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Today is National Umbrella Day

We typically associate rainy days with the month of April, but as showers continue to dampen Pittsburgh, you should be celebrating one of the most useful inventions ever: the umbrella.

Feb. 10 is National Umbrella Day.

The umbrella dates back more than 4,000 years.

Primitive parasols were used in places like ancient Egypt and Greece to shield people from the hot sun. But it is the Chinese who are credited with inventing the first umbrellas used for rain.

Since then, the umbrella has been through many changes, from its status as a stylish accessory in England to modern miniature folding umbrellas, which were invented in Hungary.

Fred Rogers even devoted an entire episode of “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” to the umbrella in 1992.