September 29 National Days

September 29 is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years), with 93 days remaining until the end of the year.

National Days on September 29th Updated — September 29 National Days

This date is best known for its celebrations of coffee and mocha drinks, giving people everywhere a reason to savor their favorite brews. It also carries a global message with World Heart Day, raising awareness about cardiovascular health, and the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, calling for more sustainable choices in how we grow and consume food. Alongside these, the day honors traditions, history, and nature through observances that span culture, film, and conservation.

Here’s a look at the 9 national and international days celebrated on September 29.

National and International Days on September 29

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) was established in December 2019 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/74/209, designating September 29 as the official observance. Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the day draws attention to the urgent need to reduce the enormous amounts of food lost or wasted across supply chains and households. First observed in 2020, IDAFLW emphasizes how tackling food loss and waste supports global food security, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves land and water resources. The observance directly advances UN Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3, which calls for halving global food waste and reducing supply chain losses by 2030. It serves as a rallying point for governments, businesses, and individuals to rethink consumption, improve efficiency, and build more sustainable food systems.

Michaelmas Day / International Happy Goose Day has roots in the medieval English tradition of Michaelmas, when eating a goose was believed to bring wealth and prosperity for the year ahead. The custom crossed the Atlantic in 1786, when a tenant in Pennsylvania’s Juniata River Valley famously paid his rent with a goose, cementing the bird’s symbolic link to fortune. Local observances grew over time, and by the 1970s Goose Day had become an official annual celebration in Mifflin and Juniata counties. Today, the tradition has expanded internationally, marked by goose-themed meals, community festivals, and a nod to the enduring folklore of geese as bringers of luck and abundance.

National Biscotti Day honors the long history of the twice-baked Italian biscuit. The word biscotti comes from the Latin biscoctus, meaning “twice-cooked,” a technique used in ancient Rome to make breads and biscuits durable enough to feed soldiers and travelers on long journeys. Modern biscotti, also known as cantucci, re-emerged in 14th-century Tuscany, where almonds were plentiful, giving the biscuits their distinct flavor and hard, crunchy texture. Traditionally served with dessert wine such as Vin Santo, biscotti later became a favorite companion to coffee and tea worldwide.

National Coffee Day in the United States is celebrated each year on September 29, though its exact origins remain unclear. The date began appearing publicly around 2005 and gained momentum in 2009, when the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans used it to launch the first New Orleans Coffee Festival. While not an official holiday, it has become a major occasion for both national chains and independent cafés to offer promotions and for coffee lovers to celebrate their favorite brew. Beyond marketