The Story Of ‘MOvember’

As November winds down, so does an event known as Movember, also known as ‘No-Shave November’. It’s an annual event that encourages men to grow moustaches and/or beards during the month of November to raise awareness to cancer. It targets men’s cancers specifically, such as prostrate or testicular cancer. The idea is to bring awareness to early cancer detection through annual check-ups, knowledge of family history and living a healthier lifestyle.

The movement got its start in 1999 when a group of guys sitting in a pub in Australia came up with the idea to grow moustaches for charity during the month of November. That’s how they coined the phrase 'Movember' combining Mo (moustache) and November. Five years later, a separate Australian group of 30 men grew moustaches for 30 days to raise awareness of cancer for men. The event grew and became international.  To find out more about Movember, visit their website.

In support of Movember, this video takes a look back at men’s hair and facial hair styles over the past 100 years.