National Princess Day 2020: How Did The Celebration Begin?

From the fragile, damsel in distress kind of princesses, the kids could now look up to fighter princesses who don't need prince charmings by their side.

Nov. 18 is National Princess Day, an annual event where girls dress up as their favorite Disney princesses. As the mold of princesses evolves, it's good to look back at how the celebration actually began.

While wearing ball gowns of Disney princesses is a great part of the celebration, it wasn't Disney that started the annual event.

The Nest Family Entertainment started the National Princess Day. The Texas-based entertainment company partnered with Rich Animation and created the animated film "The Swan Princess," which was released on Nov.18, 1994.

The "Swan Princess" was an adaptation of "Swan Lake," which is one of the most popular ballets of all time. In the movie, Princess Odette was cursed by an evil sorcerer to become a white swan. Her love, Prince Derek, will try to rescue her.

The Nest Family Entertainment wanted people of all ages to feel what it would be like to become royalty at least for a day. The vision was for everyone to embody the same kindness and grace that princesses were known for.

Kids who participated in the celebration mostly preferred Disney princesses over others. Among the popular choices were Princess Jasmine, Ariel, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Belle and, of course, Snow White. Little kids loved the dainty, fragile princesses in beautiful ball gowns.

Over the years, more Disney princesses have broken that mold. "Xena: Warrior Princess" was launched in 1995 and then "Mulan" came out in 1998. These characters showed kids that princesses can also fight and go on adventures.

More and more princesses followed suit and by the 2000s, there were those who were called the new wave princesses. These princesses were presented in films without the need for their prince charming. Or, if they do, the princesses were the ones saving their prince. The New Wave Princesses include Elsa from "Frozen", Merida from "Brave" and Moana.