November Calendar

November 2025
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
					1 AUTISTICS SPEAKING DAY AUTISTICS SPEAKING DAY November 1, 2025 AUTISTICS SPEAKING DAY We all look at the world in our own unique ways. However, people with autism experience the world differently from most of us. They approach the world in often novel ways. Maybe one of the most important ways we all connect to and understand the world is through communication. Autistics Speaking Day on November 1 encourages autistic people to tell their stories using whatever means works for them. And everyone else is encouraged to listen, hear, read, and comprehend their stories from their point of view. On November 1, autistic people will flood the internet with their challenges and their celebrations, their interests, and their dislikes. They will speak about their rights and advocacy in many languages. Some may speak with art, others with poetry or memes. They may also be speaking through podcasts. Their words and stories may be difficult to hear, but they will be speaking. But, most importantly, they will be speaking about themselves for themselves. And if you want to understand, it will be a day for you to listen. HOW TO OBSERVE #AutisticsSpeakingDay If you’re autistic, join the movement. Tell your stories for friends and family to hear. Reach out through the internet and connect with others speaking on November 1. Take the opportunity to express your thoughts, feelings, fears, and ambitions. When you do, use #AustisticsSpeakingDay to help others find your story. AUTISTICS SPEAKING DAY HISTORY Autistic Self Advocacy Network founded Autistic Speaking Day in 2010 as a way for autistic people to speak for themselves – to advocate, share their experiences and communicate openly about autism in a meaningful way. A post by Corina Becker in response to an October autism awareness campaign sparked the idea for Autistics Speaking Day. Both the day and the organization were created by people with autism, illustrating the importance of self-advocacy by those who live with autism every day. The observance is open to everyone with autism, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, their friends and families. NATIONAL AUTHOR’S DAY NATIONAL AUTHOR’S DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL AUTHOR’S DAY On November 1, millions of people celebrate authors and the books that they write on National Author’s Day. Books have a mind of their own. They take time to develop, research, draft, edit, revise, and rewrite. We devour stories. We indulge in them as we drift off to sleep or travel. And sometimes, we allow them to collect dust on several flat surfaces in our homes. Those stories may take years to reach a publisher and just as long to reach a bookshelf. We may have only one favorite author or many collected works with which we cannot part. Whether we prefer fiction, non-fiction, or a mix of both, authors have been telling stories to fill our heads for thousands of years. Authors also keep a record of history through their stories. They mark time through their observations. Their tales create remarkable memories of a place, sealing it between the pages of the binding. Their books allow us to keep coming back to visit again and again. NATIONAL BIOLOGIC COORDINATORS DAY NATIONAL BIOLOGIC COORDINATORS DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL BIOLOGIC COORDINATORS DAY Biologic coordinators are some of the most important advocates for patients in healthcare—yet too often, their work goes unrecognized. That’s why, on November 1, National Biologic Coordinators Day will recognize the daily commitment of biologic coordinators everywhere. Biologic therapy can be an important treatment option for patients. However, obtaining access to these treatments can be challenging, and patients often need help navigating the process. That’s where biologic coordinators come in. A biologic coordinator is a key member of a medical practice’s office staff. They can be a doctor, nurse, physician’s assistant, medical assistant, or an office/practice manager. These individuals help patients navigate the sometimes arduous and complex process of obtaining access to prescribed biologic medications. A biologic coordinator also works collaboratively with the patient, prescribing specialist, specialty pharmacy, manufacturer, and insurance company. Each step of the way, they guide patients through the many steps needed to start and stay on their biologic medication. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBiologicCoordinatorsDay #BeCauseYouCare As a leader in healthcare, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson is inspired by the connectivity, dedication, and compassion of these unsung heroes for the patients they work tirelessly to support. You can show your support for these important patient advocates by sharing a story of, or photo with, a biologic coordinator using #BeCauseYouCare and #NationalBiologicCoordinatorsDay on social media. NATIONAL BIOLOGIC COORDINATORS DAY HISTORY Janssen launched the first National Biologic Coordinators Day in 2021 to make sure the work of biologic coordinators is recognized—not just among patients and physicians, but also among the industry and general public. While being a biologic coordinator is a year-round job, the open enrollment period is one of their busiest times. Open enrollment is an annual period typically from November 1 to December 15 when people can enroll in a health insurance plan. In honoring and celebrating this important group of healthcare workers on November 1, Janssen hopes to establish a positive kickoff to this busy time. The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the first National Biologic Coordinators Day in 2021. NATIONAL BISON DAY NATIONAL BISON DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL BISON DAY National Bison Day, on the first Saturday in November, the country honors one of the most majestic beasts to roam the land. The official National Mammal of the United States, the iconic North American Bison, has played a cultural, economic, and environmental role in the history of the country. Central to the livelihood of Native Americans, they are also a healthy food source and vital to religious ceremonies. When is National Day of the Horse? The bison is the largest land mammal in North America, with males weighing up to 2,000 pounds and standing up to 6 feet tall. While cows may be smaller at 1,000 pounds and up to 5 feet tall, they’re still mighty powerful. However, Bison only live up to 20 years. Full-grown bison have a dark brown to black, thick shaggy coat. However, when they’re born, calves have a reddish coat. Their fur insulates them during even the coldest winters. While giant herds once covered the plains, they were nearly decimated by the 1800s. Now, bison populate all 50 states living in national parks, refuges, tribal, and private lands. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBisonDay Read about the bison. Visit an American museum featuring the history of the bison. Drive through a National Park to see living bison in their natural habitats. Learn the history of their population and their role in American culture. Share your experiences and celebrate their lasting legacy. Compare your beard (real or faux) to a bison’s! Take a picture and post on social media using #BeardsforBison or #NationalBisonDay to share on social media. NATIONAL BISON DAY HISTORY Since 2012, a movement launched for officially recognizing the American bison as the national mammal of the United States. Organizers included making National Bison Day the first Saturday of November. The United States Senate signed resolutions yearly supporting the passage of such a proclamation. On May 9, 2016, President Barack Obama signed the law making the American bison the national mammal of the United States. NATIONAL BRUSH DAY NATIONAL BRUSH DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL BRUSH DAY National Brush Day on November 1st reminds us all to follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines. Sometimes the day is referred to as Brush Your Teeth Day. The day follows Halloween, which traditionally is the single most significant day of candy consumption in the USA. The simple act of brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes can have a substantial impact on cavity prevention. It also impacts a myriad of oral diseases such as gingivitis. When is National Toothfairy Day? It’s important to encourage brushing after meals and especially after sugary snacks. Teach your children a two-minute song to hum while brushing their teeth. Some good tunes to learn are: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Row Row Your Boat Wheels on the Bus HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBrushDay Spend some extra time explaining the importance of brushing your teeth to children. Replace your toothbrush. Use #NationalBrushDay when posting on social media. NATIONAL BRUSH DAY HISTORY The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives launched National Brush Day in 2013 as an extension of the Kids’ Healthy Mouths public service advertising (PSA). The coalition of more than 35 leading oral health organizations and the Ad Council began the campaign in August 2012. The observance is designed to remind and encourage parents to get their kids brushing their teeth for just two minutes, twice a day. NATIONAL CALZONE DAY NATIONAL CALZONE DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL CALZONE DAY If the air is resplendent with the aroma of garlic and tomato sauce on November 1st, it might just be time to celebrate National Calzone Day. Calzones take the delicious toppings and cheese of a pizza and tuck it up tight in a warm garlicky, crusty package. Also known as calzoni in some parts of Italy, like the pizza, it originated in Naples. It looks much like a turnover. As varied as pizzas come these days, so does the calzone. The loose translation of the word calzone from Italian to English is trouser legs. This translation may explain the purpose of calzone, which is essentially a pizza hand pie. However, carrying out the task of eating a calzone while walking on two legs is mighty improbably. Consider that they overflow with a bounty of cheeses, meat, vegetables, and sauces! Calzone dough is infused with garlic and butter to add flavor. Sauces made from scratch with Italian herbs and spices lend that old world flair to every calzone recipe. By the time the mozzarella, provolone or parmesan melts into the sausage, spinach or whatever choice ingredients, aromas fill the air. No wonder our mouths begin watering. So take a seat, invite some friends, and enjoy the evening savoring a well-made calzone. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCalzoneDay Experience a fresh, hot-from-the-oven calzone and use #NationalCalzoneDay to share on social media. NATIONAL CINNAMON DAY NATIONAL CINNAMON DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL CINNAMON DAY The holiday season warms up with National Cinnamon Day on November 1st. It’s the spice that ushers in a season while being versatile all year long. What other spice flavors the holidays than cinnamon? Of course, cinnamon’s quintessential warmth fills our homes with welcoming scents like no other. For generations, cinnamon elicits fond memories of holidays with family. It sweetens apple pies and is the base for pumpkin spice. With just a touch, it kisses the snickerdoodle, too. We raise a toast with it on chilly evenings in frothy beverages. And cinnamon preserves our bounty all season long. When is National Cinnamon Crescent Day? Hot, cold, savory, and sweet cinnamon fills our memories throughout the holidays. In fact, according to IRI data, cinnamon was the most purchased holiday spice in 2018. It’s the ideal spice to create gifts and bring cheer into the home. How will you use cinnamon this season? HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCinnamonDay Share your favorite cinnamon recipes and memories. Invite the family to join you as you bake up those special cinnamon recipes. Create new traditions and find the latest ways to use cinnamon in your home and in your cooking, too. There are so many delicious ways to use cinnamon, and it’s so good for us, too. Add ground cinnamon to your morning coffee grounds or top your toast with cinnamon and sugar. There are so many ways cinnamon makes things better. No matter how you use it, from the scent to the flavor, your guests will feel welcomed home. NATIONAL COOK FOR YOUR PETS DAY NATIONAL COOK FOR YOUR PETS DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL COOK FOR YOUR PETS DAY November 1st celebrates National Cook For Your Pets Day. This national holiday encourages cooking something for the pet companion in your life. You love your pet. And you want to provide what is best for them. So why not try to make them healthy, home-cooked food? No matter what kind of pet you have – dog, cat, lizard, mouse, get cooking! A lot of people these days are concerned about the food they eat and where that food, or the ingredients, come from. Most of our food supply today is processed and loaded with fillers. The same applies to our pet food. Animals need to eat a natural diet to be at optimal health, and most of the pet food you buy has a lot of unnatural things in it. If you cook or make your own pet food at home, you are in control. NATIONAL DEEP FRIED CLAMS DAY NATIONAL DEEP FRIED CLAMS DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL DEEP FRIED CLAMS DAY National Deep Fried Clams Day on November 1st recognizes a popular seafood item enjoyed since the 1840s. Fried claims have been on menus in restaurants since the 1840s. They were served alongside mutton, liver and veal cutlets up and down the Eastern Seaboard. And they have quite a history, too. According to legend, Lawrence Henry “Chubby” Woodman from Essex, Massachusetts deep fried the first breaded versions of clams over 100 years ago. On July 3, 1916, in his small roadside restaurant, now Woodman’s of Essex, it is believed Chubby served his customers the first modern-day deep-fried clams. NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY Families gather around to observe National Family Literacy Day on November 1st. Families who read together succeed together. There are more reasons than ever before for families to read aloud to their children from a young age. Besides the fact that reading creates quiet, quality family time, it develops early vocabulary skills. If that wasn’t enough to get a family reading together, check out these reasons: Expands their attention span and yours. Read chapter books even to your youngest child. They may drift off to sleep, but they are listening and their attention span will lengthen. It’s free. Books can be checked out from the library. You can read well above a child’s level, and they will still listen and comprehend. Improve listening skills. See above. It’s portable. Reading doesn’t require batteries. Except at night. Reading is a tool that can never be unlearned. Once a child learns to read, they never stop. You’ll know because you’ll have to stop spelling certain words to your spouse. It improves imagination and creativity. Reading opens up a dialogue between parent and child. HOW TO OBSERVE #FamilyLiteracyDay Celebrated across America, this day focuses on special activities and events that showcase the importance of family literacy programs. Attend a program or activity at a school or library near you. Get together with family and read a book together. NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY If it’s the first Saturday of the month, it’s National Play Outside Day. So, no matter what month it is, everyone put down their electronic devices and get outside! #PlayOutsideDay All year long, we are given numerous opportunities to get outside and play. But sometimes, life, responsibilities, and distractions keep us from spending time in the fresh air as we should. National Play Outside Day is a reminder to stretch our legs and expend some energy in the great outdoors. NATIONAL VINEGAR DAY NATIONAL VINEGAR DAY November 1, 2025 NATIONAL VINEGAR DAY On November 1st National Vinegar Day not only makes things taste great, but it also makes things sparkle, too. Vinegar is produced either by a fast or a slow fermentation process. Slow methods are generally used with traditional vinegar and the fermentation proceeds slowly over the course of months or up to a year. This household staple freshens a salad and brightens windows. While vinegar is common, it’s also one of the most useful household items made. Whether cooking or cleaning, be sure to add vinegar to your shopping list. There are many varieties of vinegar: Apple cider – Made primarily from apple juice, yeast turns the juice into vinegar. Balsamic – This darker and intensely acidic vinegar is made from grapes. It makes an excellent salad dressing and can also be cooked down into a syrup. Beer or Malt – The vinegar comes in a variety of flavors all determined by the beer or malt used to make it. This type of vinegar brings complex flavors to your cooking. Whether making a sauce or a marinade, you won’t go wrong. Cane – Made from sugar cane syrup, this vinegar is mellow with a mild sweetness. Use it in vinaigrettes or sauces. Distilled – This powerhouse vinegar made from grain alcohol both cleans and makes great pickles. It is the most versatile of the vinegars. However, it must be pointed out that other vinegars make great pickles, too. Rice – This sweeter vinegar makes great sauces that pair well with fried foods, Asian cuisine, and cooked vegetables. Red wine – Made from red wine, this vinegar makes an excellent marinade for red meats. Use it to deglaze a pan before making a sauce. It also complements vegetables. Coconut – Made from the sap produced by the flowers of coconut trees, this vinegar adds sweetness to soups and salad dressings. It’s most often found in Asian and Indian cuisine but is subtle enough to be used in many other recipes. But those aren’t all. You can also explore flavored vinegars, honey, palm, raisin, and kombucha vinegars, too! Vinegar is: Most commonly used in food preparation such as pickling processes, vinaigrettes, and other salad dressings An essential ingredient in mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and mayonnaise A popular condiment for fish and chips Flavoring for potato chips Used as a dip for crab meat A substitute for fresh lemon juice Ingredient in a sauce when roasting lamb Used in sushi rice Commonly put into mint sauce Ingredient in making some beverages Used for medical remedies and treatments Ideal for cleaning Essential in home canning Used in gardening and pest control Some forms of vinegar are believed to have health benefits. To learn more about vinegar, see: http://www.versatilevinegar.org/vinegarlore.html HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalVinegarDay Vinegar offers us so many ways to celebrate! If you are not sure where to start, simply try making a batch of refrigerator pickles. You can also make your own vinegar from your favorite base ingredient. There are numerous recipes out there for this ancient practice. Share your favorite recipes for sauces or dressings, too. Where will you start? Let us know using #NationalVinegarDay to post on social media. • • • • • • • • • • • •	2 DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS November 2, 2025 DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS Daylight Saving Time ends on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM. The practice of Daylight saving time (DST) (also known as summer time) advances clocks during the summer months. It causes us to lose an hour for one day. However, the practice allows people to get up earlier in the morning and experience more daylight in the evening. Typically, users of DST adjust clocks forward one hour near the start of spring. Then, they change them back again in the autumn. The system has received both advocacy and criticism. Setting clocks forward benefits retail business, sports, and other activities exploiting sunlight after working hours. However, the practice causes problems for evening entertainment and other activities tied to the sun or darkness. For example, farming and fireworks shows are both affected. Although some early proponents of DST aimed to reduce evening use of incandescent lighting (formerly a primary use of electricity, modern heating and cooling), usage patterns differ greatly. Additionally, research about how DST currently affects energy use is limited or contradictory. Problems sometimes caused by DST clock shifts include: they complicate timekeeping can disrupt meetings, travel, billing, record keeping, medical devices, heavy equipment, it especially impacts sleep patterns Software can often adjust computer clocks automatically, but this can be limited and error-prone. Programming is particularly problematic when various jurisdictions change the dates and timings of DST changes. HOW TO OBSERVE #DaylightSavingTimeEnds or #FallBack Depending on where you live, make sure to turn back your clocks. What will you do with your extra hour? Use #DaylightSavingTimeEnds or #FallBack to post on social media. DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS HISTORY The New Zealander George Vernon Hudson proposed the modern idea of daylight saving in 1895. Germany and Austria-Hungary organized the first implementation, starting on 30 April 1916. Many countries have used it at various times since then, particularly since the energy crisis of the 1970s. INTERNATIONAL DOGE DAY INTERNATIONAL DOGE DAY November 2, 2025 INTERNATIONAL DOGE DAY November 2 is International Doge Day on the National Day Calendar as a day to encourage people to Do Only Good Everyday. We are on a mission to spread positivity, fun, and joy throughout the world. Get your tails wagging because something PAWSOME is coming your way in the form of the queen pup herself--Doge. #DOGEDAY Internet culture is all about sharing trends and expressions that evolve in the digital world which often shape the identity of online communities. Memes are a key element of online culture in the digital age. On International Doge Day, we are sharing our love for a Shiba Inu dog that has taken virtual communities by storm with her funny, witty, and uplifting messages. Grab your leashes and let's take a walk as we learn how one cute pup is inspiring love and joy throughout the world. From Pup to Meme Royalty: A Howlin' Good History The Doge story begins in 2005 when a puppy by the name of Kabosu was born in a puppy mill. When the mill closed down, Kabosu, along with her siblings, were put up for adoption. Luckily, in 2008 Kabosu was rescued from a sad fate when she was taken in by a school teacher and blogger named Atsuko Sato. Kabosu quickly became a fur-real beacon of joy for Atsuko. In 2010, she began sharing photos of Kabosu on her blog. Through those images, Kabosu was serving as an inspiration for the world to “Do Only Good Everyday.” Atsuko was showing her followers that even in ruff times, positivity rules the doghouse. Where does the word Doge come from? A man by the name of John Monarch originally coined the term “Doge” on Reddit about 13 years ago. Because of him, Kabosu began wagging her way into the hearts of the world. Since then, Kabosu's Doge memes have had the internet howling with laughter. Did You Know? Doge memes often feature a Kabosu with a caption written in broken English and Comic Sans font. Captions include words like "such," "much," "so," and "very" and they convey a variety of upbeat messages. Where is Doge today? Kabosu lives with her mom Atsuko and 3 feline siblings in Japan; They will be forever immortalized by a bronze statue designed by Own The Doge & Atsuko Sato, that will be unveiled on Doge Day in Kabosu’s favorite park, Furusato Square, Sakura City, Japan. 5 Doge Facts Though there are a few other variations, the true pronunciation of the word "Doge" contains a soft "g" and is pronounced like "dohj." In 2013, a cryptocurrency called "DogeCoin" (DOGE) was created as a parody of Bitcoin using the Doge meme's image as its logo. Even though it was created as a joke, Dogecoin gained real-world value and became a popular cryptocurrency for tipping and small transactions on social media. All Doge memes intentionally feature broken English to give the impression the puppy is talking in "DogSpeak." Many people use the Doge meme as a symbol of wholesomeness and positivity. The memes always express joy, amazement, and admiration in a lighthearted way. The Doge meme has been around for for over 13 years and is one of the mostly widely shared memes of all time on the Internet. In fact, new versions are created every day and continue to bring happiness and joy to those who are seeing them online. INTERNATIONAL DOGE DAY CELEBRATIONS Doge memes always convey humor and emotion through simple text message using Kabosu's cute puppy face. Today, the Doge meme has become a cultural phenomenon on the Internet with a variety of adaptions and variations. Celebrating International Doge Day is a fun and easy way to not only pay homage to the iconic meme, but also a way to spread a little virtual joy and positivity. Create your own Doge meme or share a current Doge meme on social media using #DogeDay. Express your creativity by creating International Doge Day artwork. Bake some Doge-themed cupcakes or cookies. You can add a little extra flair by adding phrases or paw prints with icing. Support your local animal shelter by making a donation on International Doge Day or consider adopting an animal. Use Atsuko Sato and Kabosu's adoption story as inspiration to “Do Only Good Everyday” in the world! Remember that celebrating the Doge meme is all about having fun and sharing positive vibes. It's an opportunity to enjoy internet culture and the humor it brings to our lives. Who Created International Doge Day? International Doge Day was first introduced in 2023 through a collaboration between National Day Calendar and ownthedoge.com. Each year on November 2, we celebrate the famous Shiba Inu and original Doge--Kabosu. About Own The Doge The Doge is a tribe of Doge enthusiasts on a mission to spread paw-sitivity, celebrate the legendary Doge meme's legacy, and spread the ethos of “Do Only Good Everyday”. With over $1 million in charitable pawprints, unforgettable adventures, and endless wagging, Own The Doge is taking Kabosu's legacy to infinity and beyond! Doge Day inquiries can be sent to dogeday@ownthedoge.com NATIONAL DEVILED EGG DAY NATIONAL DEVILED EGG DAY November 2, 2025 NATIONAL DEVILED EGG DAY National Deviled Egg Day features a favorite hors-d’oeuvre or side dish for parties, holidays, family reunions and potluck dinners. Deviled eggs shine as the star of the show each year on November 2nd. This well-loved food wows guests during the holidays. Designers have even created specially designed carrying dishes and plates just so you can deliver your deviled eggs safely and in style. The deli section of the grocery store prepares packaged deviled eggs. They can even be found in some convenience stores, too. Other names for this devilish dish include eggs mimosa, stuffed egg, salad eggs, or dressed egg. To make them, shell hard-boiled eggs, cut them in half, and scoop out the yolk. The yolk is mixed with other ingredients such as mayonnaise and mustard and then added back into the white. The possibilities are endless! NATIONAL OHIO DAY NATIONAL OHIO DAY November 2, 2025 NATIONAL OHIO DAY On November 2, National Ohio Day recognizes the 17th state to join the United States known as the Buckeye State, the Mother of Modern Presidents, and the first state to enter the country from the Northwest Territory. Elaborate and pre-historic remains of a civilization who created mounds can still be found in parts of Ohio. By the time Europeans began to arrive on the continent, Ohio was primarily populated by Kickapoo, Erie and Shawnee. This Great Lakes State’s northern border includes 312 miles of Lake Erie shoreline. For Ohioans, that’s both an economic and recreational boon. It’s also a natural resource. As the 12th largest lake in the world, the consumable food and water it provides are invaluable. National Broadcast Traffic Professional’s Day National Broadcast Traffic Professional’s Day November 2, 2025 • • • • •
3 COLOR THE WORLD ORANGE DAY COLOR THE WORLD ORANGE DAY November 3, 2025 ## COLOR THE WORLD ORANGE DAY The first Monday in November is dedicated to bringing awareness to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy with Color the World Orange Day. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (CRPS) involves high levels of nerve impulses sent to an affected site in the body. Medical experts believe the condition is a result of a dysfunction in the central or peripheral nervous system. Symptoms vary in severity and usually occur more in women than men. Pain can be intense or worsen over time. In the event of an injury, CRPS can flair and spread beyond the site of the injury. Other symptoms include: stiff and swollen joints decreased mobility changes in hair and nail growth skin changes – color, texture, and temperature may be affected There is no specific test or cure for CRPS. Treatment focuses on pain relief, physical therapy, and psychotherapy. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange, organize an event or participate in one to help spread awareness. Visit the website or the Facebook page to find out more on how to participate. HOW TO OBSERVE #CRPSOrangeDay Plan an event in your community to show support for those with CRPS. Organize your school to wear orange. Plan an orange walk to raise money for research. Have an orange bakesale. Wear orange ribbons to show your support. Read about CRPS to learn about the symptoms and treatments. Ask what you can do to help someone with CRPS. Visit the CTWO Facebook and website for ideas on ways to Color the World Orange. Use #CRPSOrangeDay™ to share on social media. COLOR THE WORLD ORANGE DAY HISTORY Color the World Orange Day was founded in 2014. JOB ACTION DAY JOB ACTION DAY November 3, 2025 JOB ACTION DAY Job Action Day on the first Monday in November redefines the opportunities in the career world. Celebrate by exploring your options. You don’t have to be dissatisfied with your career to participate in the employment-focused day. Gainfully employed, looking, or contemplating a career change, it’s important to always be prepared and keep your options open. Inspecting the current job market can be a valuable tool, whether you’re curious or not. This national day encourages us to get the tools and resources to master a new job search and land the career of our dreams! It’s also possible to learn how to make the job you have into your dream job. Whichever path you are on, Job Action Day is about exploring the different opportunities available, maybe even ones you didn’t know were there. It’s important for job seekers to have all the tools they need to find the careers they are looking for. Explore your options, expand them, and empower yourself to grab that dream job. Are you employed but seeking a change? Examine the options available to you. Are you in the right career? Find out what’s out there and how to go in that direction. New technologies, training, and innovations require advanced approaches to employment all the time. Find the tools to go there. HOW TO OBSERVE #JobActionDay Make a difference in your career path. Whether you’re seeking change, advancement, or recognition, do something about it! Visit LiveCareer to find out more and find events near you. Use #JobActionDay to share on social media. JOB ACTION DAY HISTORY The Quintcareers founded Job Action Day in 2008. NATIONAL HOUSEWIFE’S DAY NATIONAL HOUSEWIFE’S DAY November 3, 2025 NATIONAL HOUSEWIFE’S DAY National Housewife’s Day sets aside November 3rd to recognize the millions of hardworking housewives. The day honors the stay-at-home moms who take care of the children and the home. It’s a 24/7 job that sometimes does not get the thank you that is much deserved. The term housewife is an old term stemming from the days when most families were supported by one income. The father worked, and the mother stayed home to take care of the house and the children. These days, usually both parents work outside the home. