October 30 National Days

October 30 is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 62 days remaining until the year’s end. Falling on a Thursday in 2025, it arrives just one day before Halloween 🎃—a time when many observances take on eerie, mysterious, or reflective themes.

The day highlights the spooky fun of Haunted Refrigerator Night and National Wicked Day, along with the thoughtful observance of Create a Great Funeral Day, which encourages reflection on life and legacy.

Here’s a closer look at the special days happening on October 30, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on October 30

Adoptee Remembrance Day brings attention to the often unseen struggles within the adoption experience. Founded in 2020 by Pamela Karanova, creator of Adoptees Connect, the observance honors adoptees who have lost their lives to suicide, abuse, deportation, or lack of citizenship. It offers a moment to recognize that adoption can carry both love and loss, hope and heartbreak. Placed just before National Adoption Awareness Month, the day challenges the idea that adoption is only a happy story, giving space to acknowledge the trauma, grief, and resilience of adoptees whose voices are too often unheard.

Create a Great Funeral Day / National Plan a Funeral Day, founded in 1999 by author Stephanie West Allen, was created to help people start conversations about end-of-life planning. The idea is to think ahead about funeral arrangements so families are not left making difficult choices during a time of grief. The observance encourages people to express their wishes in advance, which reduces emotional stress, prevents financial confusion, and ensures those wishes are respected. It also promotes open discussion within families, turning an often-avoided topic into a thoughtful act of care and consideration.

Haunted Refrigerator Night was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays & Herbs, a couple known for inventing many light-hearted and unusual observances. The day uses humor to turn an ordinary household chore into something fun by imagining neglected leftovers and expired foods as spooky “hauntings” inside the fridge. It playfully reminds people that even everyday spaces can become a little scary when ignored for too long, making this observance both a laugh and a gentle nudge toward cleanliness before the holiday season begins.

🫧 Don’t forget, there’s a similar holiday called National Clean Out Your Fridge Day on November 15th, which provides another chance to tackle any lingering fridge horrors!

Mine Rescue Day honors the courageous men and women who risk their lives to save miners during underground emergencies. The observance was officially established in 2013 by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to recognize these highly trained volunteers and their vital role in protecting miners. The date connects to a key moment in mining history—the first national mine rescue demonstration organized by Dr. Joseph A. Holmes in 1911. The day reminds the public of the dangers miners face and the ongoing importance of safety, teamwork, and preparedness in one of the world’s most demanding professions.

Mischief Night is an old custom that takes place in some regions as a playful lead-up to Halloween. The tradition began in 18th-century England, where children and young people used the evening for tricks and pranks on neighbors. Over time, it spread to parts of North America, especially the northeastern United States and Canada. The name and customs differ by region—some call it Devil’s Night, Cabbage Night, or Goosey Night. The idea behind it is youthful mischief rather than real harm, reflecting a time when communities allowed a little harmless chaos before the holiday celebrations began.

National Bandanna Day 🇦🇺🇳🇿* (Last Thursday of October, Australia and New Zealand) was established by Canteen Australia to support young people affected by cancer. The day raises both funds and awareness for those aged 12 to 25 who are living with cancer themselves or have a family member diagnosed with it. Wearing or selling bandannas symbolizes solidarity and helps fund free counseling, peer programs, and educational support provided by Canteen.

National Candy Corn Day celebrates the small, tri-colored candy that has become a Halloween icon. First made in the 1880s by George Renninger and later mass-produced by the Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly), candy corn was inspired by America’s farming past. Its kernel shape and colors connected it to harvest season. Though people either love or dislike its sugary taste, candy corn continues to symbolize tradition and remains a seasonal treat.

National Checklist Day celebrates a tool so simple that it’s easy to overlook—and yet it has transformed how people stay safe, organized, and focused. The idea of using a checklist took hold after a 1935 plane crash showed that even expert pilots could forget crucial steps under pressure. When test pilots introduced written checklists, it not only made flying safer but also inspired other professions to follow their example. Today, checklists guide surgeons, builders, teachers, and anyone juggling busy lives. The observance reminds us that writing things down is not a sign of weakness—it’s a way to think clearly, stay accountable, and turn chaos into calm.

🖨️ This day is also a great opportunity to explore all the free printables available on DigitalHygge.

National Publicist Day recognizes the professionals who shape how the public sees companies, brands, and public figures. It marks an important moment in communication history that began in 1906, when Ivy Lee—often called the father of modern public relations—issued the first corporate press release after a Pennsylvania Railroad accident. His transparent approach helped establish trust between businesses and the public, creating the foundation for modern PR. The observance was officially founded in 2015 by Jordanna Stephen of APARTMENT|SEVEN to honor the people who continue that legacy by managing information, building reputations, and guiding how stories are told in today’s media-driven world.

National Speak Up For Service Day honors the positive impact young people make through community service and volunteer work. Established by the Mandan Lions Club of North Dakota and first observed in 2014, the day shines a light on youth who give their time and energy to improve their communities—often without much recognition. It grew from the Lions Club’s “Speak Up For Service” public speaking contest, created in 2003 to honor social worker Laura Christensen Espejo. Beyond celebrating volunteerism, the observance encourages young people to use their voices, build leadership skills, and inspire others to get involved in meaningful service.

National Text Your Ex Day explores the complex emotions that come with past relationships in the age of instant communication. It started as an internet trend in the early 2010s but has since taken on a deeper meaning for many people. The observance reflects how technology keeps our connections alive even after relationships end—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. It reminds us that reaching out to an ex can open doors to reflection, forgiveness, or understanding, but also that not every message needs to be sent.

National Treat Your Pet Day was founded in 2021 by Dr. Marty Pets to honor the special bond between people and their animals. The day encourages pet owners to show love and appreciation through extra attention and care. It also reminds us that treats and affection strengthen trust and deepen the companionship that pets bring into daily life.

National UPlift Someone Day focuses on spreading kindness and positivity in everyday life. Founded in 2024 by UP Entertainment, the parent company of UPtv, the observance marks the network’s 20th anniversary and extends its mission of sharing uplifting messages beyond television. The day reminds people that small, thoughtful actions—like offering encouragement, helping a neighbor, or sharing kind words—can have a powerful ripple effect. It serves as a call to bring more light and optimism into a world that often feels weighed down by negativity.

National Wicked Day celebrates the Broadway musical Wicked, which retells the story of the Witches of Oz from a new perspective. In the original Wizard of Oz story, the witches are labeled as “good” and “wicked,” but this musical looks deeper, showing how friendship, choices, and misunderstanding shape their lives. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel and first performed in 2003, Wicked became a global success for its powerful music and message about empathy and acceptance.

World Audio Drama Day celebrates the power of storytelling through sound. Founded in 2012 by Sibby Wieland, the observance honors the craft that turns words, voices, and sound effects into vivid worlds inside the listener’s imagination. The date commemorates Orson Welles’ famous 1938 broadcast of The War of the Worlds, which showed how audio alone could captivate—and even startle—an audience. The day reminds us that long before screens and streaming, stories were told through voices and soundscapes, proving that imagination remains the most powerful stage of all.

National Days in October

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