September 14 National Days

September 14 is the 257th day of the year (258th in leap years), leaving 108 days until the year’s end.

September 14 brings together observances that highlight family and parenting, sobriety, creativity, food traditions, and health awareness. Some days are lighthearted, like celebrating cream-filled donuts or jawbreakers, while others carry deeper meaning, such as promoting sober living, remembering pets, or addressing food insecurity through the “food is medicine” movement.

Here’s a closer look at the 12 national and international days celebrated on September 14.

National and International Days on September 14

Gobstopper Day celebrates the classic hard candy better known as the jawbreaker. The term “gobstopper” comes from the British slang word gob for mouth, and the candy itself has been enjoyed for generations as a long-lasting treat that slowly reveals colorful layers as it dissolves. Its fame was amplified by Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) with the fictional “Everlasting Gobstopper,” later brought to life as a real candy in the 1970s.

National Coloring Day, started by holiday creator Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, invites people to take a mindful pause with crayons, pencils, or markers. Unlike National Coloring Book Day (August 2), which focuses on published books, this day emphasizes coloring itself as a relaxing, creative, and therapeutic activity that encourages self-expression across all ages.

National Cream-Filled Donut Day celebrates one of the sweetest innovations in the history of baking. While donuts themselves trace back to Dutch settlers in early America, the tradition of filling them with cream likely evolved from European pastries in the 18th century, where custard- or jam-filled treats were already popular. By the late 19th century, American bakers began experimenting with richer fillings, creating the cream-filled donuts we know today.

🍩 National Donut Day or National Doughnut Day, celebrated in the United States and in some other countries, is on the first Friday of June of each year.

National Eat a Hoagie Day celebrates the classic sandwich that became a staple of Philadelphia’s food culture and later spread nationwide. A hoagie—made with a long Italian roll filled with meats, cheeses, and toppings—likely originated in the early 20th century among Italian-American immigrants in Philadelphia.

National Food Is Medicine Day, founded in 2023 by the Food Equality Initiative and Free From Market, calls attention to the critical role of nutrition in preventing and managing chronic disease. It advocates for solutions such as produce prescription programs and medically tailored meals, especially for underserved communities. The observance builds on the long-standing “Food Is Medicine” movement, rooted in both modern public health initiatives and ancient wisdom, such as Hippocrates’ principle, “Let food be thy medicine.”

National Food Is Medicine Day highlights the vital role that nutritious food plays in preventing and managing chronic diseases. Founded in 2023 by the Food Equality Initiative and Free From Market, the day draws attention to barriers that keep many communities from accessing healthy food and promotes solutions such as produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals. While the observance is recent, the concept of “food as medicine” is centuries old, echoing Hippocrates’ maxim, “Let food be thy medicine.” The day serves as both an awareness campaign and a call to action—encouraging policymakers, healthcare providers, and citizens to recognize food not as a luxury, but as a fundamental component of healthcare.

National Hug Your Hound Day* (Second Sunday in September) was created by canine behaviorist Ami Moore to celebrate the bond between humans and their dogs. The day not only encourages owners to show extra affection to their pets but also raises awareness about creating dog-friendly communities, where dogs are welcomed in public spaces and treated as valued companions. Research shows that physical affection, such as hugging, boosts oxytocin levels in both humans and dogs, strengthening emotional connection and trust.

National Live Creative Day, founded in 2016 by Creative Promotional Products, encourages people to embrace creativity as an essential part of everyday life—not just in traditional art forms, but in problem-solving, communication, and personal expression. The day serves as a reminder that creativity fuels innovation, resilience, and joy, whether expressed through painting, writing, cooking, designing, or simply thinking differently about challenges. By stepping outside routine and allowing space for imagination, individuals can unlock new perspectives, strengthen self-confidence, and contribute to a more inspired and connected world.

National Parents’ Day Off, created by Epic (the children’s digital reading platform) in 2021, acknowledges the hard work of parenting and encourages parents to take a well-deserved break. Recognizing that self-care benefits both parents and children, the day complements July’s National Parents’ Day by giving caregivers a chance to rest and recharge.

National Pet Memorial Day* (Second Sunday in September), established in 1972 by the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories, provides a meaningful space for grieving and honoring the lives of beloved pets. It recognizes the deep emotional bonds people form with animals and encourages remembrance ceremonies, tributes, and reflections on the companionship pets bring.

National Rosa Tequila Day celebrates a unique variety of tequila aged in red wine barrels, giving it a distinctive pink hue and flavor profile. This innovation traces back to Don Dionisio “Nicho” Real in the 1950s, when he experimented with red wine barrels instead of bourbon. The modern observance, first promoted in 2022 by Calirosa Tequila in partnership with the Real family, highlights both tradition and innovation in tequila-making while encouraging exploration of this colorful spirit.

🍸 See all alcohol-related national days.

National Sober Day, founded in 2019 by Lori Massicot and Courtney Andersen of the Real Aligned Women community, recognizes sobriety as a positive lifestyle choice. Held during National Recovery Month, it encourages those in recovery, as well as allies, to embrace a life free of alcohol. The day challenges stigma around addiction, promotes community support, and celebrates the joy and health benefits that come with sobriety.

🛑 Discover all national days and months dedicated to sobriety. Also, download our free no-alcohol challenges and trackers.

National Virginia Day honors the Commonwealth of Virginia, one of the original thirteen colonies and a state central to U.S. history. Known as the “Mother of Presidents” for producing eight U.S. presidents, Virginia was home to Jamestown (1607), Yorktown (site of the Revolutionary War’s end), and Appomattox (where the Civil War concluded). Beyond politics, Virginia offers cultural and culinary heritage—Smithfield ham, blue crabs, peanuts—as well as scenic landscapes stretching from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic coast.