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, in 61 % of households with children, both parents work outside the home. Of course, the age of the children impacts how much a parent stays home, too. And it isn’t always the mother who stays home. Sometimes it’s a dad. So, househusbands are on the rise. Cheers to you, too! However, current statistics are difficult to find. NATIONAL SANDWICH DAY NATIONAL SANDWICH DAY November 3, 2025 NATIONAL SANDWICH DAY Whether you stack it high or thin, National Sandwich Day on November 3rd recognizes one of America’s favorite lunch items. The sandwich is believed to be the namesake of John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, following the claim that he was the inventor of the sandwich. No matter who invented it, we celebrate every kind of sandwich. While the modern sandwich is believed to be named after John Montagu, the exact circumstances of its invention and original use are the subject of debate. There is a rumor in a contemporary travel book titled Tour to London, by Pierre Jean Grosley, that formed the popular myth that bread and meat sustained Lord Sandwich at the gambling table. It is said that Lord Sandwich was a very conversant gambler and did not take the time to have a meal during his long hours playing at the card table. When hungry, he would ask his servants to bring him slices of meat between two slices of bread. This practice was a habit that was well known to his gambling friends who soon began to order “the same as Sandwich,” and from this, the sandwich was born. • • • •	4 NATIONAL CANDY DAY NATIONAL CANDY DAY November 4, 2025 NATIONAL CANDY DAY On November 4th we celebrate the sweet holiday, National Candy Day. Candies have a long history of attracting us with their bright colors and delightful flavors. They also come in a variety of fun sizes and shapes. Candy History In the late 13th century, Middle English first began using the word candy. Borrowed from the Old French cucre candi, it is derived in turn from Persian Qand and Qandi, cane sugar. People use the term candy as a broad category. We treat candy bars, chocolates, licorice, sour candies, salty candies, tart candies, hard candies, taffies, gumdrops, marshmallows, and much more as candy. NATIONAL CHICKEN LADY DAY NATIONAL CHICKEN LADY DAY November 4, 2025 NATIONAL CHICKEN LADY DAY National Chicken Lady Day on November 4th annually honors Dr. Marthenia “Tina” Dupree. For 12 years, Dr. Dupree worked for the second-largest chicken restaurant in the world as the Director of Community Relations and Training. She was widely known due to her work in the community. During this time and through her work with the community and the people she helped, Dr. Dupree became known as “The Chicken Lady.” Dr. Dupree led numerous efforts to improve education in her community. She provided training and certification that led to business opportunities to many in her area. She not only led by example, but she enhanced the lives of those around her. • •	5 NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY November 5, 2025 NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY National Doughnut Day on November 5th is one of two observed by doughnut lovers across the nation. The first Friday in June is the other day doughnuts steal the bakery case spotlight ready to tease their way into white bakery box home! For more information on the National Doughnut Day celebrated in June. History disputes the origin of the doughnut. One theory suggests Dutch settlers brought doughnuts to North America much like they brought other traditional American desserts. They receive credit for such desserts as the apple pie, cream pie, and cobbler. Doughnuts come in many shapes. Was the original doughnut round? If so, American, Hanson Gregory laid claim to inventing the ring-shaped doughnut in 1847. He was on-board a lime-trading ship. Only 16 at the time, Gregory claims he punched a hole in the center of dough with the ship’s tin pepper box. Later, he taught the technique to his mother. Traveling further back in time, we look at an English cookbook. According to anthropologist Paul R. Mullins, an 1803 volume included doughnuts in the appendix of American recipes. However, the earliest recorded usage of the term doughnut is found in a short story in a Boston Times article about “fire-cakes and dough-nuts” published in 1808. A more commonly cited first written recording of the word is Washington Irving’s reference to doughnuts in 1809 in his History of New York. He described balls of sweetened dough, fried in hog’s fat. The author called them doughnuts. Today, these nuts of fried dough are called doughnut holes. Another author, William Cullen Bryant describes doughnuts fried in lard in his book Picturesque America; Or, the Land We Live In which was published in 1872. Donut versus Doughnut Print ads for cake and glazed donuts and doughnuts existed from at least 1896 in the United States. George W. Peck published Peck’s Bad Boy and his Pa in 1900. It contained the first known printed use of donut. In it, a character is quoted as saying, “Pa said he guessed he hadn’t got much appetite and he would just drink a cup of coffee and eat a donut.” In 1919, the Square Donut Company of America was founded. Square donuts offer an easier to package product. The more traditional spelling is doughnut. However, both doughnut and donut are pervasive in American English. Doughnuts come in a large variety of recipes, flavors, and toppings. However, just like many pastries, we are only limited by imagination and ingredients at hand. From syrups and jellies to sprinkles and custards, top them, fill them, bake them or fry them. Doughnuts have a mouth-watering way of glazing and dusting their way into our shopping carts. They also slip into the break room at work to share. NATIONAL LOVE YOUR RED HAIR DAY NATIONAL LOVE YOUR RED HAIR DAY November 5, 2025 NATIONAL LOVE YOUR RED HAIR DAY National Love Your Red Hair Day celebrates the beauty of those gorgeous red tresses annually on November 5th. There’s no reason to be shy. Redheads get the spotlight to show of the unique qualities of red hair. Many redheads feel like outcasts for having red hair. This celebration empowers redheads to feel confident, look amazing, and rock their beauty. Red hair is more than a color; it’s a lifestyle. Besides, redheads are rare. Less than 2 percent of the population are crowned with red hair. And those that are may very well be left-handed, too. Lucille Ball Queen Elizabeth I Ron Howard Vincent van Gogh Rupert Grint Carol Burnett\ Bonnie Raitt Wynonna Judd Carrot Top Most natural-born redheads (yes, some of us like the bottle) have brown eyes, followed by green or hazel. Coming in at 1% of the world’s population, the blue-eyed ginger is the rarest kind. And redheads do stand out in a crowd. So, each unique and impressively stunning redhead gets to show off their locks. NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY November 5, 2025 NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY National Stress Awareness Day on the first Wednesday in November aims to identify and reduce the stress factors in your life. Everyone has stress. Some stress is good for us. It helps us to respond to changes in life. Stress is our body’s way of protecting itself from harm. However, too much stress causes harm to our health and relationships. Identifying the stressors impacting our physical and mental health is important. Sometimes, health problems are the cause. But our health can also be affected by external stressors such as physical abuse, stressful work environments, financial stress, or other family health issues. Once we identify the causes of stress in our lives, we can begin to eliminate or reduce stress. Some tools that help with stress include: Develop coping skills for anxiety. Identify and let go of the things you cannot change. Exercise helps us to let go of built-up anxiety. Eating a balanced diet fuels our bodies so we’re able to better cope with the stress. HOW TO OBSERVE #StressAwarenessDay Develop a routine to help you lessen your tension. Go for a walk, do some deep breathing, get some exercise or a massage, or take a long, relaxing bath. If you’re struggling with the amount of stress in your life, seek help. You can speak to your doctor or check with your employer for an assistance program designed to help employees balance their life. Post your ideas using #StressAwarenessDay on social media. NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY HISTORY Carole Spiers, Chair of International Stress Management Association, founded National Stress Awareness Day. • • •	6 NATIONAL CASH BACK DAY NATIONAL CASH BACK DAY November 6, 2025 NATIONAL CASH BACK DAY National Cash Back Day on the first Thursday in November speaks to the savvy shopper in all of us. It’s one big day of exclusive offers that gives you the gift of cash back. Whether shopping for the perfect holiday gifts or saving for that big-ticket item for yourself, finding great deals and saving money makes a smart shopper happy. Cash Back Day takes saving to the next level. You can put money back into your wallet before the holidays, just by shopping! During the holidays, saving is even more critical. We have a list and a budget. Not only do we want to stick to it, but we want to celebrate with all the holiday necessities from gifts, to decorations and even travel. Savvy shoppers know it’s possible to both save and wow during the holidays. That’s what National Cash Back Day is all about. Whether it’s gift-giving, entertaining, travel expenses, the perfect outfit for holiday card photos, or treating yourself to something special, discounts can be found. Shoppers are celebrated by helping them earn cash back when they spend. HOW TO OBSERVE #CashBackDay Whether it’s when to shop, where to shop or how to shop, the tips come flooding in during this celebration and last all year long. Learn more about discounts and savings for all kinds of budgets and styles. Visit CashBackDay.com to find the best cash back offers. Get cash back in your wallet just in time for last-minute shopping or to spend during post-holiday sales. Use #CashBackDay to share on social media. NATIONAL CASH BACK DAY HISTORY RetailMeNot founded National Cash Back Day in 2019 to celebrate shoppers by giving them the gift of cash back. Hundreds of retailers are participating in Cash Back Day to help shoppers get a head-start on their holiday lists. With Cash Back Day, shoppers can save money early in the season and then get their payout right before the holidays for any last-minute essentials or to spend on themselves during post-holiday sales. The Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Cash Back Day in 2019 to be observed on the first Thursday in November annually. For interviews or to learn more, please contact media@rmn.com. About RetailMeNot RetailMeNot, Inc. is a leading savings destination, bringing people and the things they love together through savings with retailers, brands, restaurants and pharmacies. RetailMeNot makes everyday life more affordable through online and in-store coupon codes, cash back offers, gift card deals and the RetailMeNot Genie browser extension. Savings are also provided in consumers’ mailboxes through the RetailMeNot Everyday™ direct mail package, and at the pharmacy with RxSaver by RetailMeNot. RetailMeNot is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harland Clarke Holdings. To learn more, visit www.retailmenot.com/corp or follow @RetailMeNot on social media. NATIONAL MEN MAKE DINNER DAY NATIONAL MEN MAKE DINNER DAY November 6, 2025 NATIONAL MEN MAKE DINNER DAY National Men Make Dinner Day on the first Thursday in November places the man of the house in charge of the kitchen and the evening’s meal. Some men like to cook and do so on a regular basis. To those men, kudos to you! You can submit your favorite recipe on the National Men Make Dinner website. This day was created for the men who do not know their way around the kitchen and are not familiar with cooking appliances, as well as for the women in their lives who need a break. Men need to be aware that there is a list of rules that must be followed, some of which include: The main meal must include a minimum of 4 ingredients and require at least one cooking utensil other than a fork. The man goes shopping for all the necessary ingredients. Clean up as you go. Aprons are optional. For a list of complete rules, see the above-mentioned website. NATIONAL NACHOS DAY NATIONAL NACHOS DAY November 6, 2025 NATIONAL NACHOS DAY On November 6th, National Nachos Day recognizes the snack favored at sporting events across the country. In their purest form, nachos are tortilla chips covered in nacho cheese, queso or other melted cheese and served with salsa. Where Nachos Began First created sometime around 1943, the popular and loved nachos are of Mexican origin. History tells us that Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya created the original nachos in 1943. According to his son, Nacho was the maître d’ at the El Moderno Restaurant in Piedras Negras. One evening after the kitchen staff had left, a group of U.S. Army wives stationed at Fort Duncan in Eagle Pass came into the restaurant. After a long day of shopping, they were hungry and asked for a snack. NATIONAL SAXOPHONE DAY NATIONAL SAXOPHONE DAY November 6, 2025 NATIONAL SAXOPHONE DAY National Saxophone Day commemorates the birth of the woodwind’s inventor, Adolphe Sax, on November 6th. The saxophone is one of the main instruments in jazz music. Born on November 6, 1814, Adolphe Sax invented many musical instruments including the saxophone. Sax constructed saxophones in several sizes in the early 1840s. On June 28, 1846, he received a 15-year patent for the instrument. The patent encompassed 14 different versions of the fundamental design, split into two categories of seven instruments each and ranging from sopranino to contrabass. When is National Jazz Appreciation Month? After Sax’s patent expired in 1866, several saxophonists and instrument manufacturers implemented their own improvements to the original design and key work. Over the years, many great saxophone masters have graced the world with their music. • • • •	7 NATIONAL BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY NATIONAL BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY November 7, 2025 NATIONAL BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY On November 7th, National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day ushers in one of the more healthful ways to enjoy chocolate. Bittersweet chocolate is chocolate liquor to which sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla have been added. It has less sugar and more liquor than semisweet chocolate. However, the two of them may be interchangeable when baking. Recent studies reveal health benefits from eating small quantities of bittersweet chocolate. The addition of almonds increases health benefits as well. Pairing the two of them gives us a delicious and healthy snack. Make them a part of your lunch or enjoy them as part of an afternoon snack. When is National Almond Day? In 1742, Eliza Smith included the only chocolate recipe in her cookbook, The Compleat Housewife, printed by William Parks. The simple recipe combined grated chocolate, orange flower water, and sugar. But, no almonds. NATIONAL CANINE LYMPHOMA AWARENESS DAY NATIONAL CANINE LYMPHOMA AWARENESS DAY November 7, 2025 NATIONAL CANINE LYMPHOMA AWARENESS DAY On November 7th, National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day educates and creates awareness about canine lymphoma. In 2011, the well-known and respected dog agility trainer and competitor, Terry Simons, received devastating news. The veterinarian diagnosed Simon’s “heart and soul” dog, Reveille, with Lymphoma. As an educated dog owner, Terry did all he could for Reveille. However, he soon discovered how elusive accurate information regarding options and treatment could be. Soon, Terry connected with professionals. They helped him choose the best path for his beloved companion. Reveille not only competed in dog agility throughout her treatment but thrived. She even attained the best agility year of her career. When Terry chose to let Reveille go, he knew he was making the right decision for her. However, grief does strange things. It can destroy, and it can inspire. In Terry’s case, Reveille inspired him to form a foundation. In Reveille’s honor, Terry created CLEAR (Canine Lymphoma Education Awareness and Research). The foundation dedicates its efforts to providing information, resources, and research into the devastating disease. Reveille’s legacy ensures dog owners know their options. They become empowered advocates of their four-legged family members. NATIONAL JERSEY FRIDAY NATIONAL JERSEY FRIDAY November 7, 2025 NATIONAL JERSEY FRIDAY On the first Friday in November, express your fandom for your favorite professional players on National Jersey Friday by wearing your team’s jersey! Every weekend during the fall, football fever sweeps the nation, from youth leagues to the professional ranks. Fans from all over the country gather to support their favorite players and teams, sparking a sense of community built upon childhood memories, fantasy football leagues, and age-old rivalries and traditions. On this holiday, everyone has the unique opportunity to ignite a new tradition by wearing their favorite player’s jersey to school, to work, and at home. Gear up and celebrate Jersey Friday! HOW TO OBSERVE #JerseyFriday Sport your favorite professional player’s jersey! Show your spirit by using #JerseyFriday to post on social media with you and your friends. HISTORY NATIONAL JERSEY FRIDAY The National Football League Players Association founded National Jersey Friday to bring fans together on a single day in November and celebrate by wearing their favorite football player’s jersey. NATIONAL RETINOL DAY NATIONAL RETINOL DAY November 7, 2025 NATIONAL RETINOL DAY On November 7th, celebrate the most popular anti-aging skincare ingredient with National Retinol Day! Did you know that retinol is one of the most searched skincare ingredients in the world? As the gold-standard for anti-aging ingredients, retinol is consistently recommended by dermatologists and heralded for its transformative effects on skin. Retinol is a retinoid, a derivative of Vitamin A, and works by boosting skin’s renewal process and helps to diminish signs of aging including lines & wrinkles, sagging skin, and uneven tone and texture. It is also one of the most tested ingredients, which means scientists continue to improve the effectiveness of this popular skincare ingredient year after year. HOW TO OBSERVE – #NationalRetinolDay There are several ways to celebrate National Retinol Day and add the anti-aging ingredient to your skincare routine! Follow RoC Skincare’s Instagram handle (@RoCSkincare) for a chance to receive a free sample and participate in giveaways. Rocskincare.com will also have 25% off all retinol products, and with any purchase you’ll receive free travel sizes of their Retinol Correxion Eye Cream and Serum. The following retailers will be offering deals in honor of National Retinol Day! Target: Buy two RoC products and receive a $5 gift card (running until 11/20/21) CVS: All RoC products up to 25% off Walgreens: Buy two RoC products, Get one free Join the conversation by using #NationalRetinolDay on social media. NATIONAL RETINOL DAY HISTORY RoC® Skincare founded National Retinol Day in 2021 – the year of their 25th anniversary of stabilizing the ingredient they helped optimize and make easily available to consumers. As the leader in retinol, RoC® is launching National Retinol Day to celebrate their most beloved ingredient…and what better day to celebrate than November 7th. As we turn back our clocks, we can celebrate the ingredient that helps turn back time on our skin! The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the first National Retinol Day to be observed on November 7, 2021, and every year thereafter. About RoC Skincare RoC® was the first to discover the method for stabilizing retinol, combining it with other ingredients, like antioxidants, minerals and boosters, to make it safe and effective for daily use. RoC® has been perfecting this formula for more than 25 years with over 100 clinical studies, 75 safety studies, and 35 patents. RoC® is one of the only skincare brands to have completed a one-year clinical study proving that the benefits of RoC® Retinol formulas increase with time and do not plateau. Every formula is scientifically crafted and clinically tested to ensure the best quality and efficacy. Year after year, RoC® formulas are dermatologist-recommended, recognized by industry leaders and beloved by consumers – as proven by its status of being the #1 Most Awarded Retinol Brand in America and the brand’s eye cream being the #1 selling Retinol Eye Cream in the U.S. • • • •	8 NATIONAL CAPPUCCINO DAY NATIONAL CAPPUCCINO DAY November 8, 2025 NATIONAL CAPPUCCINO DAY National Cappuccino Day on November 8th whips up a frothy, hot cup of cappuccino. It’s a perfect drink on a frosty morning, meeting with friends or just to enjoy a creamy cuppa. Traditionally prepared with espresso, hot milk, and steamed milk foam, a cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink. The word cappuccino comes from the Capuchin friars and is the diminutive form of cappuccio in Italian, meaning hood or something that covers the head. This popular coffee beverage got its name not from the hood on their habits but from the color of the hooded robes that the friars wore. (The Capuchin friars is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans.) In 1945 Achille Gaggia invented the modern espresso machine which further popularized the cappuccino. The Mid 1990s – Cappuccino was made more widely available to North Americans as upscale coffee houses sprang up. Late 1990′s to Early 2000′s – Cappuccinos became popular in the United States concurrent with the boom in the American coffee industry. The start of the 21st Century – A modified short-cut version of the cappuccino started being served at fast-food chains. While steaming the milk you must pay close attention to attain the correct ratio of foam, thus making the cappuccino one of the most difficult espresso-based beverages to make properly. A skilled barista may create artistic shapes while he/she is pouring milk on top of the espresso coffee. HOW TO OBSERVE #CappuccinoDay Visit your favorite coffee shop to enjoy a nice hot and delicious cup of cappuccino. While you’re there, give them a shout out using #CappuccinoDay to post on social media. Read up on your coffee history while enjoying a delicious cup. We found 11 Historic Coffe Milestones to perk you right up! You can also shop at National Day Calendar®! Get your CelebrateEveryDay® coffee to sip all year long! NATIONAL CAPPUCCINO DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious coffee beverage. NATIONAL HARVEY WALLBANGER DAY NATIONAL HARVEY WALLBANGER DAY November 8, 2025 NATIONAL HARVEY WALLBANGER DAY National Harvey Wallbanger Day on November 8th recognizes a fruity and spirited cocktail made with 3 parts vodka, 1 part Galliano and 6 parts orange juice. Pour it into a highball glass and garnish it with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. In 1968 at a chili tasting in San Diego, hosts served Harvey Wallbangers along with a story explaining the cocktail’s origin. According to the story, all that remained of a Laguna Beach party included vodka, Galliano, and orange juice. When the party-goers left, Harvey remained, banging his head against the wall. Donato ‘Duke’ Antone However, accepted lore three-time-world-champion bartender, Donato ‘Duke’ Antone, deserves the credit for the cocktail’s invention. He operated Duke’s Blackwatch Bar on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Over the years, Antone collected quite a few credits for famous beverages. As a bartender, his resume was impressive – inventor of the Rusty Nail, White Russian, and Flaming Russian. According to the bartending wizard, in 1952, a surfer named Tony Wallbanger inspired the cocktail. Perhaps, the party in Laguna Beach is a version of Antone’s. However, no one has been able to identify the inspirational surfer. Harvey Wallbanger remained a quiet little secret in the San Diego area until around 1968. Then George Bednar, a marketing director for McKesson Imports Company (the maker of Galliano), joined up with graphic artist Bill Young. Their marketing campaign launched a Harvey Wallbanger character that exploded into commercial popularity in the late 1960s and 1970s. Harvey Wallbanger is the name and I can be made! ~ 1969 Galliano marketing slogan The drink’s name became a metaphor to describe someone who goofs off or makes mistakes. When politicians or sports figures find themselves in compromising positions, they may earn the name Harvey Wallbanger. And it’s also interesting to note that voters write in Harvey Wallbanger at election time. HOW TO OBSERVE #HarveyWallbangerDay Call some of your friends to get together. Meet them at your local bar, and everyone orders a Harvey Wallbanger. Raise your glasses and toast a Happy National Harvey Wallbanger Day!! (Remember always to drink responsibly and never to drink and drive). Use #HarveyWallbangerDay to post on social media. NATIONAL HARVEY WALLBANGER DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this spirited holiday. NATIONAL PARENTS AS TEACHERS DAY NATIONAL PARENTS AS TEACHERS DAY November 8, 2025 NATIONAL PARENTS AS TEACHERS DAY National Parents as Teachers Day on November 8th encourages Parent Teachers Organizations and parents to join forces to support children in their educational goals. Parents as Teachers Organizations offer educational services to parents across the country. These affiliates give all parents of young children support, and it also provides information so all children learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential. The concept for Parents as Teachers developed in the 1970s in Missouri. There, educators noted that children were beginning kindergarten with varying levels of school readiness. Research showed that greater parent involvement is a critical link in the child’s development of learning skills, including reading and writing. The day provides tools, resources, and support to parents to better guide them and their children. HOW TO OBSERVE #ParentsAsTeachersDay Take some time to teach your children something new. Join a local organization to help improve education in your community. Use #ParentsAsTeachersDay to post on social media. Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® classroom to find projects, inspiration and ways to Celebrate Every Day with your students. NATIONAL PARENTS AS TEACHERS DAY HISTORY The Parents as Teachers National Center in St. Louis, Missouri declared the first Parents as Teachers Day in 2001. They offered supporting community events spreading awareness of early childhood programs. NATIONAL S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. DAY NATIONAL S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. DAY November 8, 2025 NATIONAL S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. DAY National S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. Day on November 8th calls for full S.T.E.A.M. ahead! The day inspires kids to explore and pursue their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Inspired by the Project Mc² brand, created by MGA Entertainment, the S.T.E.A.M.- based franchise features four super smart girls who are part of a super-secret spy organization called NOV8 (that’s “innovate”). Fun fact: The November 8th date is a play on words for the same as that super-secret organization, NOV8, making it the perfect date to inspire innovation! Why is S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. so important, now more than ever before? S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. is all around us and shapes our everyday experiences Of the U.S. Labor Department’s predicted 10 fastest growing occupations, nearly all of them are S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. careers; therefore an interest in S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. early on can lead to success later on in life The U.S. has fallen behind other nations in science and math education; we need to motivate young kids to pursue these subjects to keep up with the rest of the world We must close the gender gap that exists in S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. related-careers. Building interest in girls is critical to their future earning potential. HOW TO OBSERVE #STEMSTEAMDay You can celebrate National S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M Day by tuning into the Netflix original series Project Mc², or by visiting www.projectmc2.com where you can become an honorary member of NOV8 and go on super-secret spy missions with the Project Mc² characters; McKeyla, Adrienne, Bryden, and Camryn. Use #STEMSTEAMDay to post on social media. Let’s innovate together and prove that Smart Is The New Cool!™ Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® classroom to find projects, inspiration and ways to Celebrate Every Day with your students. NATIONAL S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. DAY HISTORY In 2015, MGA Entertainment founded National S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. Day to inspire students in the world of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed it will be celebrated annually on November 8th. • • • •	9 MICROTIA AWARENESS DAY MICROTIA AWARENESS DAY November 9, 2025 MICROTIA AWARENESS DAY Microtia Awareness Day dedicates November 9th to spreading hope and knowledge concerning a congenital disability, which derives its name from the Latin terms for little ears. Mark the calendar and think of the number 9 as the shape of an ear. 1 in 9,000 Approximately one child in every 9,000 is born with Microtia. Microtia occurs when the ear or ears do not fully develop during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. While Microtia is diagnosed at birth, there is no understanding of why Microtia occurs. Those born with Microtia face hearing loss, facial challenges, and the longing for social acceptance. For most parents, the day of their child’s birth turns from celebration to concern and uncertainty. Initially, aside from the arrival of their beautiful new baby, they notice the outward signs of the condition – a small, curiously shaped ear or no ear at all. Depending on where these families live, doctors and nurses may be well versed in the condition. They quickly educate and prepare parents, reassuring them. In other regions, however, the condition is rare. Misinformation or lack of information quickly evaporates any remaining sense of celebration that accompanies a birth. Often when answers aren’t forthcoming, hopes and dreams become overshadowed by unnecessary challenges to a joyous occasion. However, there are options and support! Microtia Awareness Day promotes public awareness. Additionally, the day spreads hope that future generations of families will leave the hospital armed with more answers than questions and their dreams for their child intact.Don’t Know They’re Different When children are born, they don’t know they are any different from anyone else. Many with Microtia share similar stories of curious stares, bullying, or awkwardness. Individual personalities, social conditioning, available treatments, and bullying all impact how every child develops and copes as an adult. By removing unnecessary boundaries and replacing them with resources, tools, and support, we can eliminate bullying and clear the way for an even more successful future. In addition to self-acceptance and loving oneself, advancements in technology improve the lives of those with Microtia. Some of the advancements that help those with microtia include hearing aids implants surgical procedures bio-ears that create new outer ears 3-D printing But research requires time, trials, and support. Even the untapped potential of 3-D printing is promising! Those with Microtia are a fantastic community of people. Their stories repeatedly tell that with and without technology, medical procedures, or innovative research, the most significant advancement of all is human support, awareness, and acceptance. HOW TO OBSERVE #MicrotiaAwarenessDay While celebrating the day, share your story. Learn more about Microtia and show support for those with the condition. Use #MicrotiaAwarenessDay to share on social media. Audio Player00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. MICROTIA AWARENESS DAY HISTORY The Ear Community Organization founded Microtia Awareness Day in 2016 and was submitted by the Tumblin family. Melissa Tumblin founded Ear Community in 2010 after stumbling through the hurdles and challenges of finding answers for her daughter when she was born with Microtia. Since then, Ear Community has brought over 6,500 people together from around the world at the organization’s events, making it possible to share experiences and resources. The community is made up of not only children and adults with Microtia and their families, but teachers, advocates, and medical professionals from around the world who foster awareness and assistance for this fantastic group of people. Board members either have the condition or a family member who does, so they have close personal experience with the obstacles from a myriad of perspectives. NATIONAL LOUISIANA DAY NATIONAL LOUISIANA DAY November 9, 2025 NATIONAL LOUISIANA DAY On November 9, National Louisiana Day recognizes the state that brought us such treasures as Jazz, Creole and American Mardi Gras. Throughout the history of the state, the blending of race and culture have resulted in the Delta’s own unique flair that brings visitors from around the world seeking to taste their food, hear their music and see their style. When French explorers first arrived, several diverse tribes populated the area. Many of their population were decimated by disease and war. Natchez, Choctaw or Chitimacha descendants still survive today. In 1803, Louisiana became territory when the United States completed negotiations with France for the 828,000 mile Louisiana Purchase. The first of 15 states to be carved out of the region, Louisianna entered the United States in 1812. Within its mysterious gulf, Louisiana holds the secrets of pirates, conflicts of slavery and the paths of progress. The bayou teems with life and stories untold. Louisiana epitomizes the phrase “melting pot” probably more than any other state. Throughout the history of the state, Native American, French, Spanish, German, African, Irish and Caribean cultures have blended in a variety of ways creating a diverse and distinct culture in the bayou. From the food to the language, the music and history, Cajun (French Canadian or Acadian), Creole (European, African, Caribbean or Spanish mixed ancestry) and even the landscape impact the enchantment that is Louisiana. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalLouisianaDay On November 9, join National Day Calendar as we celebrate Louisiana’s treasures and mysteries. Uncover hidden the hidden gulf coast and find all the adventures Louisiana has to offer! Use #NationalLouisianaDay to share on social media. NATIONAL SCRAPPLE DAY NATIONAL SCRAPPLE DAY November 9, 2025 NATIONAL SCRAPPLE DAY National Scrapple Day on November 9th recognizes the first pork food invented in America. For those not familiar with scrapple, it is traditionally a mush of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal, wheat flour, and spices, such as sage, thyme, savory and black pepper. The mush is then formed into a semi-solid loaf, sliced and pan-fried. Scrapple is also known by the Pennsylvania Dutch name pon haus, and the immediate ancestor of scrapple was the Low German dish called panhas. Local settlers adapted the dish to make use of locally available ingredients. In parts of Pennsylvania, it is still called Pannhaas, panhoss, ponhoss, or pannhas. When is National Pennsylvania Day? During the 17th and 18th centuries, German colonists who settled near Philadelphia and Chester County, Pennsylvania, developed the first recipes for scrapple. With such a rich heritage, many strongly associate scrapple with rural areas surrounding Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, eastern Virginia, and the Delmarva Peninsula. Supermarkets offer scrapple throughout the regions in both refrigerated and frozen cases. Did you know some recipes for scrapple include beef, chicken, or turkey? Instead of pan-frying scrapple, try deep-frying or broiling it for a different texture. Scrapple makes an excellent breakfast sidedish. Try your scrapple with a side of apple butter, ketchup, jelly, maple syrup, honey, horseradish, or mustard. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalScrappleDay Introduce a friend to this regional favorite. Take them out to your favorite restaurant serving scrapple. While you’re there, give the cook a shout out! Another way to celebrate is by sharing your best scrapple recipes or trying your hand at some of these tasty eats. And don’t forget to use #NationalScrappleDay to share your celebration on social media, too! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/scrapple/ http://www.cooks.com/recipe/pt6o151m/scrapple.html http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/359/ChickenScrapple61687.shtml NATIONAL SCRAPPLE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this American food holiday. • • •
