January 1 National Days

January 1, 2026, is the 1st day of the year, falling on a Thursday in week 1, and it is observed globally as New Year’s Day.

The 15 observances tied to this date largely revolve around beginnings and renewal, from setting commitments and easing into the year after celebrations to symbolic fresh starts and the annual release of creative works into the public domain.

Below is a list of all national and international days celebrated on January 1, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on January 1

Apple Gifting Day centers on the tradition of giving an apple to mark the New Year as a gesture of goodwill. The apple has long symbolized health, abundance, and knowledge, making it a simple, meaningful way to wish others wellness and prosperity at the start of the year.

Commitment Day gives an alternative to New Year’s resolutions. Established in 1960, the observance encourages people to make thoughtful commitments that involve ongoing effort, often centered on personal growth, health, or meaningful relationships, rather than short-lived goals set for the start of the year.

Copyright Law Day draws attention to the moment when many copyrighted works reach the end of their legal protection. On this date, those works enter the public domain, meaning they can be freely shared, adapted, and reused by anyone. Public Domain Day is closely linked to this observance, as it focuses on the cultural and creative value of books, music, and artworks that become publicly accessible at the start of each year.

Euro Day marks the introduction of the euro, first launched in 1999 for electronic transactions and later introduced as physical currency in 2002. The day reflects the euro’s role in promoting economic cooperation and easier trade within the European Union, where it has grown from an initial group of countries to 20 members, with Bulgaria joining the euro area in 2026.

Global Family Day is an international observance focused on peace, unity, and shared human values, built around the idea of the world as one global community. It grew out of the “One Day in Peace” Millennium celebration launched by the United Nations in 2000 and was later established as an annual observance with support from children’s advocate Linda Grover.

National Bloody Mary Day is dedicated to a savory cocktail closely associated with New Year’s Day. Its tomato-based profile, spices, and spirits have made it a popular brunch choice, often linked with easing post-celebration fatigue.

National Hangover Day acknowledges the inevitable aftermath of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Founded in 2015 by restaurateur Keegan Calligar of Oven and Tap, the observance uses humor to recognize headaches, low energy, and the need for recovery. It offers an excuse to slow down, reach for comfort food, and ease into the new year.

National Ring a Bell Day celebrates the tradition of ringing bells to welcome the New Year, a practice tied to ideas of unity, renewal, and shared hope. The observance aligns with the National Bell Festival, highlighting the cultural and artistic value of bells and the people who create and ring them. It also draws attention to the preservation of historic bells and towers, reflecting the long role bells have played in marking major public moments and collective milestones.

National UNO Day celebrates the classic card game and invites families and friends to play together on New Year’s Day.

National UNO Day

New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the calendar year and is widely observed as a time for renewal, reflection, and setting intentions for the months ahead. Traditions often focus on rest, family gatherings, and symbolic fresh starts following the celebrations of the previous night.

🗓️ Today’s the perfect time to grab yourself a printable National Days Calendar or Lunar Phases Calendar to plan ahead and stay inspired! 🌙🎉

New Year’s Dishonor List Day highlights a long-running tradition of calling out overused or misused words and phrases in the English language. Created in 1976 at Lake Superior State University by public relations director Bill Rabe, the annual list is released at the start of the year to encourage clearer, more thoughtful language by symbolically “retiring” expressions that have lost meaning through repetition.

Polar Bear Plunge Day centers on the tradition of plunging into icy water to welcome the New Year, a practice documented in the United States as early as 1904 with the L Street Brownies. While some take part for the personal challenge or symbolic fresh start, many modern plunges are organized as charity events, often benefiting the Special Olympics.

Public Domain Day marks the point at which copyrighted works reach the end of legal protection and become freely available for public use. Each year, it highlights books, music, and artworks that can be shared, adapted, and built upon without restriction.

World Day of Peace is an international observance established in 1967 by Pope Paul VI to encourage reflection on peace as a moral and social responsibility. First observed in 1968, it is marked each year by a papal message addressing global challenges, justice, and human dignity, and it coincides in the Catholic calendar with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

Z Day is a wordplay-based observance created in 1988 by Tom Zager. Built around the idea that those with last names starting with “Z” are often placed last, the day humorously flips the order by recognizing them on the first day of the year.