Cadherin-based cell-cell junctions help metazoans form polarized sheets of cells, which are necessary for development of organs and compartmentalization of functions. The protein complexes making up cadherin-based junctions have ancient origins, with conserved elements shared between animals as diverse as sponges and vertebrates. In invertebrates, the formation and function of epithelial sheets depends on classical cadherin-containing adherens junctions, which link actin to the plasma membrane through α-, β-and p120 catenins. Next to adherens junctions, vertebrates also have a new type of cadherin-based intercellular junction called the desmosome, which allowed for creation of more complex and effective tissue barriers against environmental stress. While desmosomes have a molecular blueprint similar to adherens junctions, desmosomal cadherins, called desmogleins and desmocollins, link 10nm intermediate filaments (IF) instead of actin to the plasma membrane through protein complexes comprising relatives of β-catenin (plakoglobin) and p120 catenin (plakophilins). In turn, desmosomal catenins interact with members of the IF-binding plakin family to create the desmosomal-IF linking complex. In this essay, we discuss when and how desmosomal components evolved, and how their ability to anchor the highly elastic and tough IF cytoskeleton endowed vertebrates with robust tissues capable of not only resisting but also properly responding to environmental stress.