10 NATIONAL CIVIC PRIDE DAY NATIONAL CIVIC PRIDE DAY November 10, 2025 NATIONAL CIVIC PRIDE DAY \| November 10 On November 10 we celebrate National Civic Pride Day and inspire everyone to promote the dynamic communities they live in. #NationalCivicPrideDay Civic pride belongs to the people who are at the heart of the city they live in. It brings communities together and encourages everyone to feel a sense of pride by creating and maintaining a healthy city or town. Today, we want to inspire everyone to get involved in their community and show support by improving the place you live and work. Why is civic pride important? The importance of civic pride means every community member feels a sense of pride for where they live. The people who live in a community are the same people who help their hometowns become better places to live. Businesses, schools, public service agencies, and community members all contribute to the efforts of making their community thrive. These contribution efforts are called civic pride. How can I support civic pride? Supporting civic pride is easy to do. In fact, most people participate in civic pride and don’t realize it. Participating in civic pride is essential for any community member. It builds trust between members in the community and in office, keeps dialog open about key issues, and creates better relationships between all residents. Civic pride: Enables citizens to influence local laws and policies that effect their community. Helps promote and learn local values of businesses and residents. Supports economic growth. Encourages people who are overlooked or underheard to become a part of solutions and ideas. Community Engagement Engagement or participating in civic pride is when any member or groups of members engage in public concerns, issues, or activities. When community members work together to protect the public interests and improve the standard of living within their community, the values of civic pride are taking place. Addressing and promoting concerns and ideas increases the quality of life for every member of a community. Support for civic pride is needed in every city and town to encourage fair democracy. The importance of having representation for all demographic backgrounds is essential. Oftentimes, minority groups feel underrepresented in communities because many are unaware of the benefits of civil engagement. Good civic engagement encourages everyone in their community to become a part of civic pride. It also means providing opportunities in neighborhoods to engage in civic pride. Symbolism of Civic Pride Many towns and cities across the world have their own symbol of civic pride. Normally, the symbolism is in the form of a landmark, such as a statue, monument or special marker. In fact, you can find most of these items in the middle of the town, such as a center or town square. The United States has amazing places to visit and explore. You can find the real meaning behind civic pride when you realize how communities work together to provide visitors an unforgettable experience. Extraordinary Civic Pride Destinations Griffith Observatory – California Cliff Palace – Colorado Amana Colonies – Iowa Cabildo – Louisiana Faneuil Hall- Massachusetts September 11 Memorial and Museum – New York Chaco Culture National Historical Park – New Mexico Fort Union Trading Post – North Dakota Fort Sumter – South Carolina The Alamo – Texas United States Capital – Washington, DC PARTICIPATE IN CIVIC PRIDE Volunteer for an organization in your community. Attend fundraisers that raise money for community projects. Start a community garden to encourage community engagement. Participate in regular clean-up weeks to keep your city looking nice. Work with the local tourist agency to encourage visitors to your city. Provide information about ways to get involved in organizations. Share your story and photos of civic pride engagement and post on social media using #NationalCivicPrideDay FOUNDER OF NATIONAL CIVIC PRIDE DAY Explore Houma and National Day Calendar announce the newly founded National Civic Pride Day to be celebrated each year on November 10. The idea to create the day started with Explore Houma’s efforts to revitalize their downtown. They promote a strong belief for residents to have pride in their hometown and encourage everyone to participate and value to their city. A Look Back Civic pride has been around for a very long time. In fact, people around the world have always participated in ways to make their communities better. For Americans, the war of 1812 played a pivotal roll in how our country would unite as one and step away from the identification of single states or territories. During the war of 1812, people were identifying with the colony they lived in. For example, people from Maryland were Marylanders, while people from Virginia were Virginians. Whether you were fighting for the British or fighting for the Americans, the split between people who all lived in the United States began thinking about one group of people as Americans. In addition, the creation of the American flag during this time also became a prominent symbol uniting all people in the nation. NATIONAL FORGET-ME-NOT DAY NATIONAL FORGET-ME-NOT DAY November 10, 2025 NATIONAL FORGET-ME-NOT DAY National Forget-Me-Not Day on November 10th reminds Americans of the sacrifices returning soldiers have made of body, blood, and limb. Created in 1921 to remind Americans of the National Forget-Me-Not Day originally raised funds for services for returning injured soldiers. At the time, there was no program in place to support them. The Forget-Me-Not is a flower symbolizing remembrance. The Alpine Forget-Me-Not is the official state flower of Alaska. The forget-me-not grows well throughout the open, rocky places, high in the mountains of Alaska. HOW TO OBSERVE #ForgetMeNotDay Remember to support our disabled veterans. Volunteer, donate, and wear a forget-me-not. Use #ForgetMeNotDay to post on social media. NATIONAL FORGET ME NOW DAY HISTORY Forget-Me-Not Day hearkens back to The Great War. At that time, wounded soldiers returned requiring continued care long after the war ended. While the wounded veterans’ plight was not new, no services existed to treat their needs. Additionally, the government was unprepared for the number of returning wounded. Very few services and organizations existed to provide the care and support the veterans needed. Eventually, a movement to remember and deliver services to returning soldiers began in earnest in 1921. And that movement began thanks to one injured soldier. Judge Robert S. Marx Judge Robert S. Marx called on the nation to establish a day reminding the country of their veteran’s sacrifices. The day also recognized the needs of disabled soldiers, creating a fundraising platform as a way to provide the necessary services wounded veterans needed. The day was called Forget-Me-Not Day and funds were raised by selling forget-me-nots. The first published occurrence of this day was on December 17, 1921. Injured on November 10, 1918, Marx served during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He returned to the United States from his injuries soon afterward. Since he practiced law before entering the military, Marx took up his practice once more. Soon, Marx was elected judge. Before long, his interest in veteran’s affairs became apparent. From fundraising to speeches, Marx made the rounds. When In 1920, the Disabled American Veterans of the World War (DAVWW) was founded, Judge Marx became the first leader of the organization. The DAVWW held their first National Caucus on September 25, 1920. Through the DAVWW in 1922 the first official Forget-Me-Not Day fundraising campaign launched on November 11th. NATIONAL VANILLA CUPCAKE DAY NATIONAL VANILLA CUPCAKE DAY November 10, 2025 NATIONAL VANILLA CUPCAKE DAY Cupcake lovers celebrate each year on National Vanilla Cupcake Day. These small cakes get their day on November 10th. Indulge in one or several. Cupcakes have also been known as: Fairy Cakes Patty Cakes Cup Cakes (different from Cupcakes (one-word) Cupcakes can be traced back to 1796 when a recipe notation for a cake to be baked in small cups was written in American Cookery (by Amelia Simmons). The earliest known documentation of the term cupcake was in 1828 in Seventy-five Receipts for Pastry, Cakes, and Sweetmeats in Eliza Leslie’s Receipts cookbook. Cupcakes were originally baked in heavy pottery cups. Today, some bakers still use individual ramekins, small coffee mugs, larger teacups, or other small ovenproof pottery-type dishes for baking their cupcakes. Today, cupcakes are an artform. Bakers create elaborate decorations and displays utilizing a variety of ingredients. Whether they’re the centerpiece of a wedding, birthday, or anniversary cupcakes satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Colorful and fun, these single-serving delights offer a pleasing option when planning any celebration. HOW TO OBSERVE #VanillaCupcakeDay Decorate some fabulous tasting vanilla cupcakes to share. Invite family and friends to enjoy them or take them to work. Have a cupcake bake-off. Deliver the cupcakes to local nursing homes or other organizations as a surprise. Give a shoutout to your favorite baker. Share their outstanding designs. Enjoy one of the following vanilla cupcake recipes. Classic Vanilla Cupcakes Raspberry Filled Vanilla Cupcakes Sour Cream Cupcakes Use #VanillaCupcakeDay to post on social media. NATIONAL VANILLA CUPCAKE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this sweet confection day. UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY November 10, 2025 UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY On November 10th, The United States Marine Corps Birthday commemorates the establishment of the Continental Marines. The United States Marine Corps, a branch of the United States Armed Forces, is responsible for providing power protection from the sea. They use the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. The Continental Congress first established the Continental Marines on November 10, 1775, leading up to the American Revolution. Two battalions of Marines fought for independence both on land and at sea. The birth of the U.S. Marine Corps began as a way to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War. The recruiting headquarters was in the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia, which is considered to be the birthplace of the Marines. The Corps was abolished at the end of the Revolutionary War. However, on July 11, 1798, Congress ordered the creation of the Corps. Congress named it the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and directed that it be available for service under the Secretary of the Navy. Marine Corps Presence The USMC shares many resources with the other branches of the United States military. However, the Corps has sought to maintain its own identity with regards to mission, funding, and assets while utilizing the support available from the larger military branches. Despite having fewer installations than other branches, the Marine Corps maintains a presence on many Army posts, Naval stations, and Air Force bases. In his birthday greeting more than 70 years ago, General Alexander Vandegrift, our 18th Commandant noted that “A birthday is a fitting time to peer backward – and forward.” That year, Marines reflected on an extraordinary year in combat during their amphibious drive across the Pacific. Despite the challenges and the horrific conditions, Marines prevailed at Guam, Saipan, and Peleliu. On 10 November 1944, Marines looked back with pride on their accomplishment – confident in their ability to meet future challenges. In 2004, 20,000 Marines deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq – many Marines celebrated the birthday in places like Fallujah, Ramadi, and Al Qaim while decisively engaged in combat. That year, Marines also responded to the crisis in the Pacific following a tsunami claiming the lives of more than 200,000 people. On 10 November 2004, Marines looked back with pride on their accomplishments – confident in their ability to meet future challenges. Some things change. Marines adapt. Their organization, training, and equipment change to the operating environment. However, some things remain the same. Marines continue to attack challenges with the same courage, commitment, loyalty, self-sacrifice, and adaptability as their predecessors in Peleliu and Fallujah. On 10 November 2014, Marines looked back with pride on our accomplishments- confident in our ability to meet future challenges. HOW TO OBSERVE #MarineCorpsBirthday If you know a Marine, thank them for their service. Attend Marine Corps Birthday celebrations. Use #MarineCorpsBirthday to post on social media. UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY HISTORY In 1921, General John Archer Lejeune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, initiated the tradition of publishing a reminder of honorable service to all Marine commands on the anniversary of the Corps’ birth. Since then, the United States Marine Corps members have honored the establishment of their military branch every year by republishing General Lejeune’s reminder. Gradually, they added balls and banquets to the birthday celebration. The first formal dance took place in 1923 at the Ft. Mifflin Marine Barracks in Pennsylvania. Other events include mock battles, sporting events, and races. In 1925, the historic Benjamin Franklin Hotel hosted the first formal Marine Ball. The ball honored the 150th birthday of the Marine Corp. General Lejeune and Secretary of War Dwight Davis attended. Commandant, General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. brought even more tradition to the warriors, always faithful and always loyal to each other, their country and their traditions. Beginning in 1952, the formal cake cutting ceremony began. During the ceremony, the first piece goes to the oldest Marine present and the second piece to the youngest. This tradition is still practiced today. • • • •	11 NATIONAL SUNDAE DAY NATIONAL SUNDAE DAY November 11, 2025 NATIONAL SUNDAE DAY On November 11th, National Sundae Day brings a celebration to ice cream lovers across the country. Enjoy one of every flavor and bring a friend! An ice cream sundae typically consists of one or two scoops of ice cream topped with syrup or sauce. The sundae is often topped with whipped cream, maraschino cherry, sprinkles, pineapple or a variety of other toppings. July 25 – National Hot Fudge Sundae Day July 7 – National Strawberry Sundae DaySundae History While the oldest known record of an ice cream sundae is an Ithaca, NY advertisement, the originator of the dessert is still debated. The October 5, 1892 ad in the Ithaca Daily Journal spelled the ice cream treat with the conventional day of the week spelling – Sunday. However, Two Rivers, Wisconsin claims Druggist Edward Berners served the first ice cream sundae in 1881. According to the story, customer George Hallauer ordered an ice cream soda on a Sunday. Ordinances at the time prohibited the sale of ice cream sodas on the Sabbath. Even so, Berners came up with a compromise. He served the ice cream in a dish minus the soda. Additionally, he topped it with chocolate syrup. Given the day, he called it a Sundae. One interesting catch – Berners was 18 at the time the story takes place. Ithaca’s claim to the ice cream sundae takes place at Platt & Colt Pharmacy in 1892 where Reverend John M. Scott stops to order a bowl of ice cream. When Chester Platt, proprietor, began preparing the ice cream for his customer, he didn’t stop at just a couple of scoops of vanilla. Platt drizzled cherry syrup over the ice cream and topped them with a bright red, candied cherry. The dessert looked and tasted so delightful it required its own name. Since the day was Sunday, it was named for the day it was created. Ithaca also has historical evidence supporting the story, including an advertisement for a Cherry Sunday. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSundaeDay Make yourself a sundae or go out with friends and order one. Use #NationalSundaeDay to post on social media. NATIONAL SUNDAE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this cool and creamy celebration. VETERANS DAY VETERANS DAY November 11, 2025 VETERANS DAY Veterans Day on November 11th honors military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. The federal holiday coincides with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which marks World War I. These observances reflect the end of significant hostilities at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany took effect. Initially, the United States observed Armistice Day as well. However, it evolved into the current Veterans Day in 1954. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day or Armed Forces Day. Veterans Day celebrates all United States military veterans. However, Memorial Day is set aside for remembering the men and women who died while serving. Additionally, Armed Forces Day recognizes the men and women currently serving in the United States military. HOW TO OBSERVE #VeteransDay Since Veterans Day is a federally designated holiday, many businesses and schools close for the day. Additionally, employers may recognize their veteran employees through special events. Throughout the day, local, state, and federal organizations host Veterans Day ceremonies. Non-essential federal government offices close on this holiday, including all United States Post Offices. As a result, postal workers make no deliveries. Additionally, all federal workers receive holiday pay on Veterans Day. However, those who are required to work sometimes receive holiday pay in addition to their wages. Attend a ceremony and take a veteran you know out for a meal. Organize a veteran appreciation luncheon at your work or in your community. The United States Marine Corps customarily observes its birthday (November 10, 1775) and Veterans Day as a 96-hour liberty period. Veterans Day Spelling It is grammatically acceptable to write or print the holiday as Veteran’s Day or Veterans’ Day. However, the United States government declared the observance using the attributive (no apostrophe) rather than the possessive case in the official spelling. Thank a veteran and use #VeteransDay to post on social media. VETERANS DAY HISTORY U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day on November 11, 1919. At the time, he said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.” “Hunger does not breed reform, it breeds madness.” ~President Woodrow Wilson The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926. The resolution requested that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11th with appropriate ceremonies. A Congressional Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday: “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.'” Raymond Weeks In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama, expressed an idea. Weeks proposed to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans who served in the U.S. military. Weeks led a delegation to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who supported the idea of National Veterans Day. Then in 1947, Weeks led the first national celebration in Alabama. Annually, the country recognized its veterans until he died in 1985. President Reagan honored him at the White House in 1982. Weeks earned the Presidential Citizenship Medal as the driving force for the national holiday. Elizabeth Dole prepared the briefing for President Reagan, calling Weeks the “Father of Veterans Day.”1954 U.S. Representative Ed Rees from Emporia, Kansas, presented a bill establishing the holiday through Congress. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954. Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954, replacing “Armistice” with “Veterans,” and it has been known as Veterans Day since. 1971 Initially, the country observed Veterans Day on November 11th. However, starting in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act required the federal holiday to be moved. Congress scheduled the observance for the fourth Monday of October. In 1978, Congress moved it back to its original celebration on November 11th. While the legal holiday remains on November 11th, if that date happens to be on a Saturday or Sunday, then organizations that formally observe the holiday will generally be closed on the adjacent Friday or Monday, respectively. There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®! • •	12 NATIONAL CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL DAY NATIONAL CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL DAY November 12, 2025 NATIONAL CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL DAY National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day celebrates who you are and how you get there. Take time to nurture your soul on November 12th. A little chicken soup does a lot of good. It’s warm and hearty. As we cup our hands around the bowl, the heat radiates into our bodies. The steam hits our face with a comforting aroma. Similar to what chicken soup does for our bodies, the regular nurturing of our souls benefits our health. Whether you pick up a book, meditate or go for a long walk, reflect on who you are and your achievements. HOW TO OBSERVE #ChickenSoupForTheSoulDay Celebrate you. Have some chicken soup and read an inspiring story. Our pages are full of them. Write an inspiring story or read one from one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Other ways to celebrate the day include: Tell an inspiring story to a friend or family member. It will lift their spirits and remind them that you care about them. Try a new recipe and make it a double batch. Then share it with someone who needs some cheering up. Do something wholesome for yourself. Listen to some soulful music. Watch a movie with an uplifting message. While you’re celebrating National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day, be sure to share it with someone else. Celebrations are always better together. Whether it’s via video chat or face to face, spread that warmth and cheer. Use #ChickenSoupForTheSoulDay to post on social media. NATIONAL CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this positive day. While the publisher and consumer goods company, Chicken Soup for the Soul began publishing in 1993 with its headquarters in Cos Cob, Connecticut, it did not create the day. The first book, as most subsequent titles in the series, was of true stories written by ordinary people about their own lives and soon became a best-seller. Since then, they have published approximately 250 books full of thousands of stories and inspiring all ages. However, the first known publication of National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day can be found in a publication call Creative Forecasting in 2002. The listing included a suggestion to read a Chicken Soup for the Soul book to a resident. This publisher creates activity lists for retirement facilities and other organizations. What began as a newsletter in 1989 has grown to a magazine and website. NATIONAL FRENCH DIP DAY NATIONAL FRENCH DIP DAY November 12, 2025 NATIONAL FRENCH DIP DAY On November 12th, warm up some au jus and celebrate National French Dip Day! Served up hot, tender slices of beef or pork on a French roll make up a delicious sandwich. Sometimes cheese is added. However, the key ingredients are the au jus and spicy mustard. The combination of tender beef swimming in a flavor bath of pan drippings absorbed into the crusty roll makes the French dip a decadent, multi-napkin experience everyone needs to have. And if you’ve never had one before, follow the instructions below and find one. When your order arrives, apply a generous helping of mustard. Next, dunk your sandwich into the au jus for 2-3 seconds. Permit the bread to soak up the delicious, au jus. Be prepared for a flavor experience when you take your first bite of a French dip! HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFrenchDipDay As always, the best way to Celebrate Every Day is to introduce a friend to a French Dip and get one for yourself, too! Be sure to take a photo and share using #NationalFrenchDipDay to share on social media. While you’re at it, show us your dunking style. Give us your best dipping tips. NATIONAL FRENCH DIP DAY HISTORY Cole’s French Dip, the originator of the French Dip sandwich, founded National French Dip Day in 2018 in honor of the 110th anniversary of their opening on November 12, 1908, in historic downtown Los Angeles. The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the observance to be observed annually on November 12th. NATIONAL PIZZA WITH THE WORKS EXCEPT ANCHOVIES DAY NATIONAL PIZZA WITH THE WORKS EXCEPT ANCHOVIES DAY November 12, 2025 NATIONAL PIZZA WITH THE WORKS EXCEPT ANCHOVIES DAY National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day says to hold the fishes! Anchovy lovers move over on November 12th. All the other pizza lovers get their due and pile on their toppings. This annual pizza holiday gets the spotlight with olives, pepperoni, sausage, peppers, and onions. How about mushrooms, bacon, or pineapple? Approved! Just no fishy business on this national day, or no pizza for you! Classified as an oily fish, Anchovies are a family of small, common salt-water forage fish. There are 144 species found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Anchovies are small, green fish. They have blue reflections caused by the silver longitudinal stripe, which begins at the base of the caudal fin. Traditionally, anchovies are processed in a salt brine and then packed in oil or salt, resulting in a strong, characteristic flavor. Optionally they may be pickled in vinegar, giving the anchovies a milder taste. Pizza History (sans anchovies) In ancient Greece, the Greeks covered their bread with oils, herbs, and cheese. Some believe this practice is the beginning of the pizza. In Byzantine Greek, the word was spelled “πίτα,” pita, meaning pie. The Romans developed a sheet of dough topped with cheese and honey. They then flavored it with bay leaves. The modern pizza began in Italy as the Neapolitan flatbread. The original pizza used only mozzarella cheese. The mozzarella was produce in Naples and usually the highest quality buffalo mozzarella variant. In 1997, the United States produced an estimated 2 billion pounds of pizza cheese annually. The first United States pizza establishment opened in 1905 was in New York’s Little Italy. Americans love pizza. So much so, it’s one of our favorite meals. Now that you know all the ways pizzas are made, just be sure to leave the fishing pole at home, because this holiday is called National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day. Understood? • • •	13 NATIONAL INDIAN PUDDING DAY NATIONAL INDIAN PUDDING DAY November 13, 2025 NATIONAL INDIAN PUDDING DAY National Indian Pudding Day recognizes a cold-weather classic. On November 13th each year, serve up this traditional New England dessert that’s sure to wow. In the seventeenth century, English colonists brought hasty pudding to North America, transforming it. Although they initially made the pudding with wheat, due to a shortage of grain, the colonists eventually cornmeal. Since the colonists had learned to cultivate maize (corn) from the indigenous peoples, the crop was readily available. The colonists derived the name for Indian pudding from their name for cornmeal, Indian meal. They also replaced the water with milk. For added flavor, cooks add either molasses or maple syrup. Other ingredients they added include cinnamon, ground ginger, butter, eggs, raisins, and nuts. They then slowly baked the Indian pudding for several hours. Baking transforms the pudding’s texture from the original porridge-like quality of hasty pudding to a much smoother quality which is more typical of custard. Before 1900, most American cookbooks included a recipe for Indian pudding. By the 20th-century, commercial puddings with an industrially perfect creamy consistency replaced the popularity of Indian pudding. The long cooking time required for Indian pudding did not appeal to 20th century home cooks. However, during the autumn holidays, Indian pudding some restaurants serve the dish due to its fall traditions. Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream pair nicely with Indian pudding. HOW TO OBSERVE #IndianPuddingDay While Indian pudding may take a long time to cook, it’s worth the wait. Try making some Indian pudding using this Slow Cooker Indian Pudding Recipe. And when you do, be sure to take a picture and share your triumphant reward. You know others will want to join you then. Use #IndianPuddingDay to post on social media. NATIONAL INDIAN PUDDING DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday. WORLD KINDNESS DAY WORLD KINDNESS DAY November 13, 2025 WORLD KINDNESS DAY On November 13th, as part of World Kindness Day, we are encouraged to spread kindness like an infectious cold. We want to share it more than usual because studies show when others observe kindness in action they are more likely to carry out an act of kindness, too. So, imagine if you head out for the day and your neighbor’s garbage can has tipped over. Instead of ignoring it and letting the wind make a mess, you pick it up and return it to the corner. Three other neighbors notice and give you a smile and a nod on their way to work. One of those neighbors notices a stranded driver on the side of the road on his commute to work. He remembers your thoughtfulness and offers assistance to the stranded driver. Several passersby take notice. At a business office, a woman struggles with a paper jam. She’s had a horrible day. The customer has been waiting, but she remembers the stranded driver she passed earlier in the day. The customer lets the office worker know to take her time. Everyone has a bad day. We each have the potential to improve each others’ lives through understanding and kindness. Whether it’s a friend, family member, coworker or stranger, our ability to show our humanity should have no limit. HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldKindnessDay On World Kindness Day, let your compassion shine brightly. Get caught showing as much kindness as possible, too. For more inspiration on leading a life of kindness, Orly Wahba has written a book and her organization Life Vest Inside produced a short film called Kindness Boomerang. Use #WorldKindnessDay to share on social media. WORLD KINDNESS DAY HISTORY The World Kindness Movement started World Kindness Day in 1998 and has spread to 28 countries. There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®! • •	14 NATIONAL FAMILY PJ DAY NATIONAL FAMILY PJ DAY November 14, 2025 NATIONAL FAMILY PJ DAY Comfort comes in the form of National Family PJ Day. Celebrated each year on November 14th, the day invites everyone of all ages to wear their favorite pajamas for a party. Whether we snuggle in for extra sleep or binge watch our favorite television series, the day will be filled with family highlights. Board games in our warm flannels or pillow fights while wearing our best footie PJs will create lasting memories. Do a little holiday shopping online while the youngest family members catch up on their sleep. You know you have a favorite pair of pajamas. How many have matching sets for everyone in the family? Set up the camera and take a family picture. What a priceless way to mark the occasion. PJs, the family, and a cozy day together. