It is known that vegetarianism, the practice of eliminating animal meat from the diet but continues consuming products from them, goes back to ancient Greece. Gradually, groups of vegetarians began to form in different establishments, but generally in universities. A very important event that consolidated vegetarianism as a behavior that explored the limits between morality and everyday life, was the conformation of the British Vegetarian Society, in Kent and London, in the year 1847.
There was also a type of vegetarian who did not consume eggs or products of any kind that were of animal origin. They were called “strict vegetarians”, and emerged from many meetings of vegetarians, which included inquiries into agriculture and its economy and the massive use of leather and fur at that time.
The term “vegan” is attributed to the activist Donald Watson, who distanced himself completely from what was known as vegetarianism, arguing that it was completely possible to live a life without animal products, but he needed a new name for this new current. With the publication of the first issue of “The Vegan News” in 1944, the existence of veganism as an ideological and moral current was established.
Throughout the history of humanity, many characters have decided to adopt this lifestyle. Among the most famous we can mention Pitagoras, Plato, Miguel de Cervantes, Mahadma Gandhi, Thomas Alva Edison, Nikola Tesla; some modern ones like Steve Jobs, Bill Clinton, Paul McCartney, Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz. Leonardo Da Vinci was also a vegan and his phrase about veganism is well known.
“I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men”
Leonardo Da Vinci
Nowadays, veganism is very important to society due to the increasing number of people who decide to follow this lifestyle. The market for vegan products is growing along with the vegan community