Streaking in History

Streaking has been around for centuries, though it was not officially called streaking until 1974. For anyone not familiar with streaking, streaking is when people strip their clothes off and make a dash for it. The intentions are usually either they are trying to make a statement or were dared to do so. In most cases, streaking involves some sort of alcoholic beverage or drug stimulant. The obvious reasoning, with a little alcoholic or drug induction people are able to do things they normally would not attempt doing.

One of the most famous streaking cases involved a streaker at the Academy Awards. David Niven was on stage, when Robert Opel ran by him in the background. The look on David Niven's face was priceless. This leads me into the reasoning behind streaking.

Streakers love the attention. They are people looking for a good chuckle or the shock factor. In some cases, a streaker is trying to remind people of what life was like in the beginning of time, when our ancestors wore little to nothing during their hunts for wild game. Furthermore, it is a way to for people to flaunt the beauty of the naked body. After all, we were created in god's likeness. Streakers are not nudists, who spend their time in colonies with others happy to be naked, nor are they flashers, who are sexually aroused when they confront their victims. Streaking is not pornographic, since there is no sexual activity attached to the act.

Streaking used to be people running naked, now it includes people skydiving, cycling, parachuting, rollerblading, and even driving through areas naked. Streaking is best defined as people seeking a thrill, a sense of mischief. Streaking is illegal, so if someone gets caught there are serious legal ramifications accompanying the crime. It is possible for a streaker to be charged with a sex crime and have to file with their local community as a sex criminal, however this has not happened to any streakers.

Famous streakers throughout history include:

Lady Godiva rode atop her horse naked. She actually did this for the people. Her husband told her the only way he would lower their taxes would be if she were to ride through town naked. Much to his dismay, she galliantly rode into town and he lowered their taxes.

The First Olympics featured competitors running naked long distances. Their prize: A hot meal!

Mark Roberts is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having completed more than 300 streaks to date.

Erica Roe busted onto the scene in 1982 when she removed her bra and raced onto the field during an England versus Australia rugby match at halftime. She later confessed to having almost not done it at all.

Melissa Johnson streaked across Wimbledon in 1996.

On April 28th, 1974, five streakers calling for Richard Nixon's impeachment ran through the crowd donning Richard Nixon masks.

So when was the first recognized streak? In late January or early February, 1974, several students at the University of South Carolina were reported to have bolted throughout the campus. Other campuses began following suit.