No-shave November is an interesting concept. Many people around the world partake in the month of abstinence from razors, but few know the real purpose or origin of the holiday.

While the name No-shave November is relatively recent, the idea of growing out a beard for a lengthy period of time was first formulated by the Greek philosopher Plato. Plato apparently believed that young students should imitate those who were wisest about life. Since the wisest men had beards (because they were old), the younger folk would spend 30 days trying to grow beards to match their elders.

Beards not only signify wisdom, but manly toughness as well. Genghis Khan, dominator of Eastern civilization in the mid-1100s, required his men to abstain from shaving for a 30 day campaign because it made them “bedraggled looking MEN!” Since Khan ended up with the largest empire in human history, it’s safe to assume that the tactic worked.

Now that beards have been established as symbols of wisdom and battle-worthiness, the origin of the name, No-Shave November, will be explored. In the year 2003, and in the country of Australia, a movement called Movember began. Movember is just like No-shave November, except only the moustache is grown (mo is slang for moustache in Australia, hence the name). The November event is meant to raise awareness and funds for prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges.

Soon the benevolent concept made its way to America, but once it got there, for unknown reasons, it was changed to No-shave November and lost many of its charitable roots. No matter how the title was achieved, No-shave November gives every man a chance to have pride in facial hair and let the stubble grow.