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFamilyPJDay Pick out your coziest PJs. Sleep in, snuggle in and spend all day in them. Bring the entire family together. Matched, mismatched. Even your furbaby can cuddle up and catch some shut-eye with you. What better way to enjoy this celebration than in the comfort of your PJs surrounded by the love of your family? Take that selfie and share it on social media using #NationalFamilyPJDay. NATIONAL FAMILY PJ DAY HISTORY Soma® founded National Family PJ Day in 2019 to celebrate lounging around with our nearest and dearest during Sleep Comfort Month. Soma offers a range of comfortable sleep options their customers know and love. After all, sleep is an extremely important aspect of healthy living, and everyone deserves to be comfy. During the holiday season, Soma’s sleep collection becomes their most popular product category. They don’t blame everyone out there trying to get a little shut-eye with the hecticness this time brings. They even have items for the family dog, so don’t leave them out of the celebration. The Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Family PJ Day to be observed on November 14th annually. NATIONAL PICKLE DAY NATIONAL PICKLE DAY November 14, 2025 NATIONAL PICKLE DAY National Pickle Day recognizes the tart, sometimes sweet, and even spicy pickle. Each year on November 14th, pickle lovers pop open pecks of their preferred preserved pickle. It may be a Dill, Gherkin, Cornichon, Brined, Kosher Dill, Polish, Hungarian, Lime, Bread and Butter, Swedish and Danish, or Kool-Aid Pickle. No matter your choice, eat them all day long. The term pickle comes from the Dutch word pekel, meaning brine. In the United States, the word pickle typically refers to a pickled cucumber. However, just about any fruit or vegetable can be pickled. The process typically starts with a blanching process, depending on the fruit or vegetable. Then the product is packed into jars with seasonings that will give the pickles flavor. They can be spicy, tart, or sweet. However, the tartness and sweetness come from the brine. A basic brine includes vinegar and water. Various amounts of sugar adjust the level of sweetness in the brine. Pickle Facts Each year in the United States, 5,200,000 pounds of pickles are consumed. While pickles can be high in sodium, they are a good source of vitamin K. In moderation, they make a great snack. Food vendors sometimes serve pickles on a stick at fairs or carnivals. They are known as stick pickles. A rising trend in the United States is deep-fried pickles. The pickle is wrapped in dough or dipped in breading and deep-fried. The popularity of the pickle dates back thousands of years to 2030 B.C. At that time, traders imported cucumbers from India to the Tigris Valley. Here the people first preserved and ate the cucumbers as pickles. Cleopatra attributed her good looks to her diet of pickles. Even Julius Caesar craved the benefits of pickles. He believed pickles lent physical and spiritual strength and gave them to his troops. Snack on a pickle to celebrate, but don’t stop there. This snack is multipurpose. They make delicious additions to salads and sandwiches. Grind them up and make a relish. Experimenting with pizza? Top it with some pickles. If your Sloppy Joe is missing a little zing, add some pickles. While not everything is better with pickles (ice cream?), a little experimentation goes a long way with pickles. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPickleDay Try tasting pickled carrots, cauliflower or watermelon. Even some proteins are pickled, such as eggs. What’s your favorite kind of pickle? Sweet, spicy, dill? Let us know by using #NationalPickleDay and posting on social media. Educators, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for project ideas, puzzles and more to use in your classroom. NATIONAL PICKLE DAY HISTORY While this holiday has been celebrated for 70 years on various days, National Day Calendar has not identified the founder of the day. However, in 1949, the first observance began with encouragement from the Pickle Packers Association. NATIONAL SEAT BELT DAY NATIONAL SEAT BELT DAY November 14, 2025 NATIONAL SEAT BELT DAY As the holidays approach, National Seat Belt Day on November 14th encourages everyone to buckle up to save lives. No matter where you sit in a vehicle, wearing a seat belt is proven to save lives. Just over 90 percent of Americans buckle up, saving an estimated 15,000 lives each year. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 47 percent of passenger fatalities in 2017 were not restrained. Seat belts are proven to reduce the risk of serious injury and save lives. It’s been 60 years since the invention of the three-point seat belt, and this restraint has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. Since then, the industry has added advanced safety devices to automobiles. However, alone, many of these advancements may not save a life unless a seat belt restrains the driver and passengers. Airbags, for example, work most effectively when paired with proper seat belt use. On its own, the force with which an airbag deploys can be fatal without the restraining hold of a seat belt. During this holiday travel season and every season, be sure everyone buckles up. Everyone safely arriving will be worth celebrating! NATIONAL SPICY GUACAMOLE DAY NATIONAL SPICY GUACAMOLE DAY November 14, 2025 NATIONAL SPICY GUACAMOLE DAY National Spicy Guacamole Day brings together some fresh flavors on November 14th. Call your friends, get the chips ready, and celebrate with a bowl of spicy guacamole dip. Originating with the Aztecs in Mexico, guacamole is an avocado-based sauce. It’s become popular in American cuisine as a dip, condiment, and salad ingredient. Guacamole is made by using a mortar and pestle to mash ripe avocados and then mixing in sea salt. Sometimes tomatoes, onion, garlic, lemon juice, chili, yogurt or other seasonings are added. Jalapenos, chilis, cumin or red pepper can be added to the recipe to make the guacamole spicy. Super Bowl Sunday and Cinco de Mayo celebrations feature guacamole as a staple snack. As a result, avocado sales have soared to 30 million pounds on those two days each year. A simple avocado carries a healthy punch of unsaturated fat (the good one). Additionally, a single avocado includes substantial amounts of Vitamins C and E. Good things come in small packages, though. There are nearly 400 calories in 1 cup of guacamole. Does an avocado ever give you trouble when you have a hankering for guac? Well, there are some tricks to getting it just right. Make sure your avocado is ripe and add a few drops of lemon to keep the avocado from browning. It also adds a bright flavor. While picking ripe avocados can be daunting, it doesn’t have to be. A ripe avocado typically has mid-green to darker skin. It will give a little when lightly squeezed. However, a bruised avocado will be dimpled. HOW TO OBSERVE #SpicyGuacamoleDay One of the easiest snacks to make is guacamole. Add a hint of spice and your celebration is ready. You only need to add some chips and maybe a few friends to share it with you. Give a shout out to those you know who makes the best guacamole, too. Don’t have a recipe? Here’s a simple one to try: Spicy Guacamole Use #SpicyGuacamoleDay to post on social media. NATIONAL SPICY GUACAMOLE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this super tasty food holiday. • • • •	15 AMERICA RECYCLES DAY AMERICA RECYCLES DAY November 15, 2025 AMERICA RECYCLES DAY Each year on November 15, millions of people across the United States take part in America Recycles Day. The day raises awareness about recycling and the purchasing of recycled products. How we recycle and reuse products are important. For example, one-use water bottles flood America’s waterways and landfills at a rate of 60 million per day. Reducing this number can be achieved with water filtration devices and using portable re-usable drinking bottles and cups. Reduce waste by repurposing and reusing old items. One of the bests ways to do this is by shopping at secondhand stores. Not only does it prevent items from ending up in the landfill, but it also saves you money. The old adage, “one person’s junk is another person’s treasure,” holds true. These stores offer more than you might imagine, from clothing and furnishings to kitchen items and replacement parts. If you’ve never shopped this way, consider it. One area where we excel at recycling is aluminum. In fact, the U.S. recycles about 65% of its aluminum. That’s more than any other recycled item. In America, 105,800 cans are recycled every minute. Your television can run for 3 hours from the energy saved by recycling one can. In 2019, an aluminum can was worth about 1.7 cents. The industry pays more than $1 billion annually for recycled cans. Your waste management professions are a wealth of information regarding recycling. They’ll give you the hard facts and steer you in the right direction, too. The role of waste management goes far beyond garbage collection. In each community, they provide various services and programs designed to protect and reduce the impact we have on our environment. HOW TO OBSERVE #AmericaRecyclesDay Recycle, buy recycled goods and help teach others the benefits of recycling and continue to do so each day! Use #AmericaRecyclesDay to post on social media. AMERICA RECYCLES DAY HISTORY The National Recycling Coalition created America Recycles Day was started in 1997. Each year, the President declares the day, encouraging Americans to commit to recycling. Since 2009, this day has been a program of Keep America Beautiful. Organizations host thousands of events across the United States to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and offer personal pledges that you can sign, committing to recycling and buying products made from recycled materials. NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY November 15, 2025 NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY National Adoption Day raises awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care. Each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the day focuses on children waiting for permanent, loving families. Not only does the day aim to find homes, but National Adoption Day also helps the dreams of many children and families come true. In 2015, many courts and communities came together to finalize nearly 4,000 adoptions of children from foster care. More than 300 events are held annually during this observance. They celebrate as dreams become a reality. In total, more than 58,500 children have been adopted from foster care on this day. There are many reasons families and individuals choose adoptions. Sometimes they are unable to conceive. Others choose adoption simply to give a child who doesn’t have one a loving home. Many begin as foster parents. When placing a child for adoption, the decision is often difficult. This emotional journey requires patience, guidance, and support. The support comes from the surrounding community, adoption organizations, social workers, child advocates, families, and friends. Placing the needs of the child first, National Adoption Day celebrates the successful collaboration that brings families together all across the nation. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAdoptionDay Support those on their journey of adoption. Educate yourself about adoption. If you’re considering adoption, reach out to the several organizations that guide and support families through the process. Learn about the types of adoptions. Help a family come together. Explore these 7 Historical Figures Who Were Adopted. Celebrate with a family you know. Use #NationalAdoptionDay to post on social media. NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY HISTORY A Coalition of national partners including The Alliance for Children’s Rights, Children’s Action Network, Freddie Mac Foundation, and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption started National Adoption Day in 2000. In November of 2000, the sponsors worked with law firms, state foster care agencies, child advocates, and courts to complete hundreds of foster care adoptions in nine jurisdictions nationwide. 2001 – 17 jurisdictions participated 2002 – Casey Family Services and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute joined the National Adoption Day Coalition, helping 34 cities across the country finalize 1,350 adoptions and celebrate adoption. 2003 – Courts and community organizations in more than 120 jurisdictions across the nation finalized the adoptions of 3,100 children. 2004 – More than 3,400 children were adopted from foster care in 200 events in 37 states after courts and community organizations finalized the adoptions. 2011 – More than 300 court and community events were held during the national observance. NATIONAL BUNDT DAY NATIONAL BUNDT DAY November 15, 2025 NATIONAL BUNDT DAY National Bundt Day, also known as National Bundt Cake Day, is observed every year on November 15th. As people across the United States plan menus for the holidays, a bundt cake is sure to be on the list at least once. A bundt cake can be any cake baked in a Bundt pan, forming it into a distinctive ring shape. The mold of the Bundt pan was initially inspired by the traditional European fruit cake known as Gugelhupf. It was in the 1950s and 1960s that cookware Nordic Ware popularized the style for the mold design and trademarked the name Bundt. Nordic Ware started producing Bundt pans made from cast aluminum. Similar pans are sold as “fluted tube pans” or other similar names. Due to the difficulty of frosting a ring-shaped cake, bundt cakes are typically served undecorated, glazed or dusted with powdered sugar. In the beginning, the Bundt pan did not sell well, and Nordic Ware considered discontinuing the product. Then in the 1963 New Good Housekeeping Cookbook, the Bundt pan was mentioned, and sales increased. In 1966, sales increased dramatically when a Bundt cake called the “Tunnel of Fudge,” baked by Ella Helfrich, took second place at the annual Pillsbury Bake-Off and winning a $5,000.00 prize. The publicity from the Bake-Off resulted in more than 200,000 Bundt pan requests. Nordic Ware has sold more than 60 million Bundt pans across North America. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBundtDay Get out your Bundt Pan and make a cake. There are so many different cakes to make using a bundt pan, and they come out beautiful too. You just can’t go wrong. Use #NationalBundtDay to post on social media. NATIONAL BUNDT DAY HISTORY To mark the 60th anniversary of the Bundt pan, Nordic Ware designated November 15 as National Bundt Day. NATIONAL CLEAN OUT YOUR REFRIGERATOR DAY NATIONAL CLEAN OUT YOUR REFRIGERATOR DAY November 15, 2025 NATIONAL CLEAN OUT YOUR REFRIGERATOR DAY National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day on November 15th encourages us to prepare for the upcoming holidays. Get together a soap and hot water filled bucket, disinfectant, a sponge and a garbage bag. Then you will be ready for the day! With family gathering and a large turkey waiting to be roasted, cleaning out the refrigerator makes sense. Not only will we need room before the meals, but we also need space for all of the upcoming leftovers. Many dread this job. However, it is an important task none the less. Due to our hectic and busy lifestyles, the cleaning of the refrigerator gets neglected. hence the creation of National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. There may be a surprise or two found at the back of the shelves. Things are often pushed back as new food is put in the front and gets forgotten. Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International found that the meat and vegetable drawers were the dirtiest spots in our kitchens – well with regards to causing disease. However, those who clean their fridges more often tend to waste more food. There’s plenty of advice available on the frequency of fridge cleaning. Understanding food labels and the meanings behind “sell by” and “best by” dates are also important. These labels don’t necessarily mean a product has gone bad, but that the quality is best by the date on the label. However, “use by” leaves some of us wondering. HOW TO OBSERVE #CleanOutYourRefrigeratorDay Some suggestions for your refrigeration cleaning are: Empty each shelf. Completely wipe down the inside of the refrigerator. Wash drawers and underneath the drawers. Throw away all expired food. Throw away any moldy food. Get rid of anything that you do not use. Vacuum condenser coils. Vacuum out under the refrigerator. Restock shelves and drawers with good food. Enjoy your nice, clean, organized refrigerator. Use #CleanOutYourRefrigeratorDay to post on social media. NATIONAL CLEAN OUT YOUR REFRIGERATOR DAY HISTORY The home economists at Whirlpool Home Appliances created National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day in 1999 to encourage people to clean out their refrigerator in advance of the upcoming holidays. At that time, the company even had a toll-free hotline that people could call into for cleaning tips. NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY November 15, 2025 NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY On November 15th, National Philanthropy Day honors those who give back to their communities. The word philanthropy comes from Latin and Greek philanthropia which gives us kindliness, humanity, and love for mankind. From this, we take the philo (tending to, fond of) and join antropos meaning mankind or human beings. Philanthropists give of their time and money in ways that provide a lasting impact. Some of the ways philanthropy changes the world include: supporting education through scholarships, grants, foundations and more foundations supporting scientific research development of charities funding grants to programs for local, national and international needs encourage art through grants and foundations invest in advocacy platforms for the underprivileged The day recognizes philanthropists for their many significant contributions, help and good deeds and for the differences that they have made in our lives and our communities. While philanthropy is giving and kind, it is a type of gift that strives to replace social ills with solutions. Philanthropists see issues and try to solve them. Charity often is a tempory solution for a tempory problem. When the issue persists, we seek a cure. There are instances of philanthropy that can overlap with instances of charity. The difference is that charity relieves the pains of social problems, whereas philanthropy attempts to solve those problems at their root causes. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPhilanthropyDay Learn more about the kinds of philanthropy in your community. Read books on the history of philanthropy in the United States. Share how philanthropy has impacted your community. Support your favorite philanthropic organization. Use #NationalPhilanthropyDay to post on social media. NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY HISTORY The Association of Fundraising Professionals created National Philanthropy Day in 1985. NATIONAL RAISIN BRAN CEREAL DAY NATIONAL RAISIN BRAN CEREAL DAY November 15, 2025 NATIONAL RAISIN BRAN CEREAL DAY National Raisin Bran Cereal Day on November 15th pours a bowl of one the countries go-to cereals. Made from toasted oat or wheat flakes with plump raisins added, these cereals have been a staple in many American breakfasts for generations. Since 1925, a variety of companies have been producing raisin bran cereal. Those companies include Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, General Mills, Total Raisin Bran, U.S. Mills, and Ralcorp’s Post Raisin Bran. However, the first was U.S. Mills. In 1925, Skinner’s Manufacturing Company based out of Omaha, Nebraska introduced the United States to Skinner’s Raisin Bran. Other bran cereals existed. However, Skinner’s debuted the first with raisins included. Raisin bran is a good source of dietary fiber. For several years, Skinner’s held the exclusive right to the name “raisin bran” but that didn’t stop others from making their own. Skinner’s Manufacturing Co. had been in business since 1918. And as the country’s largest producer of macaroni, they weren’t going to let that go without a fight. They took their trademark to court. Despite being first and trademarking the name, Skinner’s lost on the grounds that the words “raisin bran” are merely ingredients. HOW TO OBSERVE #RaisinBranCerealDay Since raisin bran is the star of the day, enjoy it as a snack or for breakfast. If you’re not a big fan of bran, you can always separate the raisins. Or maybe you’re not a raisin fan. Did you know you can make wine from raisins? It’s true. So, have your bran and wine, too! Celebrate and use #RaisinBranCerealDay to post on social media. NATIONAL RAISIN BRAN CEREAL DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this breakfast food holiday. NATIONAL SPICY HERMIT COOKIE DAY NATIONAL SPICY HERMIT COOKIE DAY November 15, 2025 NATIONAL SPICY HERMIT COOKIE DAY National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day celebrates a cookie flavor reminiscent autumn spices. Recognized on November 15th, this time of year is ideal for baking up a batch of these delicious cookies. Considered an old-fashioned cookie, it’s spice comes from cinnamon, cloves, allspice and sometimes nutmeg. An added bonus are the raisins, nuts, and dates. Hermit cookies originated in the New England area. In 1880, the young ladies of the Trinity Church, Plattsburgh, New York published the cookbook Champlain Valley Book of Recipes with a Hermits recipe. This local cookbook was a 3rd edition suggesting its first printing was a year or two earlier. Soft and chewy, these cookies sure put a smile on the face of all who taste them. HOW TO OBSERVE #SpicyHermitCookieDay Add hermit cookies to your holiday baking list. Host a baking party and invite friends to join you. Snuggle up with a plate of these delicious cookies and share them while drinking a cup of hot cocoa. Enjoy this Hermit Cookies recipe. Use #SpicyHermitCookieDay to post on social media. NATIONAL SPICY HERMIT COOKIE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday. Do you need more cookie days to celebrate? Check out these! Oatmeal Cookie Day Peanut Butter Cookie Day Sugar Cookie Day Chocolate Chip Cookie Day Pecan Cookie Day Gingerbread Cookie Day Oreo Cookie Day Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day • • • • • • •	16 NATIONAL BUTTON DAY NATIONAL BUTTON DAY November 16, 2025 NATIONAL BUTTON DAY National Button Day on November 16th celebrates the function of buttons and the hobby of button collection. Step aside zippers, laces, and snaps. Honor the button. Founded in 1938, the National Button Society recognized button collecting as an organized hobby. Both novice and advanced button collectors celebrate the enjoyment of collecting on this day. Do you remember your grandmother or your mother snipping the buttons off shirts headed for the rag basket? Those buttons often collected in jars or tins. Maybe you even played games or strung them for ornaments and crafts. The buttons were fun to stack into piles, sort by color or size, or scatter and slide across the floor or table making up different games each time. Crafters across the country utilize buttons in creative ways. They are some of the best at finding new uses for old items. There are thousands of button collectors in the United States. Buttons have been made of a variety of materials. Ancient buttons were formed from natural and readily available substances such as stone, shell, bone, clay, or wood. In more modern times, metals, plastics, resins, and acrylics have been used. While buttons were usually functional to fasten two pieces of cloth together, they also served as decoration. While buttons today can be simple disks with two or four holes allowing a needle and thread to pass through, button makers create more elaborate designs. If you can imagine it, there’s probably a button like it. From animals and food to iconic buildings and famous people, button makers make them. They’re colorful and fun. While the fun ones may be less practical, they still function. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalButtonDay Do you have a fun button collection? Share it on social media. Play a game with buttons, such as tic tac toe or even checkers. Use #NationalButtonDay to post on social media. NATIONAL BUTTON DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this collector holiday. NATIONAL CHECK YOUR WIPERS DAY NATIONAL CHECK YOUR WIPERS DAY November 16, 2025 NATIONAL CHECK YOUR WIPERS DAY National Check Your Wipers Day on November 16th reminds drivers to regularly check their windshield wipers to ensure optimum visibility in the event of inclement weather on the road. In 2020, AAA reported 50.6 million people traveled by automobile for the Thanksgiving holiday, making it one of the year’s busiest travel weekends. As many Americans plan to hit the road, it’s important to remind them to proactively check their wipers. Visibility is an important factor in driving in poor weather conditions. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 24% of all accidents are weather-related. A survey by MICHELIN® Wiper Blades found that 92% of drivers agree that poor wiper blades can affect their driving ability. However, 90% of drivers do not plan the time to check their wipers properly and 55%+ don’t know how to check their wiper blades properly. Other great reminders to check your wipers include: During an oil change. When you fill gas. After a car wash. Before a road trip. At the start of Winter and Spring seasons. Standard recommendations suggest we change our wiper blades every 6 to 12 months. However, the frequency varies depending on the location of residence and how often the vehicle is driven. This requires people to regularly inspect their wipers to ensure that they are not past the lifespan, which leads to compromised visibility. HOW TO OBSERVE #CheckYourWipersDay On National Check Your Wipers Day, ensure your family’s driving ability by checking the windshield wipers on all your cars. You also have a chance to be rewarded for checking them! MICHELIN® Wiper Blades is celebrating the inaugural National Check Your Wipers Day by offering a sweepstakes giveaway with a grand prize and over 25 additional small prizes in the four weeks of the holiday month of November. Starting November 1st, participants can go online to submit an entry. In addition, users will have the option to participate in MICHELIN® Wiper Blade’s Text to Fit program, which allows participants to submit their vehicle’s year, make, and model. This program assists users in finding the correct wiper size and helps with proper installation. Participants will also receive reminders and discounts throughout the year. Additional entries are possible by social media sharing, newsletter sign-up, contest sharing, and more. Visit www.wipersday.com for more information. Add checking your wipers to your maintenance checklist. When you celebrate, be sure to use #CheckYourWipersDay on social media. NATIONAL CHECK YOUR WIPERS DAY HISTORY MICHELIN® Wiper Blades founded National Check Your Wipers Day in 2021 to remind and educate drivers about checking their wiper blades. Regular car maintenance includes routinely checking the condition of the wiper blades for optimal performance. It also helps you avoid getting caught in inclement weather with faulty equipment. The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Check Your Wipers Day to be observed on November 16th, annually. NATIONAL FAST FOOD DAY NATIONAL FAST FOOD DAY November 16, 2025 NATIONAL FAST FOOD DAY On November 16th food lovers get a dose of their favorite convenience food on National Fast Food Day. Whether they use the drive-thru, dine-in or get it to go, fast food will grill up, fry up and broil up menu staples. First popularized in the United States in the 1950s, fast food is considered any meal with low preparation time and served to a customer in a packaged form. The meal makes for quick dine-in, take-out or take-away. Most fast-food restaurants offer drive-thru service. Merriam-Webster dictionary first recognized the term “fast food” in 1951. Following World War I, automobiles became popular and more affordable. At that time, restaurants introduced the drive-in. Much like today’s food trucks, Walter Anderson first began selling hamburgers out of an old streetcar body at a Wichita intersection. While the menu was limited, the hamburgers were a crowd-pleaser. When the popularity of his hamburgers grew, he partnered with E.W. Ingram and opened the first White Castle in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. The enterprising restauranteurs were the first in the fast-food business. They sold hamburgers for five cents each. The United States has the largest fast food industry in the world. American fast-food restaurants are located in over 100 countries. Fun fact: The first Happy Meal was served in June of 1979. While fast-food began as sandwiches and sides, the menus expanded over-time. Today fast-food includes fish, a variety of fried chicken, tacos, pizza and a wide selection of sides. Sodas quench the thirst and desserts sweeten the menu. From ice cream and shakes to pies and cakes, fast food delivers. As times changed, restaurants added breakfast items to the menu, too. Expanding their hours increased their workforce and their menu options, as well. However, not all fast-food chains offer breakfast. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFastFoodDay Invite a group out to your favorite fast-food restaurant. Share some rings and a shake. Do you prefer breakfast or lunch? No matter which one you prefer you can get it to go to make it faster, too! Give a shoutout to your favorite fast-food restaurant using #NationalFastFoodDay to post on social media. NATIONAL FAST FOOD DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this speedilious food day. NATIONAL INDIANA DAY NATIONAL INDIANA DAY November 16, 2025 NATIONAL INDIANA DAY On November 16th, National Indiana Day revs up its engines for the state that’s the home of the Indy 500 and Hoosier hospitality, too. Indiana was the 19th state to enter the Union. James Monroe had just defeated Rufus King in the 1816 presidential race to become the 5th President of the United States. The second state to enter the Union from the Northwest Territory, Indiana grew rapidly. As the “Crossroads of American, we can thank the many interstates and railroads transversing the state for getting us across the country. Indiana’s highways and byways do not keep the state from a rural feel in a growing urban world. With an abundance of rivers, streams and farmland, Lake Michigan to the North, words don’t fail Hoosiers. Her authors, poets and songwriters have a continuous source of inspiration. They are also inspired by a sport that started with a peach basket long ago. Basketball fills hearts of Hoosiers, as the movie with the same name would tell you. As far as the citizens of the fine state go, it’s a mystery how they earn their name. From miners, farmers, inventors, entertainers, industrialists, and many more, Indiana grows more than corn. There’s plenty to see as the heartland helps keep the country moving right along. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalIndianaDay Join National Day Calendar as we recognize Indiana’s pioneering and progressive history. Explore border to border and unearth the most peaceful heartland and entertaining nightlife! Use #NationalIndianaDay to share on social media. • • • •
