While we all love the major holidays, there's a whole world of unique, fun, and unexpected days to celebrate. Mark your calendars because we have some holidays you don’t want to miss! From lost socks to old rocks, there's plenty to celebrate over the next year.
September 19: National Talk Like a Pirate Day
Ahoy, matey! This is the one day a year when it's encouraged to speak like a pirate. Spend the day practicing your best pirate slang (or learn about real pirate history in our kids' magazine).
September 20: World CleanUp Day
This day is dedicated to cleaning up our planet. Celebrate by picking up trash in your neighborhood or joining a local cleanup event.
September 28: Good Neighbor Day
Here’s a holiday to celebrate our neighbors and encourage us to help those living around us. Take time during the day to say "hello", bring over some cookies, or organize a get-together.
October 13: Ada Lovelace Day
This day celebrates the contributions of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It’s named after the mathematician and computer science pioneer, Ada Lovelace. You can learn more about this incredible scientist on our podcast and kids’ magazine!
October 20: International Sloth Day
Spend the day learning about the world's slowest mammal and the problems it faces in the wild. You can celebrate by donating to a sloth-friendly organization, or by simply taking a nap or slowing down to unwind.
November 4: King Tut Day
On November 4, 1922, Howard Carter and his team found the entrance to King Tutankhamun's tomb. Since that day, November 4 has been remembered as King Tut Day. To celebrate, spend the day learning about this young king and the rich history of ancient Egypt. We even have a magazine to help!
November 14: Pickle Day
This day recognizes the sour, and sometimes sweet, pickle. Did you know these salty snacks have been around for over 4,000 years? You can celebrate by simply eating a pickle or adding them to your favorite sandwich.
December 5: Day of the Ninja
This day recognizes the history and pop culture of ninjas, from ancient Japan to modern-day cinema. Celebrate this day by learning the real history behind these fearless spies.
December 18: National Ugly Sweater Day
Do you have any funny holiday sweaters? This is the day to wear them! You can even host a competition to see who has the ugliest sweater.
January 7: Old Rock Day
Here’s a day to remember and appreciate unique rocks, from prehistoric stone circles to the Rosetta Stone. Celebrate by learning about some of history’s most famous rocks, or take a walk outside to find your very own old rock.
Stonehenge in Salisbury, UK. Photo by Priyank V on Unsplash.
January 16: National Nothing Day
A day to do, well, nothing. We all need a bit of a break, don’t we? It’s the perfect time to rest after the busy holiday season.
February 4: Thank A Mail Carrier Day
Making sure our mail gets to us is an important job. On this day, show appreciation for your local mail person and don’t forget to say “thank you.” Maybe you can even surprise them with a few fun facts about the postal service (you’ll find plenty of these in our kids’ magazine).
February 14: Ferris Wheel Day
February 14th isn’t all about love. It’s also a day to celebrate the Ferris Wheel. People have been taking a ride on these rotating wheels since 1893. Learn more about the exciting invention from our podcast and kids' magazine.
March 7: Alexander Graham Bell Day
What would we do if we couldn’t call people on the phone? This day honors the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, who was granted the patent for his invention on March 7, 1876. Celebrate the day by learning the science behind the telephone, or you can brainstorm your very own invention.
March 26: Make Up Your Own Holiday Day
This unofficial holiday encourages us to get creative and invent our own unique celebrations. Get together with your family, friends, and neighbors to make a day of fun!
April 11: Submarine Day
On this day, in 1900, the U.S. Navy bought its very first modern submarine. Spend the holiday learning about submarines and life aboard these underwater ships. You might find out submarines are older than you think!
The U.S. Navy’s first submarine, the USS Holland. Image from Naval History and Heritage Command.
April 14: Reach as High as You Can Day
Is there something you’ve always wanted to do? Take this day to set a new goal and start working towards it. Don’t be afraid to think big and reach as high as you can!
May 9: Lost Sock Memorial Day
Has one of your socks ever gone missing? Maybe it got “eaten” by the washing machine, or it simply disappeared. This holiday was created to remember all those lost socks and find creative ways to use the single socks in your sock drawer.
May 14: Dance Like a Chicken Day
Here’s a day to have fun and be silly! Celebrate by learning the popular "Chicken Dance" and teaching it to your friends or family.
June 6: National Donut Day
Who knew this tasty treat was packed with history? National Donut Day honors the Salvation Army women who served donuts to U.S. soldiers during World War I. Learn more about this fascinating event on our podcast. You can also celebrate by treating yourself or a friend to a delicious donut!
Left: Salvation Army worker holding a basin full of doughnuts, c. 1917.
Image from the Library of Congress.
June 29: National Camera Day
Did you know the first camera dates back to 1816? Most of us use a camera every day—whether it’s on our phones or a traditional camera. Celebrate this important invention by taking a photo or printing out pictures to make your very own scrapbook.
July 1: International Joke Day
Use this day as an excuse to tell your best and worst jokes. This holiday is the perfect time to celebrate laughter, get together with friends and family, and have a whole lot of fun.
July 20: Space Exploration Day
On this day, in 1969, the first humans landed on the moon. Space Exploration Day commemorates this historic event and encourages people to learn more about the planets, moons, and the stars above us. You can learn more about the race to space in our kids’ magazine!
August 3: National Watermelon Day
Did you know watermelons originally came from Africa? This summertime fruit is the perfect snack on a hot August day. Celebrate the holiday by having a picnic and snacking on some refreshing watermelon.
August 13: International Left-handers Day
Do you or anyone you know use their left hand to write? It’s a rare trait—only about 10 to 12 percent of the world is left-handed. Left-handers Day is a day to celebrate the uniqueness and differences of left-handed people.
No matter the month, there's always a reason to celebrate something unique and fun. Why not pick a few holidays and add some new traditions to your year!