30 National Days You Didn’t Know Existed

1. National Fruitcake Toss Day - Jan 3rd

imagesource/americanprofileKicking of the new year with this slightly bizarre tradition. People in Manitou Springs, Colorado spend their day hurling fruitcake as far as the possibly can using catapults. Catapults that are saved for this day each year. God knows how many fruitcakes are harmed in the process, but it's a lot.

2. Squirrel Appreciation Day - Jan 21st

imagesource/princewilliamlivingWhether you love them or hate them, they're extremely cute & you can't deny it. January 21st is National Squirrel Appreciation Day, so if you see one of these pesky little rodents getting about your garden, show them some love! They don't get the hate that rats do, but don't quite get enough support...

3. National Organ Donor Day - February 14th

imagesource/freepikNational Organ donation day coincides with Valentine's Day, because what better way is there to give someone your heart than, actually giving them your heart!? Organ donation is an extremely important and generous thing to do and everyone should think about doing.

4. National Panic Day - March 9th

imagesource/daysoftheyearIf you're a panic stricken person, living life on the edge or a serious meltdown, then this is your day, this is your time to shine! Celebrate your panicky personality on March 9th, but probably...well, spending the day panicking a little more. Let's all panic together - we can't wait!

5. National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day - January 25th

imagesource/daysoftheyearBubble wrap is such a good friend to us all, it's always there when we need to de-stress and take a little anxiety out on something. Although it was intended to be used as wallpaper, it became the great protector for all things fragile. Mark this special day to celebrate bubble wrap around the world.

6. National Ice Cream For Breakfast Day - February 5th

imagesource/edudwarWho doesn't love a bit of ice cream? In 1966, Florence Rappaport and her six children were stuck at home on a snowy morning, when Florence's kids were bored with nothing to do. So she allowed them to eat ice cream for breakfast. That's basically how this day began...

7. National Random Acts of Kindness Day - February 7th

imagesource/vecteezyValentine's Day is meant to be celebrated with your other half, whilst February 7th encourages people to show love to anyone they choose, it could be a complete stranger! Compliment a friend, help an old person in the supermarket or buy a co-worker a coffee to cheer their day up!

8. National Napping Day - First Monday After Winter Daylight Savings Time

imagesource/thereisadayforitSome days, all you need is midday nap, there really is nothing better than a power nap before a night out really. Well, this holiday was invented by Dr William Anthony and Camille Anthony, who wanted to share the health benefits of a 20-30 minute nap.

9. National Burrito Day - First Thursday of April

imagesource/nationaldayTaco Tuesday shares a calendar with Burrito Thursday and to honor this delicious dish, gather your favourite ingredients like chicken, pork, vegetables, rice and sour cream in a tortilla washed down with a margarita. Ooooooh tasteh tasteh.

10. National Barbershop Quartet Day - April 11th

imagesource/dreamstimeIf you're itching to become part of a barbershop quartet, then this is the day for you. National Barbershop Quartet Day was first celebrated in Oklahoma in 1938 and today about 20,000 members and 1200 quartets registered with the Barbershop Harmony Society.

11. National Garlic Day - April 19th

imagesource/thereisadayforthatNow this is a day that I can get down with. Spend your day making some garlic mash, garlic herb dip and of course, some homemade garlic bread. Garlic has some amazing health benefits, such as helping to fight cancers, lower cholesterol and high blood pressure.

12. National Wine Day - May 25th

imagesource/awarenessdayThis holiday consists of enjoying a nice bottle of wine, white, rose or red and celebrating with your closest friends (who also love a wine preferably) It's estimated that people have been drinking wine for over 9,000 years and the biggest producers of the stuff are France, Spain, Italy and the United States.

13. National Leave the Office Early Day - June 2nd

imagesource/her.ieThis holiday might not sit well with your boss, but National Leave Work Early day is meant to recognise how many Americans work 40 hour weeks in an office compared to about 29 in parts of Europe, meaning they have little time for their personal lives.

14. National Avocado Day - July 31st

imagesource/thehansindiaAnother great food for your diet, is an Avocado. This superfood is packed with Omega 3 acids, fibre and minerals and can be put on toast, crackers, turned into avocado fries or guac, because who doesn't love a bit of guac with some chips at a party?

