Featured Image: Photo © Keith Allison
August 24th, known as Kobe Bryant Day or ‘Mamba Day’, is dedicated to celebrating the life, legacy, and indomitable spirit of one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Kobe Bryant. This day, recognized annually, serves as a time for fans, communities, and the sports world to reflect on Kobe’s immense impact both on and off the court. The day was initially designated by the City of Los Angeles in 2016, shortly after Kobe retired from the NBA, as a way to honor his contributions to the city and his remarkable career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The date, 8/24, was chosen to symbolize the two jersey numbers—8 and 24—that Kobe wore during his 20 years with the Lakers.
Kobe Bryant Day had been celebrated in Los Angeles since 2016 to honor his contributions to the city. However, after the tragic helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, which took the lives of Kobe, his daughter Gianna, and seven others, the day took on even greater significance. In response to his passing, Orange County also declared August 24th as Kobe Bryant Day in 2020, ensuring it remains a time to honor his legacy and impact.
On Kobe Bryant Day, various events are held in Los Angeles and beyond, including basketball tournaments, youth clinics, and community service projects that reflect Kobe’s passion for sports and philanthropy. In 2024, one of the highlights of the festivities was the 2nd annual Mamba League Invitational, where the nation’s top high school basketball talents competed against each other.
Kobe Bryant Day is more than just a day to remember him; it’s a celebration of the values he represented—hard work, dedication, and the belief that anyone can achieve greatness if they work for it. By observing this day each year, we keep Kobe’s spirit alive, inspiring people to chase their dreams with the same drive and passion he had.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
