National & International Days on March 15, 2026
Below are brief explanations of each observance celebrated on March 15.
Buzzards Day
Buzzards Day celebrates the annual return of turkey vultures to Hinckley, Ohio, a reliable sign of spring. The tradition began in 1957 when a local patrolman noticed the birds always returned on the same date. His published observation drew nearly 9,000 visitors, catching the town off guard and sparking the now-traditional pancake breakfast.
Dumbstruck Day
Dumbstruck Day celebrates those moments when you’re so surprised, shocked, or awed that you’re left completely speechless. Consider it permission to be caught off guard without embarrassment.
Espresso Martini Day
Espresso Martini Day celebrates the cocktail combining espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur into one drink. Created in the 1980s by renowned London bartender Dick Bradsell, it was reportedly made for a customer—rumored to be a famous model—who requested a drink that would “wake me up and then mess me up.” The espresso martini has since gained worldwide popularity and is enjoyed in various forms, often featuring Kahlúa or Tia Maria as the coffee liqueur component.
Ides of March
Ides of March marks the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. by a group of senators led by Brutus and Cassius. The date became a symbol of betrayal and political treachery, immortalized by Shakespeare’s famous warning: “Beware the Ides of March.”
International Day Against Police Brutality
International Day Against Police Brutality was established in 1997 by the Collective Opposed to Police Brutality in Montreal and the Black Flag group in Switzerland. It raises awareness about excessive use of force by law enforcement and calls for greater accountability and transparency in policing.
International Day of Action Against Canadian Seal Slaughter
International Day of Action Against Canadian Seal Slaughter was founded in 2004 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare to protest Canada’s annual commercial seal hunt, one of the largest marine mammal hunts in the world. The day raises awareness about the killing of young harp seals primarily for their fur, and calls for stronger protections for marine life.
International Eat an Animal for PETA Day
International Eat an Animal for PETA Day was created in 2003 by writer Meryl Yourish as a protest against PETA after the organization ran an ad campaign comparing animal slaughter to the Holocaust. Participants mark the day by eating meat or other animal products in direct defiance of PETA’s messaging.
International Redefining Wealth Day
International Redefining Wealth Day was founded by personal finance expert and author Patrice Washington to challenge the idea that wealth is purely financial. It encourages people to measure prosperity by well-being, purpose, and fulfillment instead.
National Everything You Think is Wrong Day
National Everything You Think is Wrong Day is a lighthearted reminder that none of us is always right. The idea is to pause your usual certainties for a day, question your assumptions, and stay open to being wrong. Bonus points for avoiding the words “I think.”
National Kansas Day
National Kansas Day celebrates Kansas, the Sunflower State and the 34th state to join the Union in 1861. Known for its vast wheat fields, Kansas is one of the country’s leading agricultural states and Wichita remains a major hub of aviation manufacturing. Founded in 2017 by National Day Calendar as part of a series honoring each state in the order they joined the Union. Kansas Day is also celebrated on January 29 which is essentially the state’s birthday.
National Peanut Lovers Day
National Peanut Lovers Day is a celebration of one of the world’s most popular legumes. Despite the name, peanuts are not actually nuts as they belong to the legume family, alongside peas and lentils. Native to South America, peanuts are now cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and enjoyed in countless forms, from roasted snacks to peanut butter.
🥜 There are several national days dedicated to peanuts and peanut butter! Some of the most notable include National Peanut Butter Day on January 24 and National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day on March 1.
National Pears Hélène Day
National Pears Hélène Day celebrates a classic French dessert: poached pears served with vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate sauce. The dish is attributed to Auguste Escoffier, created around 1864 and named after Jacques Offenbach’s operetta La Belle Hélène, which was a sensation in Paris at the time.
National Shoe the World Day
National Shoe the World Day was founded in 2014 by Donald Zsemonadi and the United Indigenous People in Fontana, California, to raise awareness about the over 500 million people worldwide who have no shoes, leaving them vulnerable to injury, infection, and social exclusion. The day encourages donating footwear to those in need.
National Voice Over Day
National Voice Over Day or National VO Day was created by the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA)to celebrate the professionals whose voices bring animated characters, audiobooks, video games, and commercials to life. It’s a nod to a craft that audiences rarely notice but constantly rely on.
True Confessions Day
True Confessions Day was founded by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays in 2016. It encourages people to share secrets or admit mistakes (small or serious) for the relief that honesty can bring.
World Consumer Rights Day
World Consumer Rights Day was launched by Consumers International in 1983, inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 address to Congress in which he became the first world leader to formally define consumer rights. The day raises awareness about fair treatment in the marketplace and pushes for stronger protections against unsafe products, misleading advertising, and corporate misconduct.
World Contact Day
World Contact Day was established in 1953 by Albert K. Bender and his International Flying Saucer Bureau, whose members attempted to collectively beam a telepathic message into space inviting aliens to visit Earth in peace. The bureau is long gone, but the day lives on among UFO enthusiasts and anyone who likes to wonder whether we are alone in the universe.
World Essential Workers Day
World Essential Workers Day honors the people who keep society running such as healthcare workers, emergency responders, sanitation workers, and others in critical roles. The day grew out of the COVID-19 pandemic, which put a spotlight on those who showed up to work regardless of the risks.
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