17 NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY November 17, 2025 NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY Each year on November 17th, National Baklava Day fills the kitchen with a sweet and flaky pastry that’s loved by many. Baklava is a sweet dessert that gives layers of texture and flavor between sheets of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and drizzled with syrup or honey. Believed to have originated by the Turkic people in Central Asian nations, Baklava is a dessert in many countries and prepared in several ways. The word “Baklava” first appeared in English in 1650. If you’ve never tried baklava, there are several varieties. Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or almonds can be used. The filling can be composed of raisins, dates, prunes and even figs. Most baklava recipes call for cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves – sometimes all three spices. Preparing this dessert may be somewhat time-consuming. However, it is a treat worth the work and the wait. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBaklavaDay Try your hand at this complex dessert. It will be a satisfying achievement for any home cook. We’ve even provided a couple of recipes for you to try. However, if you prefer, frequent your local bakery. They’ll be happy to show you their specials. When you do, give them a shout out. And be sure to share with a friend or two while using #NationalBaklavaDay on social media. Baklava recipe Cardamom Fig Baklava Use #NationalBaklavaDay to post on social media. NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday. NATIONAL BUTTER DAY NATIONAL BUTTER DAY November 17, 2025 NATIONAL BUTTER DAY Few ingredients make a meal richer and more flavorful than butter. On November 17th, National Butter Day gives this creamy ingredient, and those who make it, a pat on the back. Butter has been used by humans for thousands of years. As recently as the first half of the last century, the butter churn was an essential tool in many kitchens. When butter was rationed during World War II, households struggled to get along without this delicious staple. “With enough butter, anything is good.” ~ Julia Child Butter can be used in simple and complex ways – spread a pat of butter on warm toast for an instant hit of flavor and texture or use it to create the light, flaky layers in a croissant. It also enhances the mouthfeel of hot drinks, like coffee and cocktails, and it keeps meats tender while roasting. Butter is the crucial ingredient in mouthwatering sauces, rich cookies, creamy mashed potatoes, hearty casseroles, and so much more. The average American eats 6.3 pounds, or about 25 sticks, of cow’s butter every year. Around the world, butter can be found in cuisines of every culture, and each one uses it to enhance their recipes and enrich their lives. Around the dinner table, the phrase “Please, pass the butter,” connects us to those we break bread with and to the food we love to eat. National Butter Day invites you to celebrate your favorite dishes and baked goods with butter. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalButterDay National Butter Day offers so many avenues for celebration. Whether you set to work in your kitchen making family favorites or test out a new recipe, take a moment to recognize the role butter plays in our food. Bake cookies with the kids. Be sure to let them mix the butter and sugar together. Make compound or brown butter and reap the flavor benefits. Thank a dairy farmer, trucker, or butter maker, like those at Dinner Bell Creamery, for the butter they make possible. Compliment the chef who made the delicious, buttery sauce for your seafood meal. When you celebrate, be sure to share your stories and photos on social media using #NationalButterDay and tag Dinner Bell Creamery on Facebook and Instagram. NATIONAL BUTTER DAY HISTORY Dinner Bell Creamery – a cooperative owned by the dairy farm families of AMPI – founded National Butter Day in 2021 to celebrate this culturally important and incredibly delicious food. They also honor the modern-day process of butter making, from raising dairy cows on family farms to crafting butter for sale in stores and markets.The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Butter Day to be observed annually on November 17th. NATIONAL HOMEMADE BREAD DAY NATIONAL HOMEMADE BREAD DAY November 17, 2025 NATIONAL HOMEMADE BREAD DAY On November 17th, homes will fill with warm, comforting aromas reminding us to slow down and enjoy National Homemade Bread Day. Yeast bread calls for us to slow down. We need to spend time with each other as we work the dough and let it rest and rise before baking. Quick breads allow a special treat to share and enjoy with coffee or tea. Other homemade breads, such as donuts, pretzels, muffins, and biscuits, add variety to our everyday meals. And making them with friends and family brings joy and an opportunity to exchange recipes. Those who make homemade bread commit to using good ingredients and investing in the time. They make it not only because they love the flavor, but because they know the people they love to do also. Homemade bread enriches the flavors of our meals and the flavors of our conversations, too. Bread is full of symbolism around the world, across cultures and religions. In our lives, bread is valuable. We consider our livelihood to be our daily bread. We are making it, breaking it, consuming it as part of our faith. Bread can be exciting if it’s sliced or boring if it’s white. There’s a bonus bread, too. However, it seems a bit messy if it’s buttered on both sides. Then again, when we roll in the dough, it’s messy, too. Bake it, and it becomes heavy bread, but it means the same thing. HOW TO OBSERVE #HomemadeBreadDay Take out your recipe box and get to baking. Or find a few new recipes like the ones below. It’s the best thing since sliced bread! When you make bread, don’t forget to use some for homemade croutons, too. We have 7 great ways to use croutons besides on a salad. French Bread Use #HomemadeBreadDay to share on social media. NATIONAL HOMEMADE BREAD DAY HISTORY The National Homemade Bread Committee from Ann Arbor, Michigan, founded National Homemade Bread Day to encourage families to enjoy making homemade bread. The day has been celebrated since the early 1980s. NATIONAL TAKE A HIKE DAY NATIONAL TAKE A HIKE DAY November 17, 2025 NATIONAL TAKE A HIKE DAY National Take a Hike Day on November 17th encourages us to get out there and hit the trails. With over 60,000 miles of trails in the National Trail System across the 50 states, there is no lack of opportunity to take a hike. Some of those trails are hundreds of years old. For example, the oldest continuously used trail in the United States is Crawford Path in New Hampshire. The beginnings of the mountain path were cleared to the summit of Mt. Washington in 1819. Other trails allow us to follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark or explore even more ancient history like Effigy Mounds National Monument. Besides experiencing majestic views and the great outdoors, we also exercise our bodies. Hiking not only gets our hearts pumping and our muscles moving, but being outdoors is good for our minds. Many of us spend too much time indoors behind a desk. Hiking can burn between 400-550 calories per hour. What better way to get a head start on all those ‘other’ holiday temptations and observe Take a Hike Day? Events around the country celebrate Take a Hike Day. Local, state, and National Parks support hiking events encouraging us to enjoy a hike. Be sure to wear good shoes, take a snack and bring a buddy, but get out there and enjoy the fresh air, scenery and get a little exercise to boot! HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalTakeAHikeDay Invite a friend and take a nice hike. Check out the resources below to find trails near you. When you go, use #NationalTakeAHikeDay to post on social media. Americantrails.org National Parks Posters AmericanHiking.org NATIONAL TAKE A HIKE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues to research the origins of this adventurous holiday. • • • •	18 MICKEY MOUSE BIRTHDAY MICKEY MOUSE BIRTHDAY November 18, 2025 MICKEY MOUSE BIRTHDAY On November 18th, Mickey Mouse Birthday commemorates the debut of a lovable mouse that was once a rabbit called Oswald. His character got his start on film on November 18, 1928, but before that, the story begins in 1927, when Walt Disney first sketched a floppy-eared bunny while under contract to Universal Studios. The events that unraveled brought us Mickey Mouse. HOW TO OBSERVE #MickeyMouseBirthday Wish Mickey Mouse a Happy Birthday! Use #MickeyMouseBirthday to share on social media. Check out these 5 Artists Who Brought Animation to Life! MICKEY MOUSE BIRTHDAY HISTORY While his creator and studio have applied several different birth dates to the lovable mouse over the years, November 18, 1928, was finalized as Mickey’s birth date with stardom. Before that, Mickey Mouse came under the roller coaster events of Oswald’s success and Universal’s disappointing contract negotiations. Disney Bros. Studio took their leave of both the studio and Oswald and set to work, creating a character who would go on to lead the company into the future. From a rabbit named Oswald to a mouse named Mortimer, eventually, the squeaky-voiced rodent was dubbed Mickey. He flopped in two animated short films without any success. Then on November 18, 1928, Mickey’s star was born. The first animation synchronized to music and sound effects, Steamboat Willie premiered in New York. Mickey Mouse Club Within a year, a Mickey Mouse Club popped up in Salem, Oregon. This particular club offered admission as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army. Patrons donated either a potato or a small toy and a penny as admission. According to a December 22, 1929, Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon) article, $12 and three truckloads of potatoes and toys collected by eager new members. Remember, the stock market crashed just 20 days before Mickey Mouse was born. That a cute little mouse could bring smiles to the faces of children at an uncertain time isn’t such a surprise. Generally, new members joined the club by completing an admission form obtained from a local merchant and attending meetings held during matinees at local movie houses. The price of admission often was reduced for good deeds and report cards. By the end of 1930, the Mickey Mouse Clubs had spread across the country. New Look & Companions In 1935, animator Fred Moore gave Mickey a new look that enabled a more fluid movement to the animation. A makeover in 1935 by animator Fred Moore gave Mickey the look we are familiar with today. The big eyes, white gloves, and the pert little nose. More lovable than ever before, he propelled himself even further into the hearts of children everywhere. His companions Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto joined him along the way, bringing vaudevillian comedy with them. NATIONAL PRINCESS DAY NATIONAL PRINCESS DAY November 18, 2025 NATIONAL PRINCESS DAY Celebrate the Princess in every girl by taking part in National Princess Day on November 18th! Perhaps you know a Princess who shines because of her gift of laughter, making everyone around them smile. Maybe your Princess shows her royal nature by her great acts of kindness and heart of gold. Or your Princess may be bold and confident, ready to take on every new challenge! Whatever our gifts, there is a Princess in each of us – even if you don’t know it yet! HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPrincessDay Use #NationalPrincessDay on social media Follow The Swan Princess® on social media and subscribe to the newsletter. NATIONAL PRINCESS DAY HISTORY The Swan Princess® was released in theatres on November 18, 1994, and introduced the beautiful Princess Odette to fans across the globe. Since then, the series has continued to grow, with the eighth movie being released in the spring of 2018, and many more adventures already being planned. The independent group that created the Swan Princess series continues to bring more adventures to our screens. They also provide a huge range of products featuring Odette and her beloved friends, including original animation art cells – meaning fans everywhere can have a piece of movie history! Seldon Young (Producer of The Swan Princess®) is passionate about the millions of fans around the world and has already revealed his ideas for an HD remake of the original movie and even a live-action version! The 25th anniversary in 2019 means you can be sure there will be even more exciting news to follow in the months to come! The Registrar at National Day Calendar® declared National Princess Day to be observed annually beginning in 2017. NATIONAL VICHYSSOISE DAY NATIONAL VICHYSSOISE DAY November 18, 2025 NATIONAL VICHYSSOISE DAY November 18th recognizes a cold soup that is loved by many. It is National Vichyssoise Day. Made thick with pureed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream and chicken stock, Vichyssoise is traditionally served cold though sometimes is eaten hot. In the United States, Vichyssoise is pronounced: vish – e – swaz. Culinary historians debate the origin of Vichyssoise. However, the man most credited with the reinvention of the soup is French chef Louis Diat. Back in 1950, New Yorker Magazine interviewed Diat, who was the chef at the Ritz Carlton in New York City; he told them: “In the summer of 1917, when I had been at the Ritz seven years, I reflected upon the potato and leek soup of my childhood which my mother and grandmother used to make. I recalled how during the summer my older brother and I used to cool it off by pouring in cold milk and how delicious it was. I resolved to make something of the sort for the patrons of the Ritz.” Recipes have been found for soup very similar to Vichyssoise but served hot dating back as far as 1869. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalVichyssoiseDay Enjoy this Vichyssoise recipe. Use #NationalVichyssoiseDay to post on social media. NATIONAL VICHYSSOISE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this filling holiday. • • •	19 NATIONAL CARBONATED BEVERAGE WITH CAFFEINE DAY NATIONAL CARBONATED BEVERAGE WITH CAFFEINE DAY November 19, 2025 NATIONAL CARBONATED BEVERAGE WITH CAFFEINE DAY Unique food holidays, such as National Carbonated Beverage With Caffeine Day, give us opportunities to break out of our everyday norm. On November 19th, explore the variety of carbonated beverages with caffeine. Some people cannot have caffeine due to medical reasons. However, others choose to avoid caffeine for their own reasons. Then millions of people who like their caffeine very much. The same is true with the carbonation in beverages. Today’s celebration combines the two of them together. In 1767, Englishman Joseph Priestly suspended a bowl of distilled water above a beer vat at a local brewery in Leeds, England. His experiment led to the discovery of a method of infusing water with carbon dioxide to make carbonated water. Priestly’s invention of carbonated water is the major and defining component of most soft drinks. Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. Ninety percent of adults in North America consume caffeine daily. Some people notice sleep disruption after drinking beverages containing caffeine. Though, others see no disturbance at all. Other terms bor carbonated beverages include sparkling, bubbly or effervescent. Almost any beverage can be carbonated, though not every beverage should be carbonated. Sodas are the most common caffeinated carbonated drinks, but these days some makers can even add some fizz to cold-brewed coffee. Certain sparkling waters infuse flavors and add caffeine for that extra boost. HOW TO OBSERVE #CarbonatedBeverageWithCaffeineDay Enjoy your favorite carbonated and caffeinated beverage. Pour it over ice for a cold and invigorating refreshment. Invite someone to join you and toast the day. Are you looking for some ways to mix up your carbonated beverage with caffeine? Well, we’ll help you out a bit then. Wine and soda together is nothing new. It’s a spritzer. Only this time, you’re adding a caffeinated soda to the ice, wine, and garnish. Ice cream soda is a classic cold beverage and it comes caffeinated. You get the caffeine and brain freeze all in one. What more could you want? There is a whole line up of rum and cola drinks. Anyone of them is bound to hit the spot. If you really love your caffeine, just wait. One name brand is combining our favorite hot caffeinated beverage with our favorite carbonated one. Will it be epic? Only time will tell. It’s the best way to Celebrate Every Day®! Use #CarbonatedBeverageWithCaffeineDay to post on social media. NATIONAL CARBONATED BEVERAGE WITH CAFFEINE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this refreshing beverage holiday. There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®! NATIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS DAY NATIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS DAY November 19, 2025 NATIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS DAY Annually observed on the Wednesday during American Education Week, National Education Support Professionals Day honors the contributions of school support employees. These support professionals provide invaluable services and are essential partners in the children’s education process The day honors a long list of professionals who keep schools running smoothly. They include all secretaries, classroom aides, cafeteria workers, maintenance workers, bus drivers and the others that support educators, school leadership, and the students, too. These professionals do their part in making public schools great for every child so they can be safe, learn, grow and achieve. HOW TO OBSERVE #EducationSupportProfessionalsDay Who in your school provides a service that needs recognition? They may be an education support professional. Give them a shout out and show them you appreciate all they do for your school and the students. Organize an event recognizing their achievements. Attend your school’s day to honor the support professionals in your facility. Does your student have a favorite classroom aid or cafeteria worker? Send an extra special “thank you” their way. Use #EducationalSupportProfessionalsDay to post on social media. NATIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS HISTORY The National Educational Association Representative Assembly called for a day to be set aside to salute the schools’ support employees. In 1987, the assembly created National Education Support Professionals Day. NATIONAL PLAY MONOPOLY DAY NATIONAL PLAY MONOPOLY DAY November 19, 2025 NATIONAL PLAY MONOPOLY DAY National Play Monopoly Day on November 19th recognizes the iconic board game that lands us on Park Place, Boardwalk or even in jail. Known as one of the most popular board games in the world, Monopoly was originally based on a board game designed by Elizabeth Magie in 1902. Since then, the game has been played by an estimated 500 million people since 1935. When is National Scrabble Day? The object of the game is to collect as many properties as you can to create a monopoly. When players land on your property, you get to collect rent. The more properties you own, the more money you make, too. But watch out, there are taxes and other fees involved. To win the game, you need to bankrupt your opponents and be the last landowner standing. Many families have house rules that make the game more interesting, too. Monopoly also comes in numerous versions. Do you enjoy a particular book or movie franchise or hobby? The game likely comes in themes focusing on famous characters and likely scenarios. How about sports teams or pop culture? Monopoly money goes there, too! Monopoly was published by Parker Brothers, an American toy and game manufacturer since 1883. HOW TO OBSERVE #PlayMonopolyDay Put your banker cap on. Gather your family and friends together and play Monopoly. See if you can come out the winner. What are your house rules? How long do games last in your house or do they end up in turmoil? Use #PlayMonopolyDay to post on social media. We even have more boardgame fun in 7 Stories Behind Our Favorite Games. NATIONAL MONOPOLY DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this board game holiday. • • •	20 GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT November 20, 2025 GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT Each year on the third Thursday in November, the American Cancer Society sponsors the Great American Smokeout. This is an annual social engineering event to encourage Americans to stop tobacco smoking. The Great American Smokeout challenges smokers to quit cigarettes for 24 hours with the hopes that this decision will continue forever. There are benefits to 1 day without cigarettes. After just 20 minutes without a cigarette, the heart rate drops. So does the blood pressure. Twelve hours later, the body will cleanse the carbon monoxide from the last cigarette from the body. That’s a great start. If you make it past 1 day, your risk of heart attack begins to decrease along with heart disease and stroke. After just 1 day – keep it up. After 2 days, things start tasting and smelling better. That’s because your nerves are healing from the smoke damage. Day 3 may be tough. The nicotine is leaving your body and symptoms of withdrawal may occur. But you can do it. By 1 month, you may notice you can breathe better. The coughing is less. Your lungs may be clearer. Do you want to find out more? Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more. HOW TO OBSERVE #GreatAmericanSmokeout Join millions of other smokers and do not smoke for the day. Support your friends and family who are trying to quit smoking. Find tips and support at the American Cancer Society. Use #GreatAmericanSmokeout to post on social media. GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT HISTORY Evolving from a series of small-scale initiatives, the first Great American Smokeout was held on November 16, 1977, in San Francisco’s Union Square. 1970 – Randolph, Massachusetts – Arthur P. Mullaney suggested people give up cigarettes for a day donating the money to a local high school. 1974 – Monticello, Minnesota – Lynn R. Smith of the Monticello Times promoted a “Don’t Smoke Day”. 1976 – November 18, The California Division of the American Cancer Society successfully prompted nearly one million smokers to quit for the day. There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®! NATIONAL ABSURDITY DAY NATIONAL ABSURDITY DAY November 20, 2025 NATIONAL ABSURDITY DAY On November 20th, National Absurdity Day reigns supreme. Oddness and weirdness take over. We’re not sure why, but it does. Throughout history, bizarre occurrences mark the calendar. It may seem absurd today to send your child cross country by airplane, but people do. There’s a process, attendants, an adult on the other side waiting to retrieve the precious package. When the postal service first launched in 1913, children falling within the shipping weights were sent cross country by parcel service. Mailed babies were shipped off to Grandma’s house, some for as low as 15 cents plus insurance. This day was created as a day to recall and note some of the entirely off the wall and ridiculous things in history, in our country, and our lives. Absurdity Day is also a day to have fun and do crazy, zany, and absurd things. Use the day as an excuse to let out the silly antics hidden inside them. You can do things you have wanted to do that make absolutely no sense at all, and it will be okay because you will be celebrating this National Day. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAbsurdityDay Do whatever absurd things that pop into your mind. (Please keep safety in mind.) Use #NationalAbsurdityDay to post on social media. Educators and families, it may seem absurd, but the National Day Calendar Classroom has a project perfect for celebrating even this extra-special holiday. Be sure to check it out. NATIONAL ABSURDITY DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this absurd holiday. NATIONAL CHILD’S DAY NATIONAL CHILD’S DAY November 20, 2025 NATIONAL CHILD’S DAY November 20th each year recognizes National Child’s Day and all the potential represented by our children’s ambitions, dreams, and goals. Through educational goals, STEAM projects, and academic missions, educators and families join forces to provide excellence at all levels of education. Education begins at home, and by providing parents with resources vital to growing minds, we encourage curiosity and brain development. From the day they are born their education begins. Language and social skills are essential building blocks to any child’s early education. Schools and educators are investing in science, math, and arts programs. As technology becomes a more integral part of our lives, innovation drives education as well as nearly every career in the world. No matter where our children’s interests lie, technology will advance the way we learn, heal, communicate, travel, change, and protect the world. Our children will be the innovators of the future. All we need to do is give them the education and the tools to dream and learn to their fullest potential. National Child’s Day inspires communities, educators, and parents to do just that. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalChildsDay Get involved with your child’s school. Discover your child’s passion. Support extra-curricular activities. Encourage community endeavors that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math because these areas of focus support the way we live every day, and they are lacking in education today. Science – Every day, we use science in nearly every facet of life. From medicine to the development of new products to solutions to socioeconomic issues, science is a necessary tool in the educational toolbox. Technology – It’s growing every day. We communicate with people around the world who speak another language. Hundreds of years of compiled science allow us to continue developing new technologies to explore space. New innovations will enable us to cure a disease before babies are even born. Engineering – Without engineering, many innovations never happen. Whether we look deep to the ocean floor or miles above the earth, engineers visualize and then create the components that work together. It’s a fusion of science, technology, and design. Art – By human nature, we need the arts. Those who have a creative outlet perform better at work. While we’re more likely to be more productive, the arts allow us the opportunity to connect to the human condition. It’s also an ability to understand design and quality. When a product has an aesthetic design, it holds its value longer. Quality products are also a piece of art. Math – When it comes to each of the above areas, every one of them relies on math. We wouldn’t have gone to the moon without it. If we want our children to move us with music or with the next greatest automobile, they will need outstanding math skills, too. Share your tips and ideas by using #NationalChildsDay on social media. NATIONAL CHILD’S DAY HISTORY In 1995, Lee Rechter set out to create National Child’s Day. The retired school counselor wanted a day that honored children. In 2001, she succeeded in her mission, and President George W. Bush signed a one-time proclamation for the nation to observe the day on June 3rd. The declaration proposed supporting children in their endeavors from the very beginning. And while it was initiated as a single day observance, it aimed to nurture and uphold the belief that all children deserve to have the same opportunities. However, Rechter pursued a continuing resolution for the observance. She succeeded, and for the next seven years on a Sunday in early June, the President proclaimed National Child’s Day. Then, in 2009, when President Barak Obama took office, the observance was changed to November. Each year since National Child’s Day has been observed on November 20th at a time when children are in the midst of their education and surrounded by families. NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE DAY NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE DAY November 20, 2025 NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE DAY Peanut butter lovers and fudge lovers come together on November 20th to celebrate National Peanut Butter Fudge Day. On June 16th, people across the United States celebrated National Fudge Day. Just by adding creamy or crunchy peanut butter, the celebration continues. They will have the yummy taste of peanut butter as the fudge flavor and star of the show. Fudge originated in the United States, possibly by a happy accident. In 1886, a letter written by Emelyn Bettersby Hartridge was discovered. Ms. Hartridge attended Vassar College as a student in Poughkeepsie, New York, and the letter referred to a fudge her cousin had made. Her cousin, in Baltimore Maryland, was selling the fudge for 40 cents per pound. Ms. Hartridge obtained the recipe, and in 1888, she made 30 pounds of fudge for the Vassar College Senior Auction. In the late 19th century, some shops on Mackinac Island, Michigan, began to produce products similar to that of the Vassar College fudge and sold it to summer vacationers. Fudge is still made in some of the original shops there today. Two other fudge holidays on the calendar are National Nutty Fudge Day on May 12th and National Penuche Fudge Day on July 22nd. HOW TO OBSERVE #PeanutButterFudgeDay Peanut butter fudge adds great flavor to many desserts. Add it to ice cream, pies, and other candies. Of course, enjoying peanut butter fudge on its own is perfectly fine, too. Stop by your favorite candy shop or make your own. If you need a recipe, try these out. No matter how you decided to celebrate, be sure to invite someone to join you. No celebration is complete unless you have someone to join you! Easiest Peanut Butter Fudge Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Fudge Use #PeanutButterFudgeDay to post on social media. NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this sweet holiday. NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY November 20, 2025 NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY National Rural Health Day focuses on the medical resources rural communities offer and how it impacts the small towns and citizens. The third Thursday in November each year highlights the varied opportunities rural health offers and the benefits it brings to these modest hubs of economic vitality in the heartland. Around the nation, over 60 million Americans live and work in rural communities. In these thriving centers of industry, health clinics and hospitals provide much-needed care to a varied population. Healthcare improves not only the life of the citizens but the livelihood, too. Increased economic opportunities are just one of the many reasons for maintaining healthcare close to small towns. Emergent care and urgent care increases the timely treatment of critical ailments and injuries. When nursing care is available, grandparents remain near their familiar settings. Primary care provides a remedy for chronic and routine conditions. Other facilities that may be available in some small communities include dental, chiropractic and vision care. Altogether, these facilities keep a community running smoothly and healthily. It’s something to celebrate! HOW TO OBSERVE #RuralHealthDay Get involved. Celebrate National Rural Health Day by letting a local healthcare professional know you appreciate their care. Learn more ways to celebrate at the National Organization of State Offices of Rural. Share your ideas and learn more by visiting the powerofrural.org website. Use #PowerOfRural and #RuralHealthDay to share on social media. NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY HISTORY The National Organization of State Offices of Rural set aside the third Thursday of November to observe National Rural Health Day annually. WORLD PANCREATIC CANCER DAY WORLD PANCREATIC CANCER DAY November 20, 2025 WORLD PANCREATIC CANCER DAY On the third Thursday in November each year, the world turns purple in support of improved treatment, screenings, and research for World Pancreatic Cancer Day. The observance takes place during Pancreatic Cancer Month and serves as a reminder to take action and help spread the word about the dangers of pancreatic cancer. The unfortunate truth is, pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all different types of cancer. Only 3-5% of those diagnosed survive for up to five years. Survival rates for most other kinds of cancer have gone up over the last 40 years but not pancreatic cancer. That’s why it’s so important to play your part. Use your voice and share the facts. Encourage donations for improved treatment and finding a cure. Get involved with organizations that support pancreatic cancer research. Pancreatic cancer affects both men and women and is the seventh most common cancer death around the world. Learning your risk factors is one of the first steps toward early diagnosis. The next step is knowing the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. Symptoms The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often vague and difficult to explain. Some of the symptoms include: Abdominal or back pain Unexplained weight loss Jaundice Loss of appetite Nausea Pancreatitis Stool changes Recent onset diabetes Since early diagnosis is so important with this kind of cancer, it’s important that we take advantage of World Pancreatic Cancer Day, so that eventually, it becomes more talked about all year round. Let’s do something about it! HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldPancreaticCancerDay Survivors raise their voices on World Pancreatic Cancer Day. Join them and show your support. Here’s how: Wearing purple. Join an awareness event such as a walk. Donate. Learn your risk factors. Wear purple during #WorldPancreaticCancerDay and all month long, too! Reach out to someone you know that currently has pancreatic cancer, survived pancreatic cancer, or had a family member or friend pass away from the disease. If you want to get involved online or attend events near you, click here to find out what steps you can take. Remember, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is in November, too. So it’s the perfect time to proudly sport your purple and post on social media all day to raise awareness. Every little bit helps! WORLD PANCREATIC CANCER DAY HISTORY The World Pancreatic Coalition, comprised of more than 60 organizations, founded World Pancreatic Cancer Day in 2015 as a way to spur awareness and funding to develop effective treatments and a cure for pancreatic cancer. • • • • • •	21 NATIONAL GINGERBREAD COOKIE DAY NATIONAL GINGERBREAD COOKIE DAY November 21, 2025 NATIONAL GINGERBREAD COOKIE DAY National Gingerbread Cookie Day on November 21st encourages us to grab the rolling pin and cookie cutters. The baking will warm the home and decorating will inspire us to design tasty cookies while making memories! National Gingerbread Day takes place on June 5. A favorite food of an Armenian monk, Gregory of Nicopolis, brought gingerbread to Europe around 992 AD and taught French Christians to bake it. Gingerbread was often used in religious ceremonies and was baked to be sturdy as it was usually molded into images of saints. Gingerbread cookies make sturdy walls for houses (perfect for National Gingerbread House Day on December 12) and tasty gingerbread families that can be decorated by the children in your home. HOW TO OBSERVE #GingerbreadCookieDay Invite friends to help you bake and decorate. Get the children involved and continue family traditions. Read the story of the gingerbread man. Host a gingerbread design contest. While everyone is decorating, be sure to provide plenty of supplies. This is still important even if you’re hosting an online gingerbread design contest. You don’t want your home team to run out of icing or sprinkles just for zoom team B to zoom ahead with an abundance of supplies. One way to keep your gingerbread designs moving is by setting up stations. Start with icing, followed by sprinkles, edible glitter, and decorative piping. Then set up a drying station. Once everyone finishes, assign bragging rights to these categories: Most colorful Cookie most likely to be mistaken for a Salvador Dali Neatest icing and sprinkle usage Best use of icing Best repair job Most original design Everyone should enjoy a good laugh and savor their hard work with a glass of milk and a tasty cookie! There are many other ways to celebrate the day, too. Share your ideas and join us using #GingerbreadCookieDay to share on social media. NATIONAL GINGERBREAD COOKIE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this holiday cookie celebration. NATIONAL RED MITTEN DAY NATIONAL RED MITTEN DAY November 21, 2025 NATIONAL RED MITTEN DAY On November 21st, National Red Mitten Day represents Canadian Olympic Pride! National Red Mitten Day encourages Canadians to wear their Red Mittens in support for Canadian athletes! Red mittens represent the pride, generosity, and excellence of every Canadian. Every Canadian from the sweetest newborn to the most experienced family member, wear your mittens with pride and support each athlete as they pursue their dreams! HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRedMittensDay Wear your red mittens or purchase a pair. For every pair of $15 CDN mittens purchased at Hudson’s Bay or at thebay.com, $3.90 CDN will go to support Canadian athletes. Money raised from the Red Mittens helps provide Canadian Olympians and next-generation athletes with access to elite coaching, equipment, sports medicine, nutrition and other high-performance resources that make up a world-class daily training environment. $3.90 from the sale of each pair of Red Mittens goes to support Canadian athletes. To date, the Red Mittens alone have raised more than $30 million for the Canadian Olympic Foundation. Use #NationalRedMittensDay to share on social media. NATIONAL RED MITTENS DAY HISTORY Hudson’s Bay founded National Red Mitten Day to encourage Canadians to show their support for Canadian athletes and share their national pride through the tradition of wearing the company’s Red Mittens. Their goal on November 21st is to sell 25,000 Red Mittens to support Canadian Athletes in pursuing their dreams. Since its launch ahead of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Hudson’s Bay’s Red Mittens have become the nation’s most iconic symbol of Canadian Olympic pride. From every sale of a pair of Red Mittens, $3.90 goes to support Canadian athletes. To date, the Red Mittens alone have raised more than $30 million for the Canadian Olympic Foundation. The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Red Mitten Day to be observed annually beginning November 21, 2017. There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®! For more information, please contact: Michelle Veilleux Public Relations Director Hudson’s Bay 416-256-5182 Michelle.Veilleux@hbc.com NATIONAL STUFFING DAY NATIONAL STUFFING DAY November 21, 2025 NATIONAL STUFFING DAY November 21st is an ideal day for National Stuffing Day with Thanksgiving right around the corner. Since we are already thinking about the delicious turkey stuffing that is a traditional part of Thanksgiving dinner. Some cooks choose to stuff the bird with crusts of bread, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Others prefer to prepare a similar dish alongside the turkey using the drippings to moisten the dish. Either way, each preparation is a personal preference or family tradition. The difference is the first is called a stuffing, but the latter is referred to as a dressing. The usual turkey stuffing consists of bread cubes or crumbs combined with onions, celery, salt, and pepper. Further spices and herbs such as summer savory, sage, or poultry seasoning add flavor and variety. Other recipes include adding sausage, hamburger, tofu, oysters, egg, rice, apple, raisins, or other dried fruits. The first known documented stuffing recipes appeared in the Roman cookbook, Apicius “De Re Coquinaria.” Most of the stuffing recipes in this cookbook included vegetables, herbs and spices, nuts, and spelt (an old cereal). Some recipes also included chopped liver and other organ meat. In addition to stuffing the body cavity of poultry and fish, various cuts of meat are often stuffed once deboned and having a pouch or slit cut in them. A few examples of other meats frequently stuffed include pork chops, meatloaf, meatballs, chicken breast, lamb chops, and beef tenderloin. Stuffing isn’t limited to the butcher block. Vegetables are excellent containers for stuffing. Peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, and cabbage are just a few of the shapely veggies that make stuffing a fabulous part of your meal. