November 28 National Days

November 28, 2025, is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years), with 32 days remaining. Falling on a Friday in the 48th week, today features 15 national day observances, many of which connect to Thanksgiving through themes of togetherness, gratitude, food, and family traditions. The day brings together a mix of cultural celebrations, historical moments, and health-focused reminders.

Below is a list of all national and international days celebrated on November 28, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on November 28

Black Friday* (Day After Thanksgiving) marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. The term originally described the heavy traffic and crowded streets that appeared each year, later evolving into a retail event known for large discounts and early-morning store openings. Today it spans both in-store and online shopping, with many businesses using the day to launch major sales and shoppers using it to plan holiday budgets and purchases.

Brown Friday* (Day After Thanksgiving) is the name plumbers use for the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, a day when their workload reaches its peak. The term originated within the plumbing industry to describe the surge in service calls caused by clogged drains, overloaded garbage disposals, and backed-up toilets. The combination of heavy cooking, greasy leftovers, and extra household guests after the holiday meal creates a perfect storm for plumbing problems, making this one of the busiest days of the year for the trade.

Buy Nothing Day* (Day After Thanksgiving) was founded in 1992 by Canadian artist Ted Dave. The day asks people to pause their shopping for 24 hours and reflect on the environmental, social, and economic effects of constant consumption. Supported by Adbusters, the movement encourages people to rethink what they buy, why they buy it, and how everyday purchasing habits shape the world around them.

Fur-Free Friday* (Last Friday in November) began in the mid-1980s through the efforts of U.S. animal-rights activists, including Trans Species Unlimited and the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade. The movement calls on shoppers and retailers to turn away from real fur and choose ethical, cruelty-free options instead. It highlights the suffering behind fur production and promotes more humane fashion practices.

International Systems Engineer Day* (Last Friday of November) recognizes the people who design, integrate, and manage the complex systems that keep modern life running smoothly. Created in 2012 by Nicholas Fourie and his colleagues in South Africa, the day highlights the work behind everything from spacecraft and robotics to transportation, energy, and digital networks. It helps people understand how systems engineers bring many parts together so technology and infrastructure function safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Maize Day* (Day After Thanksgiving), established in 2004 by artist Corinne Lightweaver, encourages reflection on the season through an Indigenous perspective. It highlights how central maize has been to life across the Americas for thousands of years, shaping food traditions, community bonds, and everyday survival long before European contact. It also draws attention to corn’s continued role as a symbol of resilience, cultural identity, and connection to the land in both historical and contemporary life.

National Day of Listening* (Day After Thanksgiving), founded in 2008 by the nonprofit StoryCorps, encourages people to use the quiet moments of the holiday weekend to record conversations with family members, friends, or community elders. StoryCorps launched the observance to help preserve personal and family histories, highlight everyday experiences, and build stronger connections across generations. Over the years, the organization has gathered tens of thousands of recorded interviews, demonstrating how conversations can deepen understanding and safeguard memories for the future.

👂 Similar days: World Listening Day on July 18 and International Day of Listening on the Third Thursday in September.

National French Toast Day celebrates a breakfast dish with origins reaching back to ancient Rome, where cooks revived stale bread by soaking it in milk and eggs. Over the centuries, many cultures developed their own versions, making French toast a familiar food around the world. Ut remains popular because it is simple to make, works with many ingredients, and tastes good in both sweet and savory versions.

National Flossing Day* (Day After Thanksgiving) was established in 2000 by the National Flossing Council to promote daily flossing as a key part of oral hygiene. Its timing encourages people to give extra attention to their teeth after a holiday meal filled with sticky, sugary, or fibrous foods. The observance explains that brushing reaches only part of each tooth, while flossing clears plaque from areas a toothbrush cannot reach, helping reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities and supporting healthier gums overall.

National Illustration Day* (Last Friday in November) draws attention to how visual art helps people understand ideas quickly and clearly. Founded in 2023 by the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, the day draws attention to the images we see in books, ads, signs, apps, and packaging—artwork that guides us, teaches us, and adds meaning to everyday experiences. It also honors the illustrators who bring these images to life and whose creativity shapes the way we learn, communicate, and make sense of the world.

National Native American Heritage Day* (Day After Thanksgiving) highlights the contributions of American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Although early calls for recognition appeared in the early 1900s, the day took its current form after federal legislation passed in 2008 and 2009. Its placement after Thanksgiving draws attention to the long presence of Native peoples on this land and the role their knowledge played in early interactions with settlers. The observance falls within National Native American Heritage Month and encourages people to explore Native traditions and contemporary experiences.

Red Planet Day marks the 1964 launch of NASA’s Mariner 4, the first spacecraft to complete a successful flyby of Mars. The mission returned the earliest close-up images of the Martian surface and reshaped scientific expectations by revealing a cold, cratered landscape rather than the Earth-like world many once imagined. The observance encourages interest in planetary science and highlights how this breakthrough mission paved the way for decades of Mars exploration that continue today.

Sinkie Day* (Day After Thanksgiving) began in 1991 to recognize a playful way some people enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers—standing at the kitchen sink. After a big holiday meal, many reach for quick, no-fuss plates like turkey sandwiches, extra sides, or a slice of pie, and the sink offers a practical spot for a small bite without adding to the cleanup.

You’re Welcome-giving Day* (Day After Thanksgiving) was created in 1977 by Richard Ankli of Ann Arbor, Michigan. It encourages people to reply to gratitude with a genuine “you’re welcome,” a phrase that brings warmth to everyday conversations. While Thanksgiving centers on giving thanks, this observance highlights the courteous reply that completes the exchange and keeps interactions thoughtful and kind.

National Days in November

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