January 9 National Days

January 9, 2026, is the 9th day of the year, with 356 days remaining in the year, falling on a Friday in the second week of the year.

The day highlights a shift from early-year ambition toward reflection and more realistic goal-setting. Other observances focus on healthy foods like apricots, the science of static electricity, and a celebration of language and wordplay.

National Days on January 9, 2026 — January 9 National Days

Below is a list of all 10 national and international days observed on January 9, each explained briefly.

National & International Days on January 9

International Choreographers Day honors the creators who design and shape movement for dance performances across stages, screens, and digital platforms. Formally established as a global observance in 2018 by the International Association of Choreographers, the day aligns with the birth anniversaries of influential figures such as George Balanchine and Merce Cunningham. Its purpose is to recognize choreography as a professional craft, highlighting the role choreographers play in translating ideas and emotions into movement and shaping cultural expression through dance.

National Apricot Day provides a mid-winter opportunity to enjoy apricots in various forms, such as frozen, dried, or as preserves. Observed since at least 2003, the day highlights the fruit’s nutritional value—including vitamins A and C, fiber, and potassium—and recognizes its long journey from ancient trade routes to modern cultivation in places like California.

National Apricot Day

National Balloon Ascension Day commemorates the first manned balloon flight in the United States, which took place in 1793. The flight was carried out by French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard, who launched a hydrogen-filled balloon from the courtyard of the Walnut Street Prison in Philadelphia, witnessed by George Washington. Tracked as an observance since 2011, the day recognizes the early foundations of American aviation and encourages interest in aeronautics and exploration.

National Cassoulet Day honors the slow-cooked French bean stew that originated in the Languedoc region of southern France. Founded in 2014 by the National Cassoulet Day committee, led by Philippe Bertineau and the team at the New York City restaurant Benoit, the observance focuses on preserving the dish’s traditional character. Its purpose is to highlight cassoulet as a rustic recipe—typically made with white beans, duck confit, and pork—and to recognize the patience and craftsmanship involved in its multi-day preparation.

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.) was established in 2015 by Concerns of Police Survivors in partnership with other law enforcement organizations. Created in response to heightened public tension following events in Ferguson in 2014, the observance provides a space for communities to express gratitude to law enforcement officers across the United States. Its purpose is to acknowledge the people behind the badge and recognize the risks and responsibilities involved in maintaining public safety.

National Static Electricity Day highlights static charge, a buildup of electric imbalance on a surface that can cause sparks or make materials attract or repel each other. The observance encourages curiosity about how static electricity shows up in daily life, from wintertime shocks to its use in technologies such as laser printers and air purifiers.

National WONK Day was founded in 2019 by iHeartMedia to coincide with the launch of its Washington, D.C., radio station, WONK-FM. The observance honors “wonks,” the experts and behind-the-scenes professionals who work on complex policy and global issues and whose contributions to public life often go unnoticed.

National Word Nerd Day celebrates people who enjoy words, language, and wordplay, often called logophiles. Popularized through social media in the 2010s, the observance encourages learning new words, exploring how language works, and appreciating the complexity of the English language.

Play God Day encourages people to take intentional action that positively affects someone else’s life. Founded in 1993, the observance focuses on using personal influence—whether through generosity, forgiveness, or service—to offer help, support, or relief where it is needed most.

Quitter’s Day* (Second Friday in January) was popularized in 2019 by the social fitness network Strava after analyzing data from more than 31.5 million activity uploads worldwide. The data showed that this point in January is when many people step away from their New Year’s resolutions. The observance encourages people to review goals that may have been too optimistic and adjust them rather than quit, using the moment for shared support and renewed motivation.