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalStuffingDay Who makes the best stuffing in your family? Some families debate this question and never settle the question. That’s why they end up with multiple versions on the table at the big meal. No one complains, though! How do you like your stuffing? Challenge yourself to try a new recipe. See if you can get the family to agree to breaking with tradition. Better get in the kitchen and test those stuffing recipes before the big day. Give your stuffing some holiday flair with this classic stuffing recipe. Use #NationalStuffingDay to post on social media. NATIONAL STUFFING DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this food holiday. SUBSTITUTE EDUCATORS DAY SUBSTITUTE EDUCATORS DAY November 21, 2025 SUBSTITUTE EDUCATORS DAY American Education Week wraps up recognition of teachers and administrators by recognizing Substitute Educators Day. The event takes place the Friday before Thanksgiving each year and highlights the important role substitute teachers play in education. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there were over 500,000 substitute teachers in 2020. These educators fill the shoes of the class’s regular teacher for half a day up to several weeks. Schools post openings for substitute teachers between hours to weeks before the teacher needs to be in the classroom teaching. A substitute often doesn’t know which subject they may be teaching from one week to the next. They are flexible and resilient educators who provide a bridge between full-time educators and their students. The observance aims to elevate the respect owed to substitute educators. It’s also a way to advocate for substitutes at all levels of educations. The day also promotes being prepared for an absence at school and improving the receptiveness of substitute teachers. Substitute teachers come from every facet of life with experience in math, science, language arts, history, business, and more. Focusing on the continued progress of a classroom’s education, these teachers play a vital role in maintaining high levels of education in every school system. HOW TO OBSERVE #SubstituteEducatorsDay Celebrate the substitute teachers who work at your school. Recognize their dedication and support them as they provide a bridge to your child’s education. Use #SubstituteEducatorsDay to give a shout-out to the excellent substitute teachers in your district. SUBSTITUTE EDUCATORS DAY HISTORY The National Education Association (NEA) founded Substitute Educators Day to be observed the week of American Education Week. • • • •	22 NATIONAL CRANBERRY RELISH DAY NATIONAL CRANBERRY RELISH DAY November 22, 2025 NATIONAL CRANBERRY RELISH DAY Another seasonal holiday staple graces the table each year and National Cranberry Relish Day makes sure you’re prepared. On November 22nd make sure you’re stocked and ready. Get tasting the many recipes out there and pick your favorite one! Believed to have originated in the New England States during the early 1900s, cranberry relish is a traditional part of many families’ Thanksgiving dinner. Each Thanksgiving, Susan Stamberg provides National Public Radio listeners with her mother-in-law’s recipe for cranberry relish sauce. The American radio journalist, an American radio journalist and Special Correspondent for NPR and guest host for Weekend Edition Saturday, has been doing this since 1971. What’s unusual about the special recipe, known as Mama Stamberg’s Cranberry Relish, is that horseradish is one of its principal ingredients. Craig Claiborne originally published the recipe in his food column in 1959. Numerous cranberry relish recipes grace cookbooks and blogs across the internet. The bright and sweet flavors are enhanced by ingredients like apples, oranges, and pineapple. Make them spicy or nutty, too. You can even offer more than one style and use the leftovers for great sandwiches. But there’s more than one way to slice this cranberry. Use it as a marinade for pork, chicken or beef Add it to barbeque sauce and pour it over meatballs Mix it into a batch of muffins for breakfast Stir it into cream cheese and add it to your morning bagel HOW TO OBSERVE #CranberryRelishDay Enjoy one of the following recipes: Mama Stamberg’s Relish Cranberry Relish Fresh Cranberry Relish Fresh Cranberry Relish 2 Use #CranberryRelishDay to post on social media. NATIONAL CRANBERRY RELISH DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this seasonal food holiday. SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY November 22, 2025 SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY Small Business Saturday reminds us of the prime shopping opportunities right in our own communities. Not only do the small businesses where we work, live, and play offer numerous gift-giving possibilities, they are hands-on and ready to complete your shopping list with quality, thoughtful gifts. Every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Shop Small movement has energized small business owners to prepare for customers in every way possible. That includes the traditional brick and mortar customer to the online shopper. The single-day event continues to grow each year. That means business owners are ready for you to shop their stores! Small businesses feed our communities. They keep our main streets thriving and employ nearly half of the American workforce. Supporting small business means you’re supporting your local economy, local business, tax base, schools, and infrastructure. Your holiday shopping will put food on the tables of people you know. You be doing your community some good, and you will also be finding quality gifts. Small businesses take pride in their work. They’ve worked hard for their dream, and it shows in their craftsmanship. HOW TO OBSERVE #SmallBusinessSaturday Keep these tips in mind when shopping this holiday: Check your holiday shopping list for those who would like handcrafted items and buy locally. Handcrafted means a lot of things. For example, woodworking to sewing, pottery to quilting, welding to jewelry, baked goods to preserves and so much more! Small businesses may specialize in one area or they may offer a variety of services. Don’t hesitate to walk in and explore the store. You may be surprised to find what they offer, and discover the one thing you’ve been looking for. Who has a hard to shop for family member? We all do, right? Ask the shop owner for help. They often have ideas you’ve never considered that will fill your empty stocking. Explore your community while supporting small businesses. While finding your amazing gifts, give a shout out to your favorite small business, too! Be sure to use #SmallBusinessSaturday to post on social media. SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY HISTORY American Express founded Small Business Saturday in 2010 to get more customers into small businesses the Saturday after Thanksgiving. • •	23 NATIONAL CASHEW DAY NATIONAL CASHEW DAY November 23, 2025 NATIONAL CASHEW DAY A favorite snacking and party nut is recognized each year on November 23rd during National Cashew Day. The cashew nut is a seed harvested from the cashew tree. The tree originated in Northeastern Brazil. However, it is now widely grown in tropical climates for its cashew apples and nuts. With leaves arranged spirally and a leathery texture, the evergreen cashew tree grows as tall as 32 feet high and often has an irregularly shaped trunk. The flowers are small, starting out pale green then turning reddish, with each one having five slender, acute petals. The largest cashew tree in the world covers about 81,000 sq. ft. and is located in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Cashew Facts The cashew tree has a fruit called the “cashew apple.” Its fragile skin makes it unsuitable for transport. Latin Americans make a fruit drink from the cashew apple. The Cashew causes fewer allergic reactions than other nuts or peanuts. Although native to northeast Brazil, the Portuguese took the cashew plant to Goa, India, between 1560 and 1565. From Goa, it spread throughout Southeast Asia and, eventually, Africa. We often see peanuts, pecans, walnuts, and other nuts sold in the shell. Due to the toxic nature of the cashew nut’s shell, this is not possible. Speaking of the shell, the Cashew is not a true nut. They do not develop a hard wall around the seed as hazelnuts or walnuts do. Cashews instead have a lining around the seed that is filled with a caustic fluid. This nut is an excellent source of antioxidants. It’s also a source of dietary trace minerals: copper, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorous. Cashew oil is a dark yellow oil for cooking, or salad dressing pressed from cashew nuts. Many parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. There are so many ways to enjoy this fabulous nut. How will you be celebrating? NATIONAL EAT A CRANBERRY DAY NATIONAL EAT A CRANBERRY DAY November 23, 2025 NATIONAL EAT A CRANBERRY DAY On November 23rd, National Eat a Cranberry Day encourages us to take a bite of the bright red cranberry. But brace yourself! Found in acidic bogs throughout the cooler regions of the northern hemisphere, cranberries are a group of evergreen dwarf shrubs, or trailing vines, that grow up to 7 feet long and 8 inches high. Their stems are slender and wiry, and they have small evergreen leaves. The cranberry flowers are dark pink with very distinct reflexed petals, leaving the style and stamens fully exposed and pointing forward. The fruit of the cranberry plant is a berry that is larger than the leaves and is initially white but when ripe, turns a deep red. CRANBERRY FACTS Cranberries’ acidity overwhelms their sweetness. They’re a major commercial crop in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. However, Wisconsin leads in cranberry production with over half of U.S. production. We mostly find cranberries processed into products such as juice, sauce, jam or sweetened dried cranberries. Cranberry sauce is considered an indispensable part of a traditional American Thanksgiving meal. Due to their nutrient content and antioxidant qualities, raw cranberries are marketed as a superfruit. There are three to four species of cranberry, classified into two sections. Producers make white cranberry juice from cranberries harvested after they’ve matured but before they turn their characteristic dark red color. Some producers make cranberry wine in the cranberry-growing regions of the United States. Laboratory studies indicate that extracts containing cranberry may have anti-aging effects. The word cranberry comes from “craneberry”; first named by the early European settlers in America who felt the expanding flower, stem, calyx, and petals resembled the neck, head, and bill of a crane. HOW TO OBSERVE #EatACranBerryDay Anyone celebrating this holiday will need to incorporate cranberries with other foods. Since cranberries have such a pungent flavor, they hold their own when baked, sauteed, boiled, blended, or pureed. This list will give you ample opportunity to eat a cranberry and explore a variety of ways to enjoy them, too! Bake them. Try this Cranberry Lemon Scone recipe. The sweet and tart combination will be a perfect start to your morning. Get your health kick-started. A Cranberry Smoothie may not meet the definition of “eat a cranberry” but we’ll let it slide. This sounds too good to pass up. Add sun-dried cranberries to your oatmeal, yogurt, popcorn or trail mix. The tart berries will offer a morning or mid-day pick-me-up that traditional snacks don’t. It might also put you in a holiday mood. Bring cranberries to the savory side by making a marinade. Before serving it to your guests, make sure you know who’s in charge of doing dishes. That’s right. Not the cook. Share all your favorite ways to enjoy a cranberry and use #EatACranberryDay to post on social media. NATIONAL EAT A CRANBERRY DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this berry sweet holiday. NATIONAL ESPRESSO DAY NATIONAL ESPRESSO DAY November 23, 2025 NATIONAL ESPRESSO DAY Get the pure coffee essence on National Espresso Day! Whether you sip one cup or keep buzzing all day long, November 23rd is the day. The word espresso (/ɛˈsprɛsoʊ/; Italian pronunciation: [eˈsprɛsso]) in Italian means ‘quick in time.’ Before the advent of the espresso machine, espresso was simply a coffee expressly made for the person ordering it. It was also made with recently roasted and freshly ground beans. The cup was brewed shortly before serving. In the late 1800s, this practice was commonplace in cafés and restaurants. While today’s espresso maintains the freshness quality, it has undergone a transition in meaning. We’ve come to know espresso as a highly concentrated brew served in smaller quantities. We may also use espresso as a base for other delicious coffee creations. We can thank the espresso machine for this modern view of espresso. In 1901, Italian Luigi Bezzera invented the first successful espresso machine. The newer technologies produced a smaller, more concentrated cup more quickly than traditional coffee brewing methods. Additionally, this thicker, more intense brew created a creamy foam on top called the crema. The richer flavors and aromas of an espresso create delicious lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, macchiato, and many cafe’ creations.Beyond the range of beverages, the intense flavor of espresso lends itself to baking. Where coffee may become lost when blended with other flavors, espresso remains vibrant. Blend it with cream cheese, sugar and flour for a cheesecake. Add it to ladyfingers and make tiramisu. Many desserts call for espressos such as ice cream and creme brulee. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEspressoDay This holiday calls for the perfect cup. Whether you brew it at home or visit a local cafe, you know how you like it. Will you enjoy your espresso one of these ways? Order through the local drive-through and pay it forward (backward?) by also paying for the customer behind you in line. Pick up extra espressos for everyone in the office. Have espressos delivered to front-line workers at the hospital, fire station, police station, or ambulance bay near you. Send a gift card to your favorite teachers for National Espresso Day, letting them know just how much you appreciate them. Step out of your comfort zone and try your espresso in a new flavorful latte or cappuccino. Realize you’ve never tried baking with espresso and break out the mixer you got for your birthday. You’re a traditionalist when it comes to espresso. You only drink espresso. You don’t add flavors. It’s espresso. Don’t mess with the espresso. Enjoy a cup of espresso and use #NationalEspressoDay to post on social media. Be sure to order our Celebrate Every Day® coffee beans to help you celebrate every coffee holiday. We offer 4 roasts, including decaf. NATIONAL ESPRESSO DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this caffeinated holiday. • • •
24 CYBER MONDAY CYBER MONDAY November 24, 2025 CYBER MONDAY Cyber Monday is the Internet’s answer to Black Friday deals. The official observance takes place the Monday after Thanksgiving. While Internet-based companies traditionally offered their best holiday shopping on Cyber Monday to compete with Black Friday deals in brick and mortar stores, things have been changing. However, in more recent years, Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals tend to run together. Some start as early as the week of Thanksgiving and run right through the holiday season. But don’t neglect online deals. There may still be savings to be had. In 2014, Monday after Thanksgiving online sales continued to trend upward with 15.4% increase in revenue from 2013 sales, making it the biggest, online shopping day in history. In 2014 Americans spent an average of $124 per order on Cyber Monday. Social media also ramps up advertising opportunities, bringing potential shoppers to retailers’ online stores. Cyber shopping is expected to be up again this year with a predicted 3 billion in sales. Purchases on mobile devices also have increased, adding to the convenience of Cyber shopping for the holidays. No longer do you have to be strapped to your PC or Mac in order to make an online purchase. Purchases can now be made on the train during a morning commute while waiting for a doctor’s appointment or during a lunch break. Some of the most popular online purchases are likely to be tech items, especially wearable technology as well as traditional small appliances, clothing, gift cards, and digital media. HOW TO OBSERVE #CyberMonday When it comes to holiday shopping, we all want to get the best deals on the best gifts. While we’re on the internet, it’s important to be safe while we’re being savvy shoppers, too. Make your list early and stick to it. This will also help you to stay on budget. Stick to trusted websites and be wary of spam, scams, and spoofed sites. Shop local websites. Many small businesses also participate in Cyber Monday. You may find a deal you didn’t expect. Check your favorite retailer’s social media feeds for the best deals. Maximize your savings by using the card with the best points. When all the shopping is done, be sure to monitor your credit cards and bank accounts for suspicious activity. If you notice anything you don’t recognize, report it immediately. Get your computer out and enjoy those online deals. Use #CyberMonday to post on social media. CYBER MONDAY HISTORY On November 28 of 2005, Cyber Monday joined the lexicon thanks to a press release in Shop.org. They announced a marketing revolution with the title “Cyber Monday Quickly Becoming One of the Biggest Online Shopping Days of the Year” with astounding online sales increases the Monday following Thanksgiving. NATIONAL SARDINES DAY NATIONAL SARDINES DAY November 24, 2025 NATIONAL SARDINES DAY November 24th recognizes these silver little fishes on National Sardines Day. They may not swim right up to your plate, but they sure do pack in the flavor. While some people are afraid to taste these small, silver fish, others consider sardines a delicious snack enjoyed on their own or with crackers. Sardines are several types of small, oily fish, related to herrings. While we might be most familiar with sardines packed in cans, some enjoy fresh sardines grilled. This small fish can also be pickled and smoked, too. When canned, they can be packed in water, olive, sunflower or soybean oil or tomato, chili or mustard sauce. The term sardine was first used in English during the beginning of the 15th century, possibly coming from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia where there was an abundance of sardines. Sardines are a great source of vitamins and minerals. From one’s daily vitamin allowance containing: 13 % B2 .25 % niacin 150% vitamin B12 phosphorus calcium potassium iron selenium omega-3fatty acids vitamin D protein – B vitamins are important in helping to support proper nervous system function and are used for energy metabolism. – Omega 3 fatty acids reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and regular consumption may reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and can even boost brain function as well as help lower blood sugar levels. Relative to other fish commonly eaten by humans, sardines are very low in contaminants, such as mercury. Sardine oil is used in the manufacturing of paint, varnish and linoleum. The sardine canning industry peaked in the United States in the 1950s. The Stinson Seafood plant in Prospect Harbor, Maine, which was the last large sardine cannery in the United States, closed its doors on April 15, 2010, after 135 years in operation. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSardinesDay Share a can or two of canned sardines with a friend. See if you prefer the mustard, chili or the tomato packed ones better! Use #NationalSardinesDay to post on social media. Look, if you Celebrate Every Day® most years, this is the only holiday on this date. So we’ll offer some extra special tips to help you celebrate. Try sardines on a salad. Mash them up and mix them with some Caesar dressing for a start. Add some extra croutons if that improves the experience. Toss them with pasta and a spicy marinara sauce. Grill them with olive oil. Add lemon, garlic, and tarragon. NATIONAL SARDINE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this uncanny holiday. • •	25 BLASE’ DAY BLASE’ DAY November 25, 2025 BLASE’ DAY Blase’ Day is observed annually on November 25th. This unique observance gives us permission to be blase’ toward just about anything. Of French origin meaning to be indifferent or bored with life, unimpressed, as or as if from an excess of worldly pleasures. Unimpressed by pumpkin spice everything? It’s okay to be blase’ about it today. Heard the same pop song for the 4th time today? Be blase’. Nothing on TV tonight? Just be blase’. Bored by your friend’s team winning their 266th game in a row? Yep, you got it. Whether it’s that 20 page Christmas letter, your mom’s constant picture taking or the fifth night of leftover pizza, you can be blase’. However, there are things we shouldn’t be blase’ about. For example: Contributing to your 401k Making your car payment Restocking the coffee Singing happy birthday with a 2-year-old Being sure to Celebrate Every Day® HOW TO OBSERVE #BlaseDay There are also several ways to express your blase’ feelings. Meh. Yawn. Tune out. Use #BlaseDay to post on social media. BLASE’ DAY HISTORY Thomas & Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays created Blase’ Day. NATIONAL DAY OF GIVING NATIONAL DAY OF GIVING November 25, 2025 NATIONAL DAY OF GIVING – #GIVINGTUESDAY National Day of Giving encourages giving back. It takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. After we’ve spent the weekend shopping and looking for the best deals possible, this day reminds us to give to those less fortunate. Whether we look to our favorite causes or charities, it’s a great reminder to lift others up during a generous time of year. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. HOW TO OBSERVE #GivingTuesday Quite simply, take advantage of all the holiday deals to add to your charitable giving. Combined with your family, friends, local and national organizations and through the power of social media, Day of Giving can become a tradition worth passing on. There are several ways to give. Set up a collection for non-perishable food at work. Deliver the collection to a local food pantry. Donate gift cards to a shelter. Collect new toys and donate them to children spending the holidays in the hospital. Make blankets for those receiving cancer treatment. Share your giving ideas and use #GivingTuesday to post on social media. NATIONAL DAY OF GIVING HISTORY In 2012, 92nd Street Y in New York City created Day of Giving to bring focus to the charitable season in the wake of the commercialized Black Friday and Cyber Monday. More commonly referred to as #GivingTuesday, National Day of Giving harnesses the power of social media to give back around the world and throughout the year. NATIONAL PARFAIT DAY NATIONAL PARFAIT DAY November 25, 2025 NATIONAL PARFAIT DAY National Parfait Day kicks off breakfast, lunch, snack, or dessert just right on November 25th! This versatile dish serves up sweet or healthy in layers of goodness. Usually served in a specially styled glass, a parfait presents ingredients in appealing layers. Fruit, yogurt, or ice cream provide the basis for transitions between nuts, chocolate, or even whipped cream. A French word that literally means “perfect” was originally used to describe a kind of frozen dessert beginning in 1894. In the United States, most restaurants and ice cream shops serve parfaits in the traditional French style. They use ingredients such as parfait cream, ice cream, gelato, or pudding and layer them in a tall clear glass. To finish the parfait, a dollop of whipped cream is added or even fresh fruit or a drizzle of flavored liqueur. The Northern United States expanded on the parfait and began to use yogurt layered with nuts or granola or fresh fruits. Some of the fruits include but are not limited to strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or peaches. The idea spread quickly across all parts of the country, and the yogurt parfait gained popularity as a breakfast item. Over the years, combinations changed. Now parfaits are made up of almost any dessert mixture that works well layered in a tall, clear glass. Some popular ingredients include: Cake and cookie pieces Pretzel and cookie pieces Oatmeal, nuts, seeds Gelatin, pudding, cream fillings Coconut, chocolate chips HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalParfaitDay Enjoy a parfait for breakfast or dessert. Invite the kids to help you make them, too. They’re so easy to make. They can get creative and make their own flavors. Set up a parfait bar. Invite friends to join you. That’s the best way to #CelebrateEveryDay! Try these recipes below and share your favorites. Chocolate Peanut Butter Parfaits Fresh Orange Cream Parfaits Tropical Tapioca Parfaits Use #NationalParfaitDay to post on social media. NATIONAL PARFAIT DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday. NATIONAL PLAY DAY WITH DAD NATIONAL PLAY DAY WITH DAD November 25, 2025 NATIONAL PLAY DAY WITH DAD On November 25th, National Play Day With Dad encourages fathers to spend the day focused on fun with their kids. It’s a day designed for bonding and memories. A dad play day allows the children of fathers a focused time to bond. For busy dads, the observance provides an opportunity to get to know one another better. Some dads may choose to make positive memories. Others may want to schedule time to take pictures and capture those new memories as keepsakes. The day also gives men a chance to become the real heroes every child and community needs. Fatherhood is a grand experience. It even leads to great dad experiences. Investing in our children and their memories and adventures teaches them more than just how much we care. It provides them with a foundation they rely upon for a lifetime. They will continue to grow and build upon those gifts we give them. And someday, we will enjoy the rewards of their happiness and success. Sometimes, that includes the love they share with their children of the next generation. HOW TO OBSERVE #PlayDayWithDad Dads, set the day aside. Clear your schedules and focus on your children. Find out what interests your off-spring and pledge to join the fun. Find out what interests your off-spring and pledge to join the fun. Play arcade games together. Love, hug, smile, dance with your children. Have a photo-shoot with your family. Play a ball game together. Watch your child compete in something. Join your off-spring (adult children) while they are working on a project (at work). Tell your child stories about your father, and share your family history. Ask your child – How can I be a better father? Promote positive fatherhood. Read a book to your children. Share with us how you’re spending the day using #PlayDayWithDad socially. And share pictures of your dad, and tell Share Our Style Foundation about him. Like, Share, Comment your support socially to illustrate positive images of fatherhood. NATIONAL PLAY DAY WITH DAD HISTORY Share Our Style Foundation National Play Day With Dad in 2019 to remind fathers that their most important role in life will be to be a hero to their children. Every other role falls to the wayside when children come into our lives. Being a good parent stands out more than anything ever will. When we ace that job, we make the whole world better. Join Share Our Style Foundation in their mission for excellence in parenting. In 2019, the Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Play Day With Dad to be observed on November 25th, annually. SHOPPING REMINDER DAY SHOPPING REMINDER DAY November 25, 2025 SHOPPING REMINDER DAY Shopping Reminder Day kicks off an unofficial countdown of sorts. Whether you’re finishing up or just getting started, holiday shopping is a task that either stresses people or excites them. For those who look forward to holiday shopping, the idea of finding the perfect gift for someone they love tickles them with energy. However, others like the thrill of the hunt for deals. Still, others just love the energy of giving during the holidays. On the flip side, those who dread holiday shopping dread the crowds and traffic. Budget constraints and the commercialism drive them indoors. Somewhere there must be a balance for all of us. We select the gifts with meaning and fulfill the expectations while keeping those who need the most in mind during this holiday season. If you have holiday shopping to complete, this day is here to remind you there are only so many days left. There are 30 days until Christmas. There are 31 days until the start of Kwanzaa. There are 15 days until the start of Hanukkah. HOW TO OBSERVE #ShoppingReminderDay Use the reminder to complete what you can. Select the best shopping method for you. We even have a few tips for you to use. Make a list of who you have left to shop for. Be sure to mark them off your list when you’ve finished, otherwise, you’re likely to end up with two gifts. Be sure to communicate. Many families draw names. Not only does this save money for each family, but the gift-giving takes on a special quality. Make sure you’re staying within the dollar limit. If your mother sets a $30 limit, don’t go over that limit to outshine an in-law. That’s not what the holidays are about. While shopping the big box stores online may seem to save you a few dollars, nothing beats the quality of a local craftsperson. Besides, if there is something wrong with the product, you do know who you can speak with to get it fixed. Many local businesses offer gift cards. If you can’t find the perfect item now or the right item is out of stock, you can give a gift card for a later purchase. If you have tips, use #ShoppingReminderDay to post on social media. SHOPPING REMINDER DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this string on the finger holiday. • • • • •	26 NATIONAL CAKE DAY NATIONAL CAKE DAY November 26, 2025 NATIONAL CAKE DAY On November 26th, National Cake Day delivers a scrumptious treat for everyone to enjoy! Slide over pie, this day cake takes center stage as the dessert of choice. On most birthdays, the cake is topped with candles no matter their age. Showers, weddings, retirements and anniversaries, cake serves up a slice or two. Add ice cream, and you have America’s top favorite desserts in the same dish! Whether it’s a shapely bundt cake (celebrated on November 15) to the less curvaceous sheet cake, these sweet layered, frosting covered or fondant decorated works of art scream celebration! Whether made from scratch, a box or picked up from the bakery, a cake sends a sweet message. They also come in many combinations and flavors, too. No one can know how many. There are countless cake recipes. Some are even bread-like, others rich and elaborate, and many still are centuries old. Of Viking origin, the word cake is derived from Old Norse “kaka.” At that time, a cake’s texture was more like gingerbread due to the availability of refined ingredients.Cakes typically contain a combination of flour, sugar, eggs, and butter or oil. Additionally, some variety of liquid, such as milk or water, creates a batter. A leavening agent such as yeast or baking powder helps the cake rise. Flavorful ingredients are often added, for example, chopped nuts, fresh, candied or dried fruit, fruit purees, or extracts. Though we commonly think of cake with frosting or icing, many cakes can be enjoyed with just fruit or other toppings. