International Consensual Spanking Day - Let's Celebrate on August 8! by Justin

Art by Lorenz; Remember to Celebrate on 8/8!  

August 8 is recognized as International Consensual Spanking Day.  We hope that you all find a pleasant - or painfully pleasant - way to enjoy the 24th annual celebration of this day!  

But what are the origins of this most fitting day?  In our book, Bad Lads, Strict Sirs, and the World of Adult Male Spanking, we noted that “The origins of this date are unknown” (page 258).  Happily, we have now discovered the exact history for International Consensual Spanking Day!  It took some online searching and cross-referencing of multiple links, but here we go…

In March of 2005, a Spanish-language blog titled “Azotes y Nalgadas” was launched.  For those interested in linguistics, the translation of “nalgadas” is, essentially, “spanking,” derived from “nalgas” as the Spanish word for buttocks.  “Azotes” is a bit more broad, as it can signify the activity of spanking, whipping, lashing, or slapping (of the face or bottom), as well as implements such as a whip or cat-o’-nine-tails, all depending on context and regional usages; this is derived from the verb “azotar,” which means to whip, flog, or physically punish.  (For those who studied Spanish as a second language and struggled with the subjunctive mood, here’s a subjunctive conjugation of “azotar” that you might enjoy:  “Quiero que me azotes,” meaning “I want you to spank me”).  Perhaps a future blog will explore spanking in multiple languages, but let’s return to our story.

The first post to the “Azotes y Nalgadas” blog noted that there were many English-language blogs about spanking, but that it would be the first in Spanish to focus exclusively on erotic spanking, or, in the author’s words, “whatever you want to call our delicious practice.”

On July 24, 2006, blog author Fer noted that July 24 was recognized as the International Day of BDSM (because when written as 24/7, the month/date format recognized in many countries outside of the United States, it signifies 24/7 Domination and submission).  This led Fer to observe that “it is very positive that the different ways of living and enjoying sexuality…are designating special days and writing their collective history.”  And, it led Fer to wonder, “Will there ever be a spanking day?  It would have to be with very round numbers that look like buttocks.”

Several readers commented on the blog post.  On August 5, 2006, Ana K. replied with the following:  “I propose as spanking day 06/06 or 08/08, that is, June 6 or August 8 ... all round days, especially August 8, as the 8 looks like a side butt, right?”  Another poster agreed with the August 8 recommendation, even speculating that “08/08/08 will be a great spanking day” (and we hope it was for you!).

Fer took these comments to heart, and on August 7, 2006, proposed moving forward with the date, soliciting comments from Blog followers.  There was support for doing so.  One poster playfully asked, “How do we celebrate?  What a silly question, isn't it?”  Another observed that it allows the spanking community to “differentiate ourselves from BDSM.”

The following year, Ana K. offered her own blog post on August 3, 2007, reiterating the day’s history and suggesting the following:

“Now, how each person celebrates it is up to the imagination and desire of each spanker.  Perhaps the lovers of disciplinary spanking will scold more than ever and keep trying to offer correction by means of spankings and punishments for each one of their “students,” sending them to the corner, putting them on their knees, or sending them to stand with their butts on display to spank them properly. Those who like erotic spanking will look for a way to find the perfect reason to to spank their spankee properly and to be able to finish the session with the best sex. I also know more than one spanker who does not need a reason to spank their spankee, because they do it as a way to show their affection, their love for the other person, so that the spanking becomes something enjoyable and joyful for both of them. So, dear friends, I invite you to enjoy a day of spanking, each one in his own way. Have a wonderful time…”

Indeed, here’s to us all having as wonderful a time as we can.  If you aren’t able to arrange an actual spanking, reach out to a fellow spanko - and if you know a spanko who may be unspanked today, reach out to him, and let’s remind ourselves of how wonderful our kink and our community can be!

Thanks to Fer and Ana K., wherever you may be!