Nude, history has always been central to our mission. We’re proud to continue supporting this effort. Throughout August, we’ll be re-sharing some of our favorite past pieces on nudist history (and early nudist pre-history), alongside new features that explore the events, people, and ideas that have shaped this movement. Expect essays, interviews, archival gems, and podcast episodes that dig into everything from early 20th-century pioneers to contemporary stories of resistance and revival.
Supporting nudist history
In addition to supporting the history initiative editorially, we’re also continuing our support for the libraries that protect this history. Once again, Planet Nude is making a financial donation to the Western Nudist Research Library (WNRL). We encourage you to do the same—or to support one of the other excellent libraries in the Nudist Research Library Consortium:
Though donation links aren’t currently available for the AANR-NW Archive or the Federation of Canadian Naturists Library, both can be supported through regional memberships or direct contact.
These archives are critical. They preserve rare documents, photographs, newsletters, and personal accounts that might otherwise vanish. They ensure that nudism’s story—our story—remains visible and accessible for generations to come.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Nudist History Month this August. Read, share, and reflect. Because our history is worth remembering.🪐
Going back a lot further in time the autobiography of Giacomo Casanova 1725 to 1798 reveals a casual attitude to nudity when mixed groups of people changed in front of each other in coaching inns. He also claims that daughters of King Louis XV of France used to go to church with their breasts exposed.
Throughout much of human history poor people lived together in close proximity with little privacy and seeing people nude would have been commonplace for many.
Topless sunbathing for women is said to have been popularised by Brigette Bardot on the late 60s and by the 1980s had become very common in many parts of Europe and beyond. When we went on our honeymoon to the South of Portugal in 1982 toplessness was everywhere and nudity was common on many beaches.
In the 21st century women going topless has become less common in Europe and some beaches which used to be naturist have been taken over by textiles but there are still plenty of opportunities to take your clothes off in an informal setting if you go to the right places.