July 23 National Days

July 23 is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years), leaving 161 days until the end of the year.

On this day, we celebrate World Sjögren’s Day to raise awareness about a serious autoimmune disease, and National Women Touched by Addiction Day to support women impacted by substance use. We also mark Gorgeous Grandma Day, which redefines aging with style and confidence, and Sprinkle Day, which highlights the fun and history behind dessert toppings.

Food lovers can enjoy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day, National Lemon Day, and National Vanilla Ice Cream Day. Even the summer heat gets a mention with Hot Enough For Ya Day, and International Yada, Yada, Yada Day adds a touch of humor inspired by a classic sitcom Seinfeld.

Below are the 10 national and international days celebrated on July 23 with short explanations for each observation.

National and International Days on July 23

Gorgeous Grandma Day was created in 1984 by Alice Solomon, a writer and activist who wanted to challenge outdated stereotypes about aging women. The day encourages women—grandmothers or not—to celebrate their age with pride, confidence, and enthusiasm. It recognizes that older women lead full, dynamic lives and are not defined by traditional roles or appearances. The purpose of the day is to honor their contributions, promote positive aging, and inspire women to embrace each stage of life with joy and purpose.

Hot Enough For Ya Day recognizes a common phrase used during the height of summer to comment on extreme heat. The expression, “Hot enough for ya?” has long been a lighthearted way to acknowledge shared discomfort during heatwaves, especially in regions with high humidity. Although the exact origin of the observance is unknown, the day typically falls during one of the hottest times of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It serves as a playful way to connect over the weather and encourages people to stay cool, hydrated, and mindful of heat-related health risks.

International Yada, Yada, Yada Day celebrates the cultural impact of a phrase made popular by the television show Seinfeld in the 1990s. First appearing in the episode titled The Yada Yada in 1997, the phrase “yada, yada, yada” became a humorous way to skip over unimportant or awkward parts of a story. While the expression existed before the show, Seinfeld helped bring it into mainstream usage and gave it lasting comedic value. The day was created by Michael W. Casby to honor the expression’s influence on everyday conversation and pop culture.

National Lemon Day honors one of the oldest citrus fruits in the world—the lemon—and its many uses. From brightening up recipes to acting as a natural cleaner, lemons have a long history, with origins believed to trace back to northeastern India around the 1st millennium BC. Established in 2024, this day invites everyone to enjoy and explore the many ways lemons can be used in food, drinks, and everyday life.

National Vanilla Ice Cream Day honors one of the most widely enjoyed ice cream flavors in the United States. Celebrated on July 23, the day falls within National Ice Cream Month and acknowledges vanilla’s long-standing popularity. One of the earliest American references to vanilla ice cream comes from Thomas Jefferson, who brought a recipe back from France in the 1780s. A handwritten version of this recipe still exists in the Library of Congress.

National Women Touched by Addiction Day was founded in 2021 by Mending Hearts, a nonprofit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee, that provides housing and treatment for women recovering from substance use. This day recognizes the challenges women face when it comes to addiction—both for those who have experienced it directly and those affected through loved ones. The observance raises awareness about gender-specific impacts of addiction, promotes mental health support, and works to reduce stigma through education and open conversation.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day celebrates one of the most iconic flavor pairings in American candy history. The combination gained popularity in the 1920s thanks to H.B. Reese, who invented Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups after leaving his job at the Hershey Company. First sold in 1928, the cups helped make this salty-sweet duo a favorite treat across the U.S. and beyond. The contrast of flavors and textures is what makes the combo so satisfying.

🥜🍫 A related observance, I Love Reese’s Day, is celebrated annually on May 18.

Sprinkle Day was started in 2017 by Rosie Alyea, a cookbook author and dessert decorator known for her brand Sweetapolita. The day celebrates sprinkles in all their colorful forms—from jimmies to nonpareils—and their role in making desserts more festive and fun. Sprinkles have a long history, including Dutch hagelslag and American jimmies, and remain a staple of birthday cakes, cupcakes, and ice cream sundaes worldwide.

World Sjögren’s Day raises awareness about Sjögren’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions globally—often going undiagnosed for years. The day was founded by the Sjögren’s Foundation to mark the birthday of Dr. Henrik Sjögren, the Swedish ophthalmologist who identified the condition in 1933. World Sjögren’s Day provides an opportunity to educate the public about symptoms like dry eyes, dry mouth, and joint pain, and to advocate for better diagnosis and treatment.