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCakeDay Grab the flour and cake pans. Get dusted up and warm the house with love. Decorate and frost them. And then, deliver it to a family gathering. You know you’ll wow them with their favorite. Cream cheese frosting, buttercream or icing. What’s your favorite? Here are a few delicious choices to try. Black Forest Cake Lemon Pudding Cakes Zucchini Cake Pineapple Pudding Cake Use #NationalCakeDay to post on social media. NATIONAL CAKE DAY HISTORY While our research did not uncover the source of this day, National Day Calendar® continues researching this food holiday’s origins. NATIONAL JUKEBOX DAY NATIONAL JUKEBOX DAY November 26, 2025 NATIONAL JUKEBOX DAY On the day before gathering around the turkey, gather around the nearest jukebox to celebrate National Jukebox Day! As Americans flock to their hometowns for Thanksgiving, many will head out to neighborhood bars and restaurants. They’ll catch up with friends and family and celebrate by playing great songs on their local jukebox. The name jukebox is thought to originate from places called ‘juke houses’ or ‘jook joints.’ In the early 1900s, people congregated in these establishments to drink and listen to music. In 1889, Louis Glass and his partner William S. Arnold invented the first coin-operated player in San Francisco. They were both managers of the Pacific Phonograph Co. Formally known as the nickel-in-the-slot machine, the player included a coin operation feature on an Edison phonograph. However, it played a limited selection of songs without any amplification. Throughout history, the jukebox continued to evolve with the times. When recording artists first crooned into microphones and cut records into vinyl, an aspiring inventor in a Chicago music store worked nights to build a box that would play both sides of the record. While the Blue Grass Boys played to sold-out audiences in the Grand Ole Opry, guys and gals danced the night away by playing their song over and over again on the jukebox at a local pub. With the advancement of technology, today’s jukebox is more versatile than ever before. Touchscreen interfaces respond to the swipe of a finger (or can even be controlled by a mobile app). A vast virtual library of songs includes back catalog jukebox heroes alongside top artists of today. Throughout each era – from big band and jazz, country and blues to rock & roll, acoustic and electric and everything in between— the jukebox has played it all. HISTORY OF THE JUKEBOX 1889: The first coin-operated player was invented in San Francisco by Louis Glass and his partner William S. Arnold. 1905: The “Automatic Entertainer” was introduced by John Gabel and included 24 song selections. The 1930s were considered the start of “The Golden Era” for jukeboxes as manufacturers including Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., The J. P. Seeburg Corp., The Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corp. and Automatic Musical Instrument Co., competed to produce them for diners, saloons and other entertainment locations. 1946 ushered in “The Silver Age” for jukeboxes as market demand for the newest and greatest technology soared. Fashionable and sleek, jukeboxes weren’t just music players, they were centerpieces often flamboyant with color and chrome. Neon and sci-fi became a tremendous influence on style as well. Modern Era The 1960s was the start of a new modern age for jukeboxes. Designs of coin-operated models went through radical changes, not only because of the availability of new materials, such as plastic but also because of the need to accommodate customer demand for more song selection. In 1989, compact-disc mechanisms replaced the older record style players as newer technology became affordable and rapidly implemented among the general population. Jukeboxes started to become more of a novelty than a necessity. In 1998, TouchTunes introduced the next major innovation for the industry with the launch of the first digital networked music jukebox. For the first time, customers could search and browse from a library with 750 digital songs. In 2010, TouchTunes released the first-ever social jukebox mobile app on iOS and Android. The app allows users to find nearby jukebox locations, create playlists, and queue up songs on the jukebox directly from their phone. In 2011, TouchTunes once again revolutionized in-venue entertainment with the launch of Virtuo, a multi-application platform designed to appeal a tech-savvy audience. Users could choose from hundreds of thousands of songs available. In 2014, TouchTunes introduced the next wave of innovation with Playdium, a smarter jukebox that dynamically updates the user experience to showcase the music most relevant to each location. In 2016, TouchTunes revamped the mobile app experience to allow music fans to be the DJ like never before. The advanced app offers an intuitive music-first design and improved usability to better control the jukebox. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalJukeboxDay Hashtag it: Use the #NationalJukeboxDay hashtag on social media. Be the DJ: Help curate the official National Jukebox Day Playlist with your personal jukebox anthems. Post song recommendations at www.facebook.com/touchtunes. Play Another Song on the Jukebox Baby: When you are out on National Jukebox Day, queue up your favorite songs and let friends know how much you love that jukebox! To find nearby jukebox locations, download the TouchTunes app. Share Your Jukebox Love: Follow TouchTunes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest jukebox news and access fun social media images to share at www.touchtunes.com/nationaljukeboxday. NATIONAL JUKEBOX DAY HISTORY The day before Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest bar night of the year as families and friends gather to reconnect over drinks and load up the jukebox with their favorite songs. Coincidentally, the inaugural celebration of National Jukebox Day landed on November 23, 2017, the anniversary of the date the first coin-operated phonograph was installed by Louis Glass in the Palais Royal Saloon bar in San Francisco back in 1889. TouchTunes founded National Jukebox Day to celebrate the iconic jukebox and the powerful memories it evokes in people. TouchTunes is the largest interactive music, and entertainment network in over 65,000 bars and restaurants nationwide. The Registrar at National Day Calendar has officially declared the day before Thanksgiving to be National Jukebox Day. NATIONAL PACKAGE PROTECTION DAY NATIONAL PACKAGE PROTECTION DAY November 26, 2025 NATIONAL PACKAGE PROTECTION DAY National Package Protection Day encourages homeowners to stay alert during these high delivery times. The Wednesday after Thanksgiving is a time to remind us to protect our homes against package theft, which becomes more and more prevalent during the holidays. The internet has made it easier to find deals and have packages shipped straight to our homes. But this has also made it easier for thieves to snatch our deliveries right from our doorsteps. Cyber Monday, in particular, is a big online shopping day where most purchases are shipped directly to the buyer’s home. With the advent of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there became a need for a day that raises awareness of package theft and helps homeowners protect themselves against thieves. And just like that, Package Protection Day was born. HOW TO OBSERVE #PackageProtectionDay Spread the word throughout your neighborhood about protecting packages and deliveries. Help your community be alert during the holidays. Whether you are home or away, protect your packages and more. And share your PackageProtection stories and tips using #PackageProtectionDay and #alwayshome on social media. NATIONAL PACKAGE PROTECTION DAY HISTORY Ring.com founded National Package Protection Day in 2016 to alert citizens to protect their valuable purchases, especially during the high-traffic holiday season. The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the awareness day to be observed the Wednesday after Thanksgiving annually. NATIONAL TIE ONE ON DAY NATIONAL TIE ONE ON DAY November 26, 2025 NATIONAL TIE ONE ON DAY National Tie One on Day might confuse people with its name. However, it is not at all about going out, getting crazy and drinking too much while others are at home, working hard preparing for tomorrow’s big Thanksgiving Day meal. The day celebrates the apron as well as the past generations of women who wore them and it was also created as a day to bring joy to the life of someone in need and celebrate the spirit of giving. “Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.” EllynAnne Geisel Through the years, aprons have served many purposes. They’ve protected hands from hot items coming out of the oven. In a moment of sadness, they’ve wiped tears away. Generation after generation, they protect our clothes while we cook. Though, they also protect shy, young children as they hide from strangers. During moments of haste or even humor, they handily swat away unwelcome kitchen visitors (cats, flies or cookie snatchers). They’ve carried eggs, vegetables, toys, and even the catch of the day. Aprons fan us as we wait for cakes to finish cooking and while on cool mornings, they’ve warmed hands waiting for children at the bus stop or for the postman. Occasionally, they even make us feel a little more adept in the kitchen, too. HOW TO OBSERVE #TieOneOnDay As part of National Tie One on Day, buy an apron, bake something, tuck a note of encouragement in the pocket of the apron (or pin it on it). Wrap the baked good in the apron and give it to someone in need on Thanksgiving Eve. Use #TieOneOnDay to post on social media. When you take a break from cooking, explore these 7 Kitchen Innovations to Be Thankful For. NATIONAL TIE ONE ON DAY HISTORY Best-selling author, Ellyn Anne Geisel, created National Tie One on Day. She’s also the author of the book titled, The Apron Book. • • • •	27 NATIONAL BAVARIAN CREAM PIE DAY NATIONAL BAVARIAN CREAM PIE DAY November 27, 2025 NATIONAL BAVARIAN CREAM PIE DAY Each year on November 27th, National Bavarian Cream Pie Day recognizes a pie that makes a grand entrance. This rich and delectable dessert is possible, thanks to the French chef, Marie-Antione Carême. In the early 19th century, Carême established many of the French cooking techniques still used today. He’s even given credit for abolishing some practices from his kitchens. One dessert Carême receives credit for includes the creation of Bavarian cream. Perhaps he didn’t create it but perfected this gelatin-based pastry cream. Initially, gourmet restaurants and luxury hotels served Bavarian cream pie in France in the early 19th century. Also called crème bavaroise, Bavarian cream is a custard made with gelatin that allows the cream to set more firmly in molds. The cream allows a variety of flavors, hence numerous recipes. Once you’ve made the preferred flavor of Bavarian cream, pour into a pie crust and chill until set. Bavarian cream compliments many other desserts, too. HOW TO OBSERVE #BavarianCreamPieDay This delicious dessert is a perfect one to share. Make one at home or sneak out for dessert at your favorite restaurant. Another option is to pick up a pie at your local bakery or café. Be sure to give them a shout out. It’s a terrific way to #CelebrateEveryDay! If you’re ambitious, give this recipe a try. Enjoy this Vanilla Bavarian Cream Pie recipe. Use #BavarianCreamPieDay to post on social media. NATIONAL BAVARIAN CREAM DAY HISTORY While our research did not uncover the source of this day, National Day Calendar® continues researching this pie holiday’s origins. NATIONAL CRAFT JERKY DAY NATIONAL CRAFT JERKY DAY November 27, 2025 NATIONAL CRAFT JERKY DAY National Craft Jerky Day, on November 27th, recognizes that craft jerky is the standard by which all other jerky is measured. It awakens the taste buds and ignites the opinions of jerky fans the world over. The day focuses on artisanal creators of this dehydrated, seasoned meat and snack extraordinaire. There remain those who satisfy the world’s craving with original carnivorous creations in a world sedated by jerky marketing gimmicks. National Craft Jerky Day honors those who blaze their own path in the meat market. For many, jerky making is a tradition. The meat regales the world with a story of family, dedication, love, and, simply put – hunger. The flavors recreate the stories from recipes passed down through generations, from hunters, farmers, families, and old friends. They come alive when casting spices and burning a slew of woods, unshackling the natural flavors locked in the dried meat. Quality meat and small batch production also beget unique, original recipes often influenced by regional fare and flair. For the casual jerky fan, the magnitude of flavor you experience today will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. And, it will alter your jerky preferences forever. For all those artisans passionate enough to take their traditions beyond family and friends, National Craft Jerky Day honors you and your dedication to the craft. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCraftJerkyDay On November 27th, let us sink our ravenous teeth into the delicacy that is jerky. Savor the beef, pork, venison, bird, or buffalo. Delve into the meat manifestations of the modern jerky era, never to look back. Shine the spotlight on flavor, spice, sweetness, smoky, tender, on delectable jerky. And recognize the dedicated artisans who afford us such a pleasure. As you enjoy your favorite artisan fare, send a shout-out to those carrying out these family traditions. Feed the storytelling flames and order more of the artisanal best to send to family and friends. It’s another delicious way to shop small. Speaking of shopping small, add this carnivorous gift to your wish list for the holidays. This consumable gift will always fit and won’t become clutter in June. No matter how you celebrate, be sure to join the conversation and use #NationalCraftJerkyDay to share on social media. NATIONAL CRAFT JERKY DAY HISTORY Long Beach Jerky Co. founded National Craft Jerky Day to honor all the small-batch jerky makers. For Alex Naticchioni, the founder of Long Beach Jerky Co. and the impetus behind this glorious day of carnivorous appetites, making jerky on Christmas day with his grandfather, Albert (AKA “Gramps”), was the genesis of his craft. In fact, Alex and company chose November 27th in honor of Gramps’ birthday, and his legacy will live on through the inspiration and love he bestowed upon his family. For Long Beach Jerky Co. and many other jerky proprietors, what began as a family tradition has evolved into a passion, a drive to create a new market for all jerky varieties. NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING November 27, 2025 NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING The fourth Thursday in November recognizes the National Day of Mourning each year. The organizers of this observance consider Thanksgiving Day as a continued reminder of the democide and suffering of Native American people. Since 1970, participants in the National Day of Mourning have honored Native ancestors and their struggles to survive today. Part of the mission behind the event is to educate Americans about the history of Thanksgiving. Organized by United American Indians of New England (UAINE) during a period of Native American activism, the march has brought about revisions in the depiction of United States history and government and settler relationships with Native American peoples as well as a renewed appreciation for their culture. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDayOfMourning Consider taking another look at American history and the many varied Native American cultures all across the United States. Examine the relationships, traditions, customs, beliefs. Are you looking for a place to start? An excellent resource is firstnations.org. They offer a comprehensive reading list for all ages. The topics are varied and provide recommendations from their staff as well. For streaming options, look for films like Our Spirits Don’t Speak English, Dreamkeeper, Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, Imprint, or The Cherokee Word for Water. Use #NationalDayOfMourning to post on social media. NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING HISTORY Since 1970, an annual march and rally organized by United Americans Indians of New England takes place on the fourth Thursday in November, the same day as Thanksgiving. They honor Native ancestors while educating the American public. While the event coincides with a similar protest, Unthanksgiving Day, held on the West Coast, the two events are unrelated. THANKSGIVING DAY THANKSGIVING DAY November 27, 2025 THANKSGIVING DAY Thanksgiving Day is observed each year in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, amid the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. HOW TO OBSERVE #ThanksgivingDay In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance; instead, it now centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. Turkey, a Thanksgiving staple so ubiquitous it has become all but synonymous with the holiday, may or may not have been on offer when the Pilgrims hosted the inaugural feast in 1621. Today, however, nearly 90 percent of Americans eat the bird—whether roasted, baked or deep-fried—on Thanksgiving, according to the National Turkey Federation. Other traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity. Communities often hold food drives and host free dinners for the less fortunate. Parades have also become an integral part of the holiday in cities and towns across the United States. Presented by Macy’s department store since 1924, New York City’s Thanksgiving Day parade is the largest and most famous, attracting some 2 to 3 million spectators along its 2.5-mile route and drawing an enormous television audience. It typically features marching bands, performers, elaborate floats conveying various celebrities and giant balloons shaped like cartoon characters. Beginning in the mid-20th century and perhaps even earlier, the president of the United States has “pardoned” one or two Thanksgiving turkeys each year, sparing the birds from slaughter and sending them to a farm for retirement. Several U.S. governors also perform the annual turkey pardoning ritual, too. Use #ThanksgivingDay to post on social media. THANKSGIVING DAY HISTORY Plymouth In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England. The ship carried 102 passengers—an assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and other individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the New World. After a treacherous and uncomfortable crossing that lasted 66 days, they dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River. One month later, the Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims, as they are now commonly known, began the work of establishing a village at Plymouth. Throughout that first brutal winter, most of the colonists remained on board the ship. They suffered from exposure, scurvy, and outbreaks of contagious disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived. When the remaining settlers moved ashore in March, they received an astonishing visit. An Abenaki Indian greeted them in English. Several days later, he returned with another Native American named Squanto. Squanto was a member of the Pawtuxet tribe, had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery before escaping to London and returning to his homeland on an exploratory expedition. Squanto taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe. The alliance would endure for more than 50 years, and tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans. First Thanksgiving In November 1621, after the first successful corn harvest, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast. He invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as American’s “first Thanksgiving”—although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time—the festival lasted for three days. While no record exists of the historic banquet’s menu, the Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow wrote in his journal that Governor Bradford sent four men on a “fowling” mission in preparation for the event and that the Wampanoag guests arrived bearing five deer. Historians suggest that many of the dishes likely used traditional Native American spices and cooking methods. Because the Pilgrims had no oven and the Mayflower’s sugar supply had dwindled by the fall of 1621, the meal did not feature pies, cakes or other desserts, which have become a hallmark of contemporary celebrations. This history of Thanksgiving provided by www.History.com. For more information on Thanksgiving, go to http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving. The Next Thanksgivings Pilgrims held their second Thanksgiving celebration in 1623 to mark the end of a long drought that had threatened the year’s harvest and prompted Governor Bradford to call for a religious fast. Days of fasting and thanksgiving on an annual or occasional basis became common practice in other New England settlements as well. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress designated one or more days of thanksgiving a year. In 1789 George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States; in it, he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the happy conclusion to the country’s war of independence and the successful ratification of the U.S. Constitution. His successors John Adams and James Madison also designated days of thanks during their presidencies. In 1817, New York became the first of several states to adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday officially; each celebrated it on a different day, however, and the American South remained largely unfamiliar with the tradition. National Observance In 1827, the noted magazine editor and prolific writer Sarah Josepha Hale—author, among countless other things, of the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb”—launched a campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday.For 36 years, she published numerous editorials. The editor sent scores of letters to governors, senators, presidents, and other politicians. At the height of the Civil War in 1863, Abraham Lincoln finally heeded her request. In a proclamation, he entreated all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.” President Lincoln scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November. It was celebrated on that day every year until 1939 when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression. Roosevelt’s plan, known derisively as Franksgiving, was met with passionate opposition. In 1941, the president reluctantly signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November. TURKEY FREE THANKSGIVING TURKEY FREE THANKSGIVING November 27, 2025 TURKEY FREE THANKSGIVING Turkey Free Thanksgiving is observed annually on the fourth Thursday in November. There are several supportive perspectives for the removal of the turkey from the Thanksgiving feast. From the foodie point of view, there are many more scrumptious proteins than the humble gobbler. There are also vegetarian and animal rights viewpoints, which are self-explanatory. Regardless of your perspective, choices abound for a delicious spread without a turkey on Thanksgiving Day. When you keep the yams, sweet corn casserole, pumpkin pie, and mashed potatoes, there are only a few other items left to fill the table. Proteins come in a variety of forms. Chickpeas and quinoa pack a lot of protein. Stuff them along with cheese and seasonings into bell peppers for a colorful centerpiece. For those who need meat on the table, roast a leg of lamb or serve tender prime rib. HOW TO OBSERVE #Turkey Free Thanksgiving Enjoy Thanksgiving without a turkey. We’ve provided a few recipes to try, but be sure to share your favorite turkey-free Thanksgiving options, too! Curried Potato and Lentil Soup Sweet Potato and Tatertot Hotdish Chickpea and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers Use #TurkeyFreeThanksgiving to post on social media. TURKEY FREE THANKSGIVING HISTORY Within our research, National Day Calendar® was unable to identify the origins of this day. • • • • •	28 BLACK FRIDAY BLACK FRIDAY November 28, 2025 BLACK FRIDAY In the United States, the day after Thanksgiving has become known as Black Friday and is considered the official kick-off for holiday shopping. Retailers across the country slash prices, offer doorbuster deals on popular big-ticket items and often open in the wee hours of the morning to extend early bird specials. Dedicated and thrifty shoppers line up outside the stores to be the first to grab that special deal or this season’s popular and hard-to-find gift. HOW TO OBSERVE #BlackFriday Get out for those amazing Black Friday deals. There are several ways to maximize your Black Friday shopping success: Plan ahead. Scour the ads both online and in newspapers. Prioritize the wish list. Which item will you save the most if you can nab it? Check to see if any of the deals are available online. Why stand in line when you can order from the comfort of your home? Compare lists with friends and family. We can’t be in two places at once, and not all the deals on your lists will be at the same store. Coordinate with your group to divide and conquer. Work as a team to maximize successful shopping. Make sure there isn’t a purchase limit. If there is, make sure the team for that store is big enough to obtain the required number of bounty. Set the alarm clock. Some of the best Black Friday deals start soon after midnight. Dress warm if you are located in the colder regions of the country. Pack a snack, a thermos of tea or coffee, and maybe even a lawn chair. Those lines and the wait get long. Work in pairs. You don’t want to lose your place in line if nature calls. Black Friday shopping just isn’t your style? That’s okay. Then all you will need for that is an internet connection and a credit card. Use #BlackFriday to post on social media. BLACK FRIDAY HISTORY The origin of Black Friday is derived from the enormous amount of sales retailers report which can often bring their profits into the black. Black in accounting is used to describe a business making a profit as opposed to being in the red denoting losses. Before 1980, the term Black Friday had a more ominous term in sports. It was considered a curse. For example, in 1981, on March 13th (an unlucky Friday) the 76ers lost for the second Friday the 13th in a row. Sportswriters used the term Black Friday in reference to their bad luck. In another reference, the term described the dread of employees who would potentially be without jobs on a Friday. It also reflected the darkest and widest spread financial impacts – the fall of Wall Street. The Black Friday of 1869 may be the earliest use of the term. Buy Nothing Day Buy Nothing Day November 28, 2025 BUY NOTHING DAY Buy Nothing Day is observed annually on the day after Thanksgiving. This day is part of a movement against consumerism, urging the world to change their purchasing habits, to consume and produce less. HOW TO OBSERVE #Buy Nothing Day Instead of shopping, stay home, and relax. Or you can try these ways to show support for the day. Cut up credit cards. Do a Whirl-mart – the act of disrupting others shopping by pushing your shopping cart around a store over and over while purchasing nothing. Organize a Christmas Zombie walk – a visual expression of the obsession consumers have with Black Friday deal. Balance your checkbook. Read a book about counter-consumerism like the Empire of Things by Frank Trentmann. Clean out your closet. Donate or volunteer at a local food pantry. Use #BuyNothingDay to post on social media. BUY NOTHING DAY HISTORY Buy Nothing Day originated in Canada in September of 1992 as a way to protest the frenzy of Black Friday shopping. In 1997, the day’s founder, artist Ted Dave, moved the day to the Friday after Thanksgiving to correspond with one of the most popular shopping days in the United States. CHANUKAH CHANUKAH November 28, 2025 CHANUKAH Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the re-dedication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah (Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה, usually spelled חנוכה pronounced [χanuˈka] in Modern Hebrew, also romanized as Chanukah or Chanuka), is observed for eight nights and days. It starts on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. Did you know these facts? Hanukkah is not considered a significant religious holiday when compared to other Jewish holidays. The menorah holds nine candles. In the center stands the shamus or servant. The shamus lights the eight other Hanukkah candles. The Hanukkah candles are strictly for pleasure. They are not to be utilized for any useful or productive purpose. The shamus is available, so the Hanukkah candles aren’t accidentally used to light a fire in the fireplace or another useful purpose. Gift giving is not traditionally a part of the Hanukkah holiday. Playing dreidel is a gambling game popular during the Hanukkah holiday. Fried foods are traditional during the holiday, representing the oil used to light the lamps. HOW TO OBSERVE #Chanukah While learning more about Chanukah, celebrate the holiday with a few of these traditions: Light the menorah for the eight nights of the celebration. Play the dreidel game. Teach others how to play, too. Give gelt or chocolate coins. Don’t forget the fried food! Pastries, donuts and latkes come to mind. There are so many kinds of latkes to try, too! Check out the recipes at My Jewish Learning for more ways than you can imagine. Invite friends to join you in your traditions. Retell the Chanukah story. Share your Chanukah traditions with others. See Use #Chanukah to post on social media. CHANUKAH HISTORY During the time of Alexander the Great, Jewish culture began to blend with the Greek culture. Jews who accepted Greek culture at the expense of their religion became known as Hellenists. Alexander and the Jews had a mostly peaceful relationship; the Jews were loyal to his rule, and Alexander didn’t destroy and abuse them. Around 190 BCE, when Alexander left Israel, and Antiochus IV took over, most Jews had assimilated to Greek culture but continued to practice their faith. However, Antiochus expected more from the Jews. Antiochus forced Greek culture on the devout Jewish people by placing Hellenistic priests in the Temple. He also desecrated the Temple by sacrificing pigs at the altar, prohibiting Jews from practicing their faith, killing their faithful, and levying heavy taxes upon them. A rebel force of Jews formed around the year 166 BCE. They revolted against Antiochus’ government and took back the Temple. So that they could rededicate the Temple, oil was needed for the menorah. But there was only enough undefiled oil to last one night. Miraculously, it lasted eight days. Hanukkah is the eight-day Festival of Lights commemorating this miracle of the oil. MAIZE DAY MAIZE DAY November 28, 2025 MAIZE DAY Maize Day, on the day after Thanksgiving, recognizes the importance of a plant common across the Americas. The day is set aside for all Americans, regardless of heritage, to celebrate corn’s traditional role on the North American continent. While other plant life was transplanted and imported, corn was common across the Americas. It was a central food source used by all the nations and an essential part of their everyday diet. The day also celebrates the traditional crops and foods of Native Americans. There are many varieties of maize. Depending on the kind of maize, it may make delicious corn tortillas. Others are best roasted and eaten on the cob. And of course, some kinds of maize make perfect popping corn. HOW TO OBSERVE #MaizeDay Serve a meal featuring ingredients used by Native Americans. There is quite a bounty of food to choose from, too. The rivers, lakes, and oceans supply a variety of delicious fish. Enjoy some salmon, bluegill, trout, or channel catfish with your sweet corn tonight. All across the country, our gardens grow many vibrant and tasty squash full of texture and flavor. Perhaps a corn and zucchini salad will make it on the menu. We also grow beans, asparagus, tomatoes, and of course, maize. In our fields and on our trees, we grow so many varieties of nuts. Some of them grow wild still. We also pluck from the trees sweet persimmons, and in the fields, we’ve carefully tended the hives where the bees make the honey. Together, honey and corn make an irresistible honey butter skillet. Cattails, dandelions, mushrooms, and chicory delight our meals with seasonal goodness, much like the corn we savor on the grill or ground for our tortillas. Which one will you try tonight? Use #MaizeDay to post on social media. NATIONAL MAIZE DAY HISTORY Artist Corinne Lightweaver started national Maize Day in 2004. This holiday began as a small research project through which I intended—with my family—to commemorate the United States holiday of Thanksgiving through the viewpoint of the indigenous people. – Corinne Lightweaver NATIONAL DAY OF LISTENING NATIONAL DAY OF LISTENING November 28, 2025 NATIONAL DAY OF LISTENING On the day after Thanksgiving, National Day of Listening encourages you to gather your family and friends and record family history and stories for preservation. The program, created by StoryCorps, reminds us of the value our stories hold. ” …every life matters equally, every voice matters equally, every story matters equally…” David Isay, founder of StoryCorps Have you ever wondered what Grandma’s favorite memory is or how your father got that scar on his brow? What’s the story behind a friend’s nickname? Recording stories and sharing them gives breath to them. When we gather with family and friends, we often reminisce. And while not all memories are pleasant, they hold a power over us that needs to be released. Telling them and sharing them lets our friends and families learn some of the lessons, some of our culture and heritage. Our stories connect us, and hearing others’ stories opens our eyes to the broader world. We’re made of many experiences and the experiences of those who’ve gone before us. Spend the day listening to their stories. Record them. Share them. Interview someone close to you or someone new to you. Let them become an indelible part of your life. