November 20 National Days

November 20, 2025 is the 325th day of the year, with 40 days remaining until the end of the year. It falls on a Thursday in the 47th week. Although November tends to have fewer observances than many other months, some dates still gather a broad collection of themes, and November 20 is one of them.

The day features 17 national and international observances that spotlight children’s rights, honor educators, address global challenges, and add balance with a few lighthearted celebrations.

Below is a list of all national days celebrated on November 20, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on November 20

Beaujolais Nouveau Day* (Third Thursday of November) celebrates the arrival of the year’s first wine from France’s Beaujolais region. The tradition began in the 19th century, when vineyard workers marked the end of the harvest by sharing young wine straight from the cellar. Its modern form took shape in 1951, when French laws changed to allow an earlier release date, and it gained international attention through the marketing of winemaker Georges Duboeuf, who helped turn the event into a global celebration. At exactly 12:01 a.m., producers release a fresh, fruit-forward wine made from Gamay grapes using a fast fermentation process.

🍷 Explore 70 days dedicated exclusively to wine plus four full weeks.

Great American Smokeout* (Third Thursday of November) encourages people who smoke to put down cigarettes for a full day and take the first step toward quitting for good. Its roots stretch back to early local efforts—such as Arthur P. Mullaney’s 1970 call for a one-day quit challenge in Massachusetts and similar campaigns in Minnesota—before the American Cancer Society launched the first statewide Smokeout in California in 1976 and made it a national event the following year. The observance promotes healthier choices, raises awareness about the dangers of smoking, and connects individuals with support and resources that can help them move toward a smoke-free future.

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Guinness World Records Day* (Third Thursday in November) celebrates human achievement in all its surprising, creative, and record-breaking forms. First held in 2004, the observance marks the moment The Guinness Book of Records became the best-selling copyrighted book of all time. The idea for the book dates back to 1951, when Sir Hugh Beaver of the Guinness Brewery wanted a fun and reliable way to settle pub debates about facts and figures. He enlisted twins Norris and Ross McWhirter to compile the first edition, published in 1955. Today, Guinness World Records Day encourages people around the world to attempt new records, showcase extraordinary skills, and celebrate the limits of human potential.

Future Teachers of America Day celebrates students who plan to become educators and recognizes the important role they will play in shaping future generations. Rooted in the mid-20th-century Future Teachers of America program created by the National Education Association, the observance is now supported by organizations that offer mentorship, training, and classroom experience to aspiring teachers. The day highlights the need for dedicated educators, especially as many regions face teacher shortages, and encourages more young people to consider a career in teaching.

International Hug A Runner Day / Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day (G.O.H.A.R.D.) encourages everyone to show appreciation for the commitment running requires, celebrate personal milestones, and recognize the health benefits the sport brings. Created in 2010 by Ashley L. Arnold of the Pavement Runner blog and fellow enthusiasts, the observance invites people to acknowledge runners of all kinds—athletes, beginners, coaches, volunteers, and race organizers.

Name Your PC Day is a playful reminder of how much time we spend with our computers. As home PCs became common in the early 2000s, people started giving them names the same way some name their cars or plants. The day encourages adding a personal touch to the device you rely on for work, school, and everyday tasks. It’s a small, fun way to make technology feel a bit more friendly and familiar.

🚗 The observance is similar in spirit to Name Your Car Day on October 2.

National Absurdity Day encourages people to look at everyday life from a more playful and unconventional angle. Its founder is unknown, but the observance has grown popular as a way to break routine and challenge the idea that everything must be serious or perfectly logical. The day highlights how absurdity—seen in surreal art, quirky memes, unexpected conversations, or bizarre headlines—can spark curiosity, boost creativity, and relieve stress.

National Children’s Grief Awareness Day* (Third Thursday in November) brings attention to the needs of children and teenagers coping with the death of someone close to them. Created in 2008 by the Highmark Caring Place in Pennsylvania, the idea came from students who wanted their grieving classmates to feel seen and supported. The timing—right before the holiday season—reflects how difficult this period can be for young people dealing with loss. The day encourages communities to learn how grief affects children, understand the signs that a child may be struggling, and offer compassionate, practical support. It aims to reduce isolation, remind grieving children that their feelings matter, and help adults create environments where young people feel safe to talk, remember, and heal.

National Pay Back Your Parents Day (November 20) is a reminder to appreciate the money and support parents often give long after childhood. Created in 2011 by Credit Karma, the day encourages young adults to think about everything from small borrowed amounts to bigger help like rent, groceries, or school costs. It promotes open conversations about money, responsibility, and gratitude. People use the day to repay a debt, treat their parents to something meaningful, or simply acknowledge the support that has helped them get where they are today.

National Peanut Butter Fudge Day celebrates a dessert many people associate with comfort, holidays, and childhood. Fudge first appeared in the United States in the late 1800s, and cooks later began adding peanut butter as it became widely available and affordable in the early 20th century. The result is the creamy, sweet, nutty treat people still enjoy today.

National Rural Health Day* (Third Thursday of November) highlights the growing movement of businesses that use their profits to drive social or environmental progress. Created by Social Enterprise UK and expanded internationally after 2017 through partnerships such as the one with the British Council, the observance later became part of Global Entrepreneurship Week to reach a broader audience. The day shows how social enterprises operate by applying business skills to challenges like inequality, climate change, and community well-being, proving that commercial success and social impact can work together.

Social Enterprise Day* (Third Thursday of November) highlights the global movement of businesses that use their profits to create positive social or environmental change. Established by Social Enterprise UK and expanded internationally after 2017 through partnerships with groups like the British Council, the observance now sits within Global Entrepreneurship Week to give the message wider reach. The day explains how social enterprises work—using business tools to address issues such as inequality, climate change, and community well-being.

Transgender Day of Remembrance honors transgender people who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence. Founded in 1999 by advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith, the observance began as a candlelight vigil for Rita Hester, a transgender woman murdered in Massachusetts the previous year. Smith created the day to acknowledge the lives lost, draw attention to the often-ignored reality of violence against transgender people, and ensure that victims are remembered with dignity.

Use Less Stuff Day* (Third Thursday of November) encourages people to look more closely at what they buy and discard, especially as the holiday season begins. Co-founded in the 1990s by Bob Lilienfeld and Robert Nevel of the Use Less Stuff Report, the observance promotes practical habits that reduce waste—choosing durable products, skipping unnecessary packaging, repairing what you already have, and pausing before making new purchases. Thoughtful consumption lightens environmental impact, cuts household clutter, and often saves money, making the day a timely prompt to use resources with more intention.

World Children’s Day (sometimes also called Universal Children’s Day and National Children’s Day) is a United Nations observance created in 1954 to promote children’s rights, safety, and well-being worldwide. The date honors the UN’s adoption of the Declaration and Convention on the Rights of the Child, two key documents that set global expectations for education, protection, healthcare, and dignity. The observance invites governments, communities, and families to strengthen their commitment to giving every child the chance to grow, learn, and thrive.

World Pancreatic Cancer Day* (Third Thursday of November) was established in 2014 by the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, a global network formed to improve awareness and outcomes for this aggressive disease. The observance explains why pancreatic cancer is often detected late, outlines symptoms that tend to be subtle, and highlights current challenges in diagnosis and treatment. It also acknowledges the experiences of patients and caregivers while encouraging continued research and collaboration among organizations worldwide. Through education and visibility, the day supports efforts to improve survival rates and strengthen community understanding.

World Philosophy Day* (Third Thursday of November) was created by UNESCO to highlight how useful philosophical thinking can be in everyday life. The observance encourages people to slow down, question assumptions, and look at familiar issues from fresh perspectives. It also supports conversations across cultures, helping communities understand one another with more depth and patience. By celebrating curiosity and reflective thinking, the day shows how thoughtful dialogue can guide better choices and strengthen connections in society.

National Days in November

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