September 15 National Days

September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years), leaving 107 days until the year’s end.

National Days on September 15th — September 15 National Days

September 15 highlights democracy, Afro hair culture, environmental activism, childhood cancer awareness, neonatal nursing, and education, alongside lighter observances celebrating linguine, double cheeseburgers, cheese toast, crème de menthe, felt hats, and butterscotch cinnamon pie.

Here’s a closer look at the 16 national and international days celebrated on September 15.

National and International Days on September 15

Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Day is a sweet tribute to a fictional dessert from the 2015 indie video game Undertale, created by Toby Fox. In the game, the character Toriel bakes a butterscotch cinnamon pie for the player, symbolizing comfort and kindness. The pie became iconic within the fandom, inspiring fans to bake real-life versions. The observance highlights the unique way storytelling in modern media can inspire traditions that extend beyond the screen into real-world culture.

Greenpeace Day was established in 2011 by Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson to mark September 15, 1971, when 17 activists sailed from Vancouver aboard the Phyllis Cormack to protest U.S. nuclear testing on Amchitka Island, Alaska. This voyage marked the beginning of Greenpeace, which has since become one of the world’s largest and most influential environmental movements. The day honors the power of grassroots activism, reminding us how small, determined groups can grow into global forces for ecological protection and peace.

International Day of Democracy was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 to promote democratic values worldwide and strengthen participation in civic life. The date recalls the 1997 Universal Declaration on Democracy, adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which defined democracy as a universal value rooted in freedom, equality, and respect for human rights. The day is an opportunity to reflect on democratic progress and challenges, encouraging societies to uphold accountability, transparency, and inclusiveness in governance.

International Dot Day began in 2009 when Iowa teacher Terry Shay introduced Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot (2003) to his students. The book tells the story of Vashti, a child who discovers her creative potential by making a single dot, which becomes the beginning of her artistic journey. Shay’s classroom celebration inspired what is now a global movement involving millions of participants in over 190 countries. Dot Day encourages creativity, collaboration, and the belief that even the smallest mark can spark big change.

Make a Hat Day invites people to explore self-expression and imagination by crafting and wearing hats. While its exact origins are unclear, it likely emerged in the early 2000s as a grassroots celebration of creativity. Hats have played important roles in human societies for thousands of years, from ceremonial crowns and military helmets to fashion statements and protective gear. This day honors that long cultural history while encouraging everyone, regardless of skill, to design something fun and personal.

National Cheese Toast Day was founded in 2015 by Sizzler restaurants to honor their signature side dish, first introduced in 1958 by founder Del Johnson. Cheese on toast, however, has a much longer lineage, with dishes like Welsh Rarebit documented in 18th-century Britain. Sizzler’s buttery garlic cheese toast became a hallmark of the chain and is still fondly remembered by generations of diners.

National Crème de Menthe Day commemorates the mint-flavored liqueur created in 1885 by French pharmacist Emile Giffard. Originally devised as a medicinal digestif, it quickly found popularity as a refreshing beverage and cocktail ingredient. Its distinctive green version became especially iconic in drinks such as the Grasshopper. The observance not only highlights a popular spirit but also recalls a time when pharmacists often doubled as inventors of remedies and liqueurs, blending science with culinary craft.

National Custom Framing Day was established in 2021 by Roma Moulding, an Italian company recognized for its eco-conscious approach to frame-making. Observed annually on September 15, the day shines a spotlight on custom framers—artisans whose skill preserves and enhances artwork, photographs, and treasured keepsakes. Framing protects pieces from damage, complements their aesthetic, and helps tell personal stories through presentation. The observance encourages people to see framing not just as decoration but as an art form in itself.

National Double Cheeseburger Day honors an American classic that layers flavor and indulgence with two patties and extra cheese. The invention is often credited to Bob’s Big Boy in 1937, whose version added a middle bun slice for stability and presentation. Over time, the double cheeseburger became a staple of fast food and diner culture, embodying the spirit of hearty, casual dining. The day celebrates not only the dish itself but also its role in shaping 20th-century American food traditions.

🍔 A similar day, National Cheeseburger Day, is celebrated on September 18.

National Felt Hat Day marks the traditional seasonal shift when people put away straw hats of summer and bring out warmer felt hats for autumn. Felt hats have a history stretching back thousands of years, serving practical purposes such as warmth and protection while also functioning as symbols of style, class, and profession.

National Google.com Day commemorates September 15, 1997, when Larry Page and Sergey Brin registered the domain name google.com. Derived from a misspelling of “googol,” the name symbolized the company’s ambition to organize immense quantities of information. Just one year later, Google officially incorporated, eventually becoming the world’s dominant search engine.

National Linguine Day celebrates the pasta that originated in the Liguria region of Italy, with roots dating to the 16th century in Genoa. The word “linguine” means “little tongues,” describing its flat, narrow shape, wider than spaghetti but slimmer than fettuccine. Its design makes it ideal for pairing with sauces such as pesto, a Ligurian specialty, or seafood blends common along Italy’s coastline. Popularized worldwide, linguine embodies the enduring global influence of Italian cuisine and culinary tradition.

National Pasta & Noodle Days

National Neonatal Nurses Day was created in 2000 by the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) to recognize specialists who care for premature and critically ill newborns. The date coincides with National Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month, underscoring the importance of advances in neonatal health. These nurses provide life-saving expertise and compassionate support to families during vulnerable times, making their contributions vital to survival rates and long-term health outcomes for countless infants.

National Online Learning Day was launched in 2016 to highlight the rapid growth of digital education and its transformative impact. Online platforms provide flexible, accessible, and innovative opportunities for learners who might otherwise be limited by geography, finances, or personal schedules. The observance honors students, educators, and institutions pioneering new methods of teaching and learning, while also encouraging society to embrace the future of education in a connected world.

National Tackle Kids Cancer Day was introduced in 2017 by Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation as part of its Tackle Kids Cancer initiative, which began in 2015. The observance raises awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research and patient care programs at the Children’s Cancer Institute. By rallying communities and sports organizations, the campaign underscores the importance of supporting childhood cancer research, one of the most pressing challenges in pediatric health.

World Afro Day was founded in 2017 by Michelle De Leon, a British news features producer, to celebrate Afro hair and culture while challenging discrimination. The observance grew out of a UK Parliament debate on hair acceptance in schools, a landmark in fighting institutional bias. Through workshops, education programs, and global media campaigns, World Afro Day promotes pride in natural hairstyles, dismantles harmful stereotypes, and recognizes Afro hair as an integral expression of identity and heritage.