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDayOfListening Interview a friend or family member and record the interview. StoryCorps provides a DIY guide as well as lists of Great Questions based on who you interview. There is no format requirement for recording the interviews on National Day of Listening. Whether you record them onto digital devices, a tape recorder, or pen and paper, the essential part is to record the story for future generations. If you record in a digital format, you can also upload the recording to StoryCorps’ using an app or use #NationalDayofListening to post on social media. National Day Calendar® Classroom followers, join the project! Visit the classroom for ideas to engage your students on #NationalDayofListening. NATIONAL DAY OF LISTENING HISTORY In 2008, the non-profit organization, StoryCorps, launched the National Day of Listening to encourage families to set aside the day after Thanksgiving as a time to share and record the history of their family, friends, and community. NATIONAL FLOSSING DAY NATIONAL FLOSSING DAY November 28, 2025 NATIONAL FLOSSING DAY After enjoying a grand meal, National Flossing Day reminds us to take care of our teeth and gums. This health observance takes place each year on the day after Thanksgiving! The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day to achieve the best results for oral health. Daily flossing removes plaque from areas between your teeth where a toothbrush is ineffective. Plaque can turn into calculus or tarter so it is important to floss daily. Flossing is also an important step in the prevention of gum disease and cavities. When is National Smile Day? Taking care of our teeth and gums is an important health practice that helps us enjoy many Thanksgiving dinners to come. There are a variety of flossing products that help us take care of teeth. We can use waxed or unwaxed floss. Minty wax gives our gums a fresher breath. The floss removes food particles and prevents plaque build-up between cleanings. For more information on flossing, go to www.Flossing.org. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFlossingDay This would be a good day to develop the habit of flossing. Do you ever wonder who invents the things that keep our teeth healthy? We explore 9 Inventors Who Influenced Dentistry to answer some of your questions. Use #NationalFlossingDay to post on social media. NATIONAL FLOSSING DAY HISTORY The National Flossing Council created National Flossing Day in the year 2000. NATIONAL FRENCH TOAST DAY NATIONAL FRENCH TOAST DAY November 28, 2025 NATIONAL FRENCH TOAST DAY Each year on November 28th, people across the United States enjoy National French Toast Day. Also known as eggy bread or omelet bread, it makes a great breakfast for guests or part of a brunch. Home cooks and professionals alike whip up a few personal favorites when it comes to french toast recipes. The base consists of eggs and milk whisked together. Bread is dipped into the mixture and fried until golden. Many people also add some sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon to the base. The flavor of French toast can be brightened with a squeeze of a fresh orange or stuffed with sauteed apples and cinnamon. Make French toast kid-friendly by cutting it into sticks. Then dip the sticks into syrup. Substitute sugary syrup with a fruit puree and fresh fruit pieces. Nuts and seeds add crunch to this delicious breakfast fare, and don’t forget the whipped cream! Just a dollop goes a long way. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFrenchToastDay Make French toast as part of big breakfast. Freeze leftovers for easy breakfasts later in the week. Have breakfast for dinner. Share your favorite French toast recipes. Do you love cinnamon and vanilla? What’s the best fruit toppings? Add apple butter or another jam. Share your favorite combinations using #NationalFrenchToastDay to post on social media. Give these recipes a try: French Toast Apple Stuffed French Toast NATIONAL FRENCH TOAST DAY HISTORY Within our research, we were unable to find the creator and the origin of National French Toast Day. NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY November 28, 2025 NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY National Native American Heritage Day on the day after Thanksgiving honors American Indians across the nation. The day celebrates the vibrant cultures, traditions, and heritages while recognizing the many contributions Native Americans have made. The day encourages listening to Native American voices and fostering pride in the vibrant and layered heritage that’s embedded deep within our society. In the United States today, Native Americans contribute to society daily. Whether through art or government, their insight and perspective elevate an art form or a district. They serve in the military, the medical and legal fields. Their knowledge wins battles large and small. Carol Metcalf-Gardipe – Geologist Ms. Gardipe’s many roles include director of the American Indian Engineering Program (the first of its kind) and one of seven founders of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). She is also a professor, administrator, and an award-winning geologist who held positions with the U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Lila Downs – Musician The Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter immigrated from Oaxaca, Mexico, and has been singing since she was eight-years-old. While her Latin style speaks to a global audience, her music also has heavy jazz influences. Deb Haaland (Rep-D) Representative Haaland was elected to Congress in 2019 from New Mexico’s 1st District. She has served on the Armed Services Committee and Natural Resources Committee. Both parents served in the U.S. Military. Her father was in the Marines and her mother in the Navy. Emory Sekaquaptewa – Anthropologist Hopi linguist, anthropologist, scholar, educator, artist, and appellate court judge, Emory Sekaquaptewa is best known for developing the first Hopi language dictionary. Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble In 2008, Keeble became the first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive the Medal of Honor. During a battle in the Korean War, his actions saved the lives of fellow Soldiers. He was born in 1917 in Waubay, SD, but spent most of his life growing up near Wahpeton, ND. As the war heated up in Europe, Keeble joined the North Dakota National Guard in 1942. His service included World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and the Combat Infantryman Badge in addition to the Medal of Honor. HOW TO OBSERVE #NativeAmericanHeritageDay To celebrate Native American Heritage Day, try any of the following: Read a story about or by a Native American. Visit one of many Native American museums, heritage centers, or historical sights. Try a delicious Native American recipe. Pemmican Algonquin Wild Nut Soup Posole with Red Chile Watch a movie or documentary about or by a Native American. Participate in or watch a game of Lacrosse. Attend one of many seminars, performances, or events honoring Native American culture across the country. Use #NativeAmericanHeritageDay to post on social media. NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY DAY HISTORY Riding horseback from state to state in 1914, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, sought endorsement from 24 states in support of a national day recognizing and honoring Native Americans. He presented these endorsements to the White House the following year. While no national day was proclaimed, the state of New York declared the second Saturday in May as American Indian Day. In 1986, the 99th Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing the President to proclaim the week of November 23-30, 1986, as American Indian Week. President Ronald Reagan declared the first American Indian week that year and each year following of his presidency. President George H.W. Bush continued the proclamations until 1990 when he approved a joint resolution to declare November as National American Indian Heritage Month. This tradition has continued annually. In 2008 the Native American Heritage Day Act was enacted by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush on October 8, 2008. YOU’RE WELCOMEGIVING DAY YOU’RE WELCOMEGIVING DAY November 28, 2025 YOU’RE WELCOMEGIVING DAY You’re Welcomegiving Day is observed annually on the day after Thanksgiving. Conventionally when someone thanks us for a kindness or service, we respond by saying, “You’re Welcome.” So, it was inevitable that someone would suggest the day after Thanksgiving we should remember to say, “You’re welcome.” The phrase “you’re welcome” covers a variety of thank yous in English. Whether the appreciation is coming from an individual or a group, “you’re welcome” works. It can be said while giving a hug, a handshake, or a smile. When we really mean that our effort was meant with care, “you’re very welcome” goes a long way. Our tone and facial expressions say a lot, too. However, in other languages, “you’re welcome” doesn’t translate so well. The plural and singular “you” is part of the problem. Also, in some languages, the phrase is unknown altogether. Variations of a response to a show of appreciation exist all over the world, but “you’re welcome” as a polite social necessity seems to only exist in English. Other similar responses in English exist, but they don’t seem as automatic making them more sincere when spoken. Try these examples out the next time someone thanks you: It was our pleasure. I was honored to do it. Our home is your home. I was happy to (fill in the blank). It was a delight having you. I hope someone will do the same for me if I’m ever in the same predicament. We enjoyed (fill in the blank). This is our favorite thing to do! HOW TO OBSERVE #YoureWelcomegivingDay What is your favorite way of saying “you’re welcome”? Do you know someone who has a memorial way of making people feel at ease when they’ve completed a favor? You know, someone who is always helping out, and when you go to thank them, they are either gone or their genuine response is something other than “You’re welcome,” but means the same thing. On You’re Welcomegiving Day, say “You’re welcome” in your own way. Whether you host an event, volunteer, or help someone out, what’s your favorite way to say, “You’re welcome”? Let us know by using #YoureWelcomegivingDay to post on social media. YOU’RE WELCOMEGIVING DAY HISTORY Richard Ankli of Ann Arbor, Michigan, creator of the unreasonable holiday Sourest Day and the rhyming May Ray Day, designated You’re Welcomegiving Day in 1977 as a way to create a four-day weekend. • • • • • • • • •	29 ELECTRONIC GREETINGS DAY ELECTRONIC GREETINGS DAY November 29, 2025 ELECTRONIC GREETINGS DAY Observed annually on November 29th, Electronic Greetings Day encourages us to send an electronic greeting. At the same time, the day reminds us of how much things have changed. The convenience and speed of sending an electronic greeting allows more people than ever to participate in this thoughtful process. We all enjoy it when someone remembers our birthdays, anniversaries, and other important life events. While greeting cards continue to be used, electronic greetings are far more cost-effective and mean equally as much. Since the advent of the electronic greeting, social media and other messaging systems are expanding our communication methods. We can send a birthday wish through a messaging system and include a favorite memory. If a friend is sick, we show we care by simply clicking a button and sending funny videos. When we miss someone, these days we’re never very far away. We can send them a video message. Wait, we can do better than that. With our smartphone or computer, video chats keep us connected, too. The miracles of technology continue to expand and bring us closer all the time. HOW TO OBSERVE #ElectronicGreetingsDay Send an electronic greeting. Use your preferred method of communication – electronically. It may be text, video, live or pre-recorded. Make it short or long. Maybe it will be on social media, or perhaps, it will be a sweet card through e-mail. Gather the family together for a group discussion or play a game online. However, you send it, Celebrate Every Day® with enthusiasm, and share it using #ElectronicGreetingsDay to post on social media. ELECTRONIC GREETINGS DAY HISTORY Not long after the advent of electronic mail (e-mail) in 1993, the electronic greeting came along. Judith Donath created the first electronic greeting card site in 1994 at the MIT Media Lab. It was called the Electric Postcard. National Day Calendar® is continuing research on the source of Electronic Greetings Day. •	30 COMPUTER SECURITY DAY COMPUTER SECURITY DAY November 30, 2025 COMPUTER SECURITY DAY Computer Security Day on November 30th reminds us to protect our computers. Every day, computers become faster and more advanced. Protecting the resources, tools, and information on them protects the people who use them, too. Since the first home computer, how we use them has changed. Today, we use computers to stay connected. We bank and work from home. While computers are on every campus in every school, many gain an education right from home. We do our taxes, attend meetings and research complex issues all on computers. When is World Password Day? Wouldn’t it make sense to do everything possible to keep these powerful machines secure? Some of them hold a lifetime of data. Precious and irreplaceable photos, journals, novels, passwords. It’s vital to protect even a portion of that information. Our very identity exists on computers. Identity theft, fraud, ransomware, viruses, and more constantly attack our computers. They seek the most vulnerable users. In an instant, they take us offline, derailing a lifetime of accomplishment. Protect your family and business by giving your computers a security check-up. HOW TO OBSERVE #ComputerSecurityDay Use the checklist below to secure your computer. It’s important to review your computer’s security on a regular basis. If you use social media, it’s a good time to review your settings. Social media is another way identity thieves, viruses and computer fraud is committed. Spread the word on social media using #ComputerSecurityDay to inform others how they can secure their data! Enable Windows Update. Install and keep running antivirus software. Turn on Windows Firewall. Keep all software updated. Always use strong passwords. Don’t share passwords and don’t write them down. A password is required to access my computer. Remove unused programs. Secure your wireless network. Back up critical data. Use caution when browsing the Internet. I log off the computer when I’m not using it. My web browser does not store or remember my passwords. Periodically remove temporary Internet files. COMPUTER SECURITY DAY HISTORY In 1988, the Association for Computer Security launched the first Computer Security Day to raise awareness concerning computer security issues. NATIONAL MASON JAR DAY NATIONAL MASON JAR DAY November 30, 2025 NATIONAL MASON JAR DAY On November 30th, National Mason Jar Day commemorates an ingenious invention that’s been bringing families together for generations. Simply by opening a jar of fruit preserves or spicy salsa, we enjoy the flavors of summer in the midst of winter. For those who love to pickle, the Mason jar rescues fruits and veggies from the garden. From green beans to watermelon, we make them sweet or spicy! While food preservation has existed for centuries, John Landis Mason from New Jersey made home canning safe. The young tinsmith’s patent #22186 for an “Improvement in screwneck bottles” issued a revolutionary design. Since then, gardeners have been canning. They stocked their pantries from their victory gardens. Some padded their wallets with their heirloom collections. And many more shared their bounty as colorful gifts. Mason jars pull double duty as beautiful DIY projects in shabby chic vases or as an artfully painted desk caddy. However, we use these versatile vessels, this holiday delight in their existence and their utility. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMasonJarDay While Mason jars started as a way to preserve the bounty of our gardens, these jars are versatile. They come in a variety of styles, both old and new. Share all your favorite ways to use Mason Jars. Whether you fill them with your favorite recipes, a miniature fairy garden or hang them from a chandelier, show your appreciation for the Mason jar. Share your gardening and DIY gifts with friends and neighbors. Host a Mason jar crafting party. Transplant your favorite houseplant into a classic Mason jar and give it as a gift. However you celebrate, be sure to use #NationalMasonJarDay on social media. NATIONAL MASON JAR DAY HISTORY Misty Campbell-Olbert, the founder of Unboxing the Bizarre, founded National Mason Jar Day in 2017 to celebrate a day that should have existed a long time ago! Mason jars are synonymous with ingenuity, independence, and creativity – all things worthy of celebration! NATIONAL METH AWARENESS DAY NATIONAL METH AWARENESS DAY November 30, 2025 NATIONAL METH AWARENESS DAY As part of a nationwide effort, November 30th has been declared National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. The day aims to educate the American public about the effects of methamphetamine abuse on families and communities. As part of the initiative, it is hoped to increase awareness and decrease demand for the highly-addictive drug. A national survey found one out of six young adults has used illicit drugs in the last month. Brain scientists now know why just one use of crystal meth (methamphetamine) can make a person feel hooked. The awareness day is an effort to send a prevention message to potential meth users. It also gets the message out about available programs to current users. In some parts of the country, meth use is increasing while in others it continues to rise. Part of the reason meth is so addictive is it increases the amount of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine occurs naturally in our brains. It affects our body’s reward centers as well as our movement, motivation, and reinforcement. It’s the impact on this area of the brain that makes methamphetamine so addictive. Beyond the short-term effects of alertness, increased physical activity, reduced or no appetite, rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure, continued use of methamphetamine has long-term health effects. risk of diseases transmitted through needles addiction extreme weight loss dental problems including tooth loss and gum disease sleeping disorders memory loss anxiety skin issues hallucinations paranoia However, there is help. Visit SAMSA to learn about the referral program. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The page is full of resources for adults, teens, and family members. There, you can find support for yourself and others who may be facing addiction. There is a way out and a life after addiction. HOW TO OBSERVE #MethAwarenessDay If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, visit one of the links on this page to find support. Whether you’re a friend or family member, there’s a program to help. Find more information at Drug Facts. Use #MethAwarenessDay to post on social media. NATIONAL METH AWARENESS DAY HISTORY In a proclamation signed by President George W. Bush in 2006, November 30th was set forth as National Meth Awareness Day. NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI DAY NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI DAY November 30, 2025 NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI DAY On November 30th, National Mississippi Day recognizes the home of the Delta blues and the 20th state to join the union. How did you learn to spell Mississippi? Was it the M-I crooked letter-crooked letter-I-crooked letter-crooked letter-I-humpback-humpback-I rhyme? Or did you keep track of the seconds by counting one Mississippi, two Mississippi? If you did, you’re not alone. Millions around the country recall doing this and other similar word associations with the name Mississippi! The Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of Mexico along the western boundary of the state and derives its name from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi which means “Great River.” It was along the Mississippi Delta that the blues developed in the middle to late 19th century. Within a few decades, blues music would slowly grow in many ways creating a crop of musicians and variety of new genres. Civil Rights Both the American Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s were uncertain, turbulent and violent times for Mississippi. Even though the Civil War brought about freedom for enslaved people, that was more than half of Mississippi’s population and the economy had been ruined. Nearly 100 years later circumstances had not much improved when Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. ignited the movement that would bring voices and faces to the story. Natchez Trace One of the most prolific features of the state is the Natchez Trace. In existence for thousands of years, this ancient pathway was beaten down by the hooves of bison. Hunting and gathering mound builders later used the path which became an ideal road for transporting goods. Today, it’s both a 444-mile scenic parkway and natural timeline through the history of three states (Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama). There are many fun and fascinating tidbits about Mississippi to explore. For example, did you know while hunting in Sharkey County, President Roosevelt came upon a bear he refused to shoot which is how we came to have the teddy bear today. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMississippiDay Join National Day Calendar as we recognize Mississippi’s historic places and discover her untold stories. Listen to America’s music while traveling all the highways and byways on National Mississippi Day! Use #NationalMississippiDay to share on social media. NATIONAL MOUSSE DAY NATIONAL MOUSSE DAY November 30, 2025 NATIONAL MOUSSE DAY On November 30th, National Mousse Day serves up a delicious treat that can be savory or sweet. What can we say about mousse? The word mousse in French means foam. Typically, we whip egg whites or cream to make a mousse. Depending on the type of mousse, its consistency can vary from light and airy to thick and creamy. This versatile dish lends itself well to both desserts and savory recipes. In fact, several types of mousse can be served at the same meal. From a smokey salmon mousse as the first course to a tart lemon or creamy chocolate mousse for dessert, there is virtually no limit to the flavors we can incorporate into a mousse. Mousse can also be used as a filling for other dishes such as pastries and parfaits. A savory mousse pairs well with fruit and cheese plates making beautiful appetizers, too. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMousseDay Enjoy some mousse. If you need a recipe, we have a Chocolate Mousse in our recipe pages. Or try one of these delicious recipes that will also fit other National Days on the calendar! Sweet Avocado Mousse Blue Cheese Mousse Salted Caramel Mousse Use #NationalMousseDay to post on social media. NATIONAL MOUSSE DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday. NATIONAL PERSONAL SPACE DAY NATIONAL PERSONAL SPACE DAY November 30, 2025 NATIONAL PERSONAL SPACE DAY National Personal Space Day on November 30th promotes kindness toward sensitivities and supports healing and self-protection by recognizing everyone’s right to decide when and how to be touched. Touch can hurt. Many Bacteria and viruses can harm. The day provides an opportunity to be aware of a person’s unspoken need for space or a gentler and welcomed touch. When you see someone wearing the peach symbol, forgo the handshake or hug and offer a smile and another way to show you care. National Personal Space Day encourages the use of the effective symbol to essentially say, “I need a little extra space today,” without awkwardness or hurt feelings. The Peach symbol kindly raises the voice of the wearer. The mission is working to change the way people show they care. After all, we are challenged in the 21st century, at a very reflective time regarding our personal space. It is also a time to allow us more understanding regarding the boundaries of others. Everyone has a story to tell of a time in their lives when they suffered from well-intentioned but unwelcome touch or closeness: whether they are healing or are challenged within a crowded work environment, are grieving, receiving chemotherapy, or simply needing more space to help protect them from harmful bacteria, viruses or other sensitivities. HOW TO OBSERVE #PersonalSpaceDay Share your story We want to hear your story. Do others intrude on your personal space? Are you or someone you love immunocompromised? Do you suffer from a chronic pain condition, anxiety, or another condition that makes touch painful? Do you fear touch from exposure to harmful bacteria or viruses? Are you a family bonding with your new wee one? Does someone in your family need a safe space? Are you a caregiver for someone who needs to avoid touch? Ar you looking for a way to explain personal space to children? Share your story on our Give Space Facebook page. Tweet or IG a picture, too! We would love to hear from you and yours. How can Give Space help? We support personal space interactive education with our children’s book, “What Do I Do With My Hugs?”. It will give them a gift of a lifetime – to protect their space while teaching empathy for the space of others The Peach symbol is on each product to signal your need for personal space. Merchandise can be found at www.givespacepeach.com for you or as a gift for a friend or your local school or church Reach out to us on the website for signage or wholesale needs Media, please contact Frank Groff @ frank@frankgroffinc.com or Carol Winner at carol@givespacepeach.com Show you care in new ways: Cook their favorite meal Run errands for them Read their favorite book to them Order delivery of groceries or a special treat NATIONAL PERSONAL SPACE DAY HISTORY Give space, operating as for the love of Peach, LLC, founded National Personal Space Day in 2019 to promote and support an awareness of personal space boundaries. Whether recovering from surgery, an illness or anxiety, the Peach symbol communicates the wearer’s need for an extended boundary. National Personal Space Day increases awareness of the symbol and provides an opportunity to alter the way we show we care. NATIONAL SECONDHAND SUNDAY NATIONAL SECONDHAND SUNDAY November 30, 2025 NATIONAL SECONDHAND SUNDAY \| Sunday after Thanksgiving The Sunday after Thanksgiving, we celebrate national Secondhand Sunday to embrace secondhand gifting, while supporting secondhand sellers and circular fashion during the peak holiday shopping season. #SecondhandSunday With the holiday shopping season in full swing, National Secondhand Sunday offers consumers a chance to embrace and reshape the perception of secondhand gifting. Today, we want to encourage everyone to consider a secondhand gift for everyone on their list. Why Shop Secondhand? Now, more than ever, there is both a need and a willingness to embrace the power of secondhand gifting. In a recent 2022 survey conducted by Morning Consult, more than 90 percent of U.S. adults are open to receiving a secondhand or resale gift this holiday season. In addition, more than half of those say they are very open to receiving something secondhand. The environmental benefits of shopping secondhand are also undeniable. Replacing just one new gift with a secondhand item has an impact on the environment. For example, gifting a vintage leather tote bag instead of purchasing a new one could save as much as 17,000 liters of water. That amount is what a single person would drink over 23 years! Join the national movement to make secondhand shopping a regular practice. In doing so, you will make choices that support individual economic empowerment, social connection, and environmental sustainability. Time for Secondhand to Shine Two out of five consumers are concerned inflation will make holiday shopping more expensive this year. Incidentally, the notion of shopping, selling, and gifting secondhand is gaining in popularity and for undeniable reasons. Some of the top reasons people choose secondhand gifts are: Supports local communities and individual sellers. Promotes environmental sustainability. Access great deals. Allows you to find unique items that may not be available on store shelves. Provides an opportunity to connect on a more personal level when you shop from individual resellers. National Secondhand Sunday is not just for shoppers. This shopping day is for sellers, too. Secondhand sellers range from the casual side-hustler who wants to supplement their income, to individuals who have turned reselling into a full-time business. Regardless of where you might fall on the reseller spectrum, the opportunity to earn extra money to pay for your holiday gifts brings this movement full circle. Benefits of Secondhand Shopping Helps to minimize the fast-fashion cycle and better the planet. Ability to find unique, one-of-a-kind items across multiple categories. Makes luxury and high-end items more accessible and affordable to shoppers. Greater variety of sizes, fits and style options. Opportunity to support individual resellers. It’s fun! Online resale companies and platforms are more popular than ever, making it easy to get started. EXPERT TIPS FOR SECONDHAND SHOPPING Learn the lingo if you are looking for high-dollar items. Researching words that identify brands names, designers, and quality material will help you narrow down your search. Take your time and look at all your options. Shopping secondhand means that you can find unique items and great deals with a little bit of hunting. Negotiate. Many secondhand stores and online secondhand platforms allow you to negotiate a price. Share your photos and videos on social media using #SecondhandSunday. FOUNDER National Day Calendar announces the founding of National Secondhand Sunday to be celebrated the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This new National Day was submitted and approved in 2022 on behalf of Poshmark, the leading social marketplace for resale and secondhand items. Poshmark has taken charge of the social marketplace by empowering sellers, while giving buyers a more sustainable and unique alternatives during the holiday season and beyond. After establishing National Secondhand Sunday, Poshmark has set out to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of choosing secondhand items during the holidays. The company is fostering the movement to instill sustainable shopping habits year-round. They chose the Sunday after Thanksgiving because it lands within range of the biggest shopping days of the holiday season–Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. In addition, Sunday is the busiest shopping day for Poshmark, so it was fitting to choose celebration of this National Day on a Sunday, too. About Poshmark Poshmark is a leading social marketplace for new and secondhand style for women, men, kids, pets, home and more. By combining the human connection of physical shopping with the scale, ease, and selection benefits of e-commerce, they are making buying and selling simple, social, and sustainable. With a community of more than 80 million registered users across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and India, Poshmark is driving the future of commerce and promoting more sustainable consumption. STAY HOME BECAUSE YOU’RE WELL DAY STAY HOME BECAUSE YOU’RE WELL DAY November 30, 2025 STAY HOME BECAUSE YOU’RE WELL DAY On November 30th, Stay Home Because You’re Well Day gives us an excuse to stay in for the day. We all need a break, and it’s nice to take it when we healthy and can enjoy it. That said, if everyone in the working world took the same day to stay home because we were well, chaos would ensue. We all need time alone. It’s essential to disconnect from our daily routines. Sometimes we have a checklist of things we would do. Others have no idea what we’d do left to our own devices. Being home when we are healthy can come with a sense of accomplishment, too. We can tackle tasks we’ve been wanting to complete for a while. It can also be an opportunity for some much-needed relaxation. Everyone sees a healthy day off differently. Use it as you see fit. HOW TO OBSERVE #StayHomeBecauseYoureWellDay Stay home because you’re well day has no agenda other than to spend a healthful day at home. What you do with it is up to you. We do have some suggestions if you are having trouble deciding what to do. Catch up on some reading. Take a walk. Get started on your Christmas cards. Follow a toddler around all day. You do feel well, remember? Take a friend to lunch. Get your calendar up to date. Try a new recipe and make extra to share with someone who wasn’t feeling well today. Take a nap Plan your next vacation. Make a list of all your single friends and match them up as potential mates. Organize all those photos on your phone. Work on an art project. Clean out your closet and donate. Stay home and use #StayHomeBecauseYoureWellDay to post on social media. STAY HOME BECAUSE YOU’RE WELL DAY HISTORY Thomas & Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays created Stay Home Because You’re Well Day There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®! • • • • • • • •

National Day Classroom 2025 . Powered by WordPress