Have you ever heard of National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day or National Do a Grouch a Favor Day? What are these days and where did they come from?  Sometimes national days are created by presidential proclamation or a resolution in the House or Senate. But most of these unusual and unique days originate and are shared with the public by the online calendar, “National Day Calendar®”. This website started by introducing National Popcorn Day in 2013. Their online calendar tracks the National Days, National Weeks, National Months, and International Days. 

Founder of the National Day Calendar, Marlo Anderson, started the website as a blog about national days. There are close to 2000 national days each year. You may notice that there is an abundance of national food days. More than any other national day. National food days are well popularized over social media. There are over 175 food or drink national days.

Some of the calendar’s national days are created by essentially anyone that wants to.  There is an online form where people can submit their ideas for a national day. Anderson says they get more than 18,000 idea submissions every year. The submitted days are voted on by a committee.
There are many national names for the month of February but the most common include:

National Black History Month

National Cancer Prevention Month

Humpback Whale Awareness Month

February 1st- 

• National Freedom Day

American military officer Richard R. Wright Senior created National Freedom Day which was recognized and signed by President Harry Truman one year after Major Wright died. February 1st was chosen to highlight the day in which President Abraham Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment. This Amendment outlawed slavery in the United States in 1865.

• National Dark Chocolate Day

February 2nd- 

• Groundhog Day

A familiar holiday to most, Groundhog Day is an old legend which is still known as an indicator of whether winter will continue for six more weeks or spring will come early.  This is announced by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. This group waits for the famous groundhog, “Phil”, to leave his burrow. If he is frightened by his shadow and returns to his burrow then winter is due for six more weeks. If he doesn’t, spring is expected to arrive early.

• National Tater Tot Day

February 3rd-

• Bubble Gum Day
• National Women Physicians Day

In 2016, President Obama honored women physicians with the day February 3rd. This is the birthday of the first woman to receive her medical degree in the U.S., Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. 

• National Carrot Cake Day

February 4th-

• National Homemade Soup Day
• National Thank a Mail Carrier Day

February 5th-

• World Nutella Day

Pastry Maker, Pietro Ferrero made a delicious paste containing hazelnuts and cocoa which he called “Giandujot”. The Ferrero Company was founded in 1946. Ferrero made the paste into a spreadable form in 1951 which we now recognize as “Nutella”.

• National Weatherperson’s Day

February 5th honors meteorologists, weather forecasters, broadcast meteorologists, and others who work in the weather field. This holiday recognizes one of America’s first weather observers who was born on this day in 1744.

February 6th-

• National Chopsticks Day
• National Frozen Yogurt Day

February 7th- 

• National Periodic Table Day
• National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
• National Send a Card to a Friend Day

This holiday was made to celebrate sending kindness through the mail. Our generation is in a digital era so sending a handwritten letter to a friend shows that you really care about them.  

February 8th-

• National Iowa Day

That’s right! February has a day just for Iowans. This day celebrates all of the cool features in Iowa and what Iowan’s are known for. Cornfields, small towns, exciting attractions and events. Did you know that Iowa has over 400 bowling alleys? 

• National Kite Flying Day
• National Boy Scouts Day

February 9th- 

• National Pizza Day
• National Toothache Day

February 10th-

• National Cream Cheese Brownie Day
• National Umbrella Day

February 11th- 

• National Inventors Day

This day celebrates architects, creators, and designers that shape our way of life. Imagine living without electricity, stairs, bridges, buttons, zippers and more. The importance of these inventors and their inventions is honored on this day and encourages future inventors to have more amazing ideas.

• National Peppermint Patty Day
• National White T-Shirt Day
• National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day

Despite its humorous name, National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day has a positive meaning behind it. You may have heard this phrase from a parent when you accidentally knocked over your glass at the dinner table. This day is a reminder to look on the bright side and stress less when something small happens. Like when you spill your milk; it’s not a big deal just keep a positive attitude and keep moving forward.

• National Make a Friend Day

February 12th-

• National Plum Pudding Day

February 13th-

• Galentines Day

This day is a day for the gals. It is celebrated the day before Valentine’s Day. It’s a day to hangout with your girlfriends and celebrate always being there for eachother. It brings women together for being supportive companions especially when you don’t have a valentine of your own.

• National Cheddar Day

February 14th- 

• Valentines Day
• National Cream Filled Chocolates Day
• National Ferris Wheel Day
• National Organ Donor Day

National Organ Donor Day hopes to spread awareness about organ donation. Over 120,000 people in the U.S. are hoping for an organ donation to save their life. At any time you may be eligible to donate blood, platelets, tissue, marrow, and some organs. Though most of the time organs are donated upon death. This day was created by the Saturn Corporation and United Auto Workers, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and many nonprofit health organizations. Organ Donors save lives.

February 15th-

• Singles Awareness Day

A reminder that it is okay to be single. Being right after valentine’s day shows that you are doing just fine without a significant other. There is lot’s of benefits to being single. Singles tend to be more independent and can focus on themselves and their own goals. This day is a reminder to have self love and take advantage of your independent freedom.

• National Gumdrop Day

February 16th-

• National Do a Grouch a Favor Day

This day is an opportunity to make someone’s day better. Being a “grouch” can mean many things. It could mean someone who is always in a bad mood or someone that has been having a bad day or two. You can change their attitude by doing something small to make their day. 

• National Almond Day

February 17th-

• National Cabbage Day
• National Random Acts of Kindness Day

February 17th is another call to kindness this month. When you do something kind it’s like a chain reaction. It makes other people feel good and it makes you feel good. It also makes others want to spread kindness and do something kind for someone else!

February 18th- 

• National Battery Day

February 19th- 

• National Lash Day
• National Chocolate Mint Day

February 20th-

• National Leadership Day

The 20th is national leadership day. This celebrates and encourages leaders of all kinds. Leaders are important. They stand up with confidence and set an example for others. Many things are able to happen with the help of strong leaders. The U.S., Schools, Jobs, Sports, Clubs, and more.

• National Comfy Day
• National Muffin Day
• National Love Your Pet Day

This day focuses on appreciation for our pets. They have always been there for us to bring joy, comfort, and a loving companion. On this day show your appreciation and give your pet extra attention and love. Give your pet a treat, play with your pet, show your pet you love them. They deserve it!

February 21st-

• National Sticky Bun Day

February 22nd-

• National Supermarket Employee Day

February 23rd-

• National Dog Biscuit Day
• National Banana Bread Day

February 24th-

• National Tortilla Chip Day

February 25th-

• National Chocolate Covered Nut Day

February 26th-

• National Letter to an Elder Day

A heartwarming day that reminds us to show our loved ones that we are thinking of them. All it takes is a pen, paper, and some time to brighten up their day. They would love to hear from you with a simple letter. 

• National Set a Good Example Day
• National Tell a Fairy Tale Day

Legends, myths, and stories from long ago have adapted into today’s fairy tales. These tales have been known to teach lessons and gain wisdom by story telling. I’m sure you’ve heard of “The Ugly Duckling” or “The Little Mermaid”. These stories were told differently in the past because there have been thousands of versions written over time.

• National Pistachio Day

February 27th-

• National Retro Day
• National Polar Bear Day
• National Strawberry Day

February 28th-

• National Chocolate Souffle Day
• National Tooth Fairy Day
• National Floral Design Day
• National Public Sleeping Day 

Today is the day where it’s okay to nap wherever you please. The beach, the mall, or even the park. The creator of this national day is unknown but this holiday has been celebrated since 2011.

This National Day calendar shows that there is always something to celebrate everyday.

If you were to create a national day what would it be and which day would you choose?