December 2 National Days

December 2, 2025, is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years), leaving 29 days until the end of the year. It falls on a Tuesday in the 49th week and brings 13 national and international observances.

The date highlights themes such as pet adoption, digital literacy, environmental protection, and human rights, offering a wide range of meaningful ways to engage and learn.

Below is a list of all national and international days celebrated on December 2, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on December 2

Business of Popping Corn Day honors the invention that made large-scale popcorn sales possible. In 1885, Chicago inventor Charles Cretors introduced the first commercial oil popcorn popper. Before this, people used small wire boxes over open flames, which produced uneven results. Cretors’ steam-powered machine handled the work automatically, created consistent batches, and used a whistle to catch attention. When he debuted a mobile version at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, popcorn wagons spread quickly through city streets and helped turn popcorn into a popular snack at fairs, parks, and theaters.

🍿 Other popcorn-themed holidays are: National Popcorn Day on January 19th and National Popcorn Lover’s Day on Second Thursday in March.

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery marks the 1949 adoption of a United Nations treaty designed to stop the trafficking and exploitation of people. The observance focuses on ending modern forms of slavery, which still affect millions of people worldwide. These include human trafficking, forced labor, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, dangerous child labor, and the use of children in armed conflict. The day reminds people that slavery did not end in the past and remains a major human rights concern today.

National Anytime Hawaiian Day was founded in 2020 by the Anytime Hawaiian Restaurant Group to celebrate the culture and spirit of the Hawaiian Islands. The observance encourages people everywhere to enjoy Hawaiian traditions, foods, music, and values, even if they live far from Hawaii.

National Build Joy Day began in 2020 when homebuilder Taylor Morrison expanded a company program into a nationwide observance. The idea started in 2017, when employees helped people by building, repairing, or supporting local projects. The day encourages people to do something helpful that improves someone’s day—lending a hand, fixing something, or backing a local effort. It centers on creating joy through actions people can see and feel, not just through messages or awareness.

National Fritters Day celebrates a popular dish with variations found in nearly every cuisine around the world, from crisp vegetable versions to sweet fruit ones.

National Fritters Day

National Day of Giving / Giving Tuesday* (Tuesday after Thanksgiving) is a global day of generosity that follows Thanksgiving and the major shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Created in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation, it encourages people to support their communities, donate to meaningful causes, and take part in acts of kindness that strengthen connections worldwide.

National Mutt Day, observed twice a year on July 31 and December 2, encourages the adoption of mixed-breed dogs and celebrates their loyalty and unique features. It was founded in 2005 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige to raise awareness about the millions of mixed-breed dogs in shelters waiting for loving homes. Mutts may not come with pedigrees, but they offer just as much love and companionship as purebreds.

National Mutt Day

National Special Education Day marks the anniversary of President Gerald Ford signing the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975, the law that later became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Formally recognized in 2005 for IDEA’s 30th anniversary, the day highlights the progress made in ensuring that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education. It also acknowledges the students, educators, families, and advocates who work every day to support inclusive learning and equal opportunities.

Play Basketball Day encourages people to get on the court and enjoy the game. It is part of a broader group of basketball-themed observances, including National Basketball Day on November 6 and World Basketball Day on December 21, each recognizing the sport’s origins and worldwide influence.

Safety Razor Day highlights how the safety razor transformed shaving by making it easier and safer to do at home. Early guarded razors appeared in the 18th and 19th centuries, but the breakthrough came in 1904 when King C. Gillette introduced a design with thin, replaceable blades. This simple idea made daily shaving more practical, and safety razors remain popular today for their precision, low waste, and long-term affordability.

World Computer Literacy Day was created in 2001 by the Indian company NIIT to draw attention to the gap between people who have access to digital skills and those who do not. Its purpose is to encourage basic computer knowledge in communities that have fewer resources, with a focus on women and young learners. By improving digital skills, people gain better chances for employment, easier access to information and services, and a stronger ability to take part in everyday online life.

World Pollution Prevention Day, also known as National Pollution Control Day, was created in remembrance of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy in India, where a toxic gas leak caused thousands of deaths and left long-term health and environmental damage. Its purpose is to help people understand the dangers of air, water, and soil pollution and to encourage safer, cleaner practices in daily life and industry. The day highlights that strong safety standards and responsible management of hazardous materials can prevent similar disasters in the future.

World Trick Shot Day* (First Tuesday of December) was introduced by the Harlem Globetrotters. The day celebrates impressive trick shots and inspire people to try their own.