15. National Book Lovers Day - August 9th

imagesource/100classicchallengesBook lovers out there, rejoice! It's time to take a step back from the internet, put your phone on silent and enjoy that new bestseller that you've been dying to dive in to! Pick somewhere quiet to sit, under a tree and get lost in literature.

16. National Grouch Day - October 15th

imagesource/pintrestInspired by Sesame Street's loveable curmudgeon, Oscar the Grouch, today is a day to embrace your inner grump. We don't recommend you hide in a garbage tin but why not spend the day lounging around, treat yourself to a grumpy day where no one can complain about your foul mood.

17. Red Planet Day - November 29th

imagesource/nationaltodayFor all of you out there who have a little thing of outer space, with this holiday is perfect for you! Mars, the often beloved, red planet, gets it's colour from massive amounts of iron oxide in its soil and rocks. Break out your telescopes for this holiday and look for the planet in between the stars!

18. National Bathtub Day - December 5th

imagesource/happydays365This one is for all of you out there who enjoy nothing more than a long soak in the bathtub. Whether it means enjoying some alone time with your favourite book and a soothing playlist, or having a romantic night with your significant other, this day is the perfect cure to cold weather blues!

19. National Time Travelling Day - December 8th

imagesource/nationaltodayDo you sometimes wish you could look into the future? The holiday was created in the online community, Koala Wallop, and the official rules state that you should spend the day acting like your favourite time travelling character form the past or future.

20. National Perfume Day - March 21st

imagesource/nationaltodayNational fragrance day is on March 21st every year and each year, people put their best face and fragrance on to pose for a HASHTAG smelfie. It's a wonderful day to go out and treat yourself to a nice new perfume.

21. National Junk Food Day - July 21st

imagesource/daysoftheyearNational Junk Food Day is celebrated every year on July 21st, where you can eat whatever the hell you want. Onion rings? Bacon covered fries? Chilli cheese dogs? YES please. Get yourself down to the golden arches and stuff your face.

22. National Cheesecake Day - July 30th

imagesource/nationaltodayNational Cheesecake Day is the creamiest day of the year! It's the day to indulge in your favourite dessert and sample some of the tastiest and often unique flavours. Whatever tickles your fancy, chow down on your craving.

23. World Egg Day - October 12th

imagesource/mediumWhy do we celebrate this day you ask? it all began in 1996 when the International Egg Commission decided to dedicate a day to the benefits of eggs. The second Friday of October was chosen as World Egg Day, during a meeting in Vienna, Austria.

24. National Pastry Day - December 9th

imagesource/daysoftheyearThis day celebrates all things 'pastry' and its a day for people to visit their local bakery and support small businesses. Pastry making began in Northern Europe after crusaders brought it back from the Mediterranean. French pastry chef, Antonin Careme is thought the be the original great master of pastry making.

25. National Brownie Day - December 8th

imagesource/nationaltodayBrownie lovers, this is your day! In the US, the chocolate brownie is a really favourite with the blonde brownie running in close second. Spend the day enjoying your favourite fudgy, warm brownies. Don't forget to #nationalbrownieday on social media.

26. Festival of Sleep Day - January 3rd

imagesource/calendarsandholidaysClimbing into bed and snuggling up under the covers after a long day at work is sometimes the best part of the day. The Festival of Sleep Day was encouraged so that people can enjoy time recouping and recovering, particularly after the Christmas period.

27. Penguin Awareness Day - January 20th

imagesource/daysoftheyearPenguins are adventurous creatures that are unique in many different ways. At the minute, there are 18 different species of penguin and some of them have been on this earth from more than 65 million years - which is why we should be aware of their dwindling numbers.

28. National Blonde Brownie Day - January 22nd

imagesource/ubereatsIt's said that blondes have more fun, but what about blondies? National blondie brownie day is on January 22nd and it recognises this treat that is made from brown sugar, vanilla, eggs and butter.

29. Cow Appreciation Day - July 15th

imagesource/fillyourplate1995 marked the beginning of the cow loving revolution and this day was designed to raise awareness about cows and appreciate everything they do! A lot of people dress up as cows on this day...it's a bit bizarre, but hey ho!

30. World Vegetarian Day - October 1st

imagesource/goodhousekeepingThe day is commemorated to create awareness about the benefits of being a vegetarian; like reducing the risks of heart diseases, other heart related complications as well as helping reduce the chance of a stroke. Celebrate the day by cooking your favourite vegetarian meal.