December 9 National Days

December 9, 2025, is the 344th day of the year, with 21 days remaining until the year’s end. Falling on a Tuesday in the 50th week, December 9th highlights traditions connected to Christmas cards, the cultural heritage of llamas, and the centuries long history of pastry making, alongside several other observances.

Below is a list of all 10 national and international days celebrated on December 9, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on December 9

Christmas Card Day highlights the long tradition of sending written holiday greetings. The observance points back to 1843, when Sir Henry Cole commissioned the first commercial Christmas card as a more efficient way to share seasonal messages. The custom soon spread and became a familiar part of holiday celebrations in many countries.

Christmas Card Day

Genocide Prevention Day, officially known as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime was created by United Nations General Assembly in 2015. They chose the date to mark the anniversary of the 1948 Genocide Convention, the first human rights treaty adopted by the UN. The day honors victims of past genocides and reinforces the global responsibility to prevent this crime in the future.

International Anti-Corruption Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the impact of corruption and to promote the goals of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, adopted in 2003 and in force since 2005. The day draws attention to how corruption weakens democratic institutions, increases poverty, and supports organized crime. Globally, an estimated $2.6 trillion is lost each year to corrupt practices—an amount equal to more than five percent of the world’s GDP.

International Day of Veterinary Medicine honors the work of veterinarians and veterinary professionals around the world. In addition to caring for pets, they help protect public health by monitoring and controlling zoonotic diseases, support food security by overseeing livestock health, and contribute to research that advances medicine for both animals and humans. They also play an essential part in promoting animal welfare, whether working with household pets, farm animals, or wildlife.

Lutefisk Day, also known as Anna’s Day in Scandinavian countries, marks the start of traditional Christmas preparations. It is the time when families begin preparing lutefisk, a historic dish made from dried cod soaked in lye and then cooked for holiday meals.

National Llama Day celebrates an animal native to the high Andes that was domesticated thousands of years ago and remains important today. Llamas have long supported Andean communities as pack animals and sources of fiber, and they continue to be valued for trekking, therapy programs, and farming. The observance highlights their long history with humans, their cultural significance, and the many ways they are still part of modern life.

National Llama Day

National Opal Apples Day highlights the distinctive Opal apple, a cross between Golden Delicious and Topaz known for its bright yellow skin, sweet-tart flavor, and crisp texture. One of its defining features is its natural resistance to browning, which makes it perfect for salads and snacks. Opal apples are non-GMO and grown exclusively in the United States by FirstFruits Farms in Washington. The observance was founded in 2022 by FirstFruits Farms to introduce more people to the variety and recognize its unique qualities.

National Pastry Day celebrates the wide range of pastries enjoyed around the world, from pies and tarts to croissants and éclairs. Pastry making has deep historical roots, beginning in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where thin doughs were used for honey-sweetened treats. The craft developed further in 18th-century France as new techniques and recipes emerged, shaping many of the pastry traditions we use today.

National Pastry Day

National Weary Willie Day honors the birthday of Emmett Kelly, the American circus performer who created the “Weary Willie” clown persona in the early 20th century. Born in 1898, Kelly introduced a sad, down-on-his-luck hobo character with a five-o’clock shadow, worn clothing, and a quiet, expressive style that contrasted sharply with the cheerful white-faced clowns of the time. Developed during the Great Depression, Weary Willie reflected the hardships many people faced, which made the character deeply relatable. Kelly performed with several circuses, including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, and remains one of the most influential clowns in American circus history.

World Techno Day celebrates the electronic music genre that emerged in the mid-1980s in Detroit. The observance was established in 2003, and the date honors the birthday of Juan Atkins—born December 9, 1962—who, along with Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, is part of the “Belleville Three,” credited with shaping the early sound of techno. The genre is known for its steady four-on-the-floor beat, use of synthesizers and drum machines, and emphasis on experimentation. From its Detroit origins, techno gained strong support in Europe, particularly in Berlin, and has since developed into a global musical movement.