March 5 National Days

March 5 is the 64th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, leaving 301 days until the end of the year (302 in leap years). Nine national and international observances take place on this day, covering food, history, mental health, filmmaking, customer service, and arms control.

From celebrating cheese doodles and absinthe to raising awareness about dissociative identity disorder and disarmament efforts, March 5 offers a mix of lighthearted and thought-provoking topics.

Let’s take a look at the national and international days observed on March 5!

National and International Days on March 5

Cinco de Marcho: A humorous play on Cinco de Mayo, this day was created in 2007 as a “training period” for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It encourages participants to pace themselves and prepare for the festivities ahead. While the day is centered around drinking culture, it emphasizes moderation and responsible celebration.

🍹 Curious about all the alcohol and drinking-related national days? We’ve created a special list just for you🥂🎉

International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness: Established by the United Nations, this day raises awareness about arms control, nuclear disarmament, and reducing global weapon stockpiles. It aims to educate the public—especially young people—on how disarmament contributes to peace, security, and the prevention of armed conflicts.

Learn What Your Name Means Day* (Wednesday of Celebrate Your Name Week): Part of Celebrate Your Name Week, this day encourages people to explore the origins, meanings, and history behind their names. Established in 1997 by Jerry Hill, it highlights the importance of names in shaping identity and cultural heritage.

National Absinthe Day: This day honors absinthe, the anise-flavored spirit known as la fée verte (“the green fairy”). Once banned in several countries due to its rumored psychoactive effects, absinthe made a comeback in the 1990s after scientific studies debunked myths surrounding it. The date marks the approval of Pernod Fils Absinthe’s final label in 2013.

National Cheese Doodle Day: A day to celebrate the crunchy, cheesy snack enjoyed across the U.S. Though the origins of cheese doodles are debated, many credit Morrie Yohai for developing them in the 1940s. This snack, often compared to Cheetos, remains a favorite treat, with millions of pounds produced annually.

🍽️ Don’t miss our National Food Calendar for even more food-related national days and months to celebrate all year long! 🎉🍔🍓

National Multiple Personality Day / Dissociative Identity Disorder Awareness Day: This day has two meanings—one encourages self-reflection and exploring different aspects of personality, while the other raises awareness of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). DID is a recognized mental health condition characterized by two or more distinct identities, and the day helps combat misconceptions about the disorder.

National Potty Dance Day: Created by Charmin in 2014, this lighthearted day recognizes the “potty dance”—the involuntary movement people make when they need to use the restroom. Initially meant to make potty training fun for kids, the day gained attention when a viral video of a toddler’s happy dance after using the potty spread across social media.

Reel Film Day: Established in 2017 by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Kodak, this day celebrates the artistry of traditional 35mm film. It encourages film lovers to appreciate the rich texture and authenticity of movies shot on film reels. Many theaters participate by screening classic films to highlight the magic of reel-based filmmaking.

Stop Bad Service Day* (First Wednesday of March): First introduced in 2013 by customer service expert Donna Cutting, this day encourages businesses to improve customer interactions. It serves as a reminder that good service builds loyalty, while poor service can damage reputations. The goal is to promote better service experiences for consumers.

Each of these 11 national and international observances celebrated on March 5 highlights topics from fun food traditions to global security efforts. Whether you’re learning about your name, watching a classic film, or advocating for better customer service, this day offers something for everyone!

Which of these observances will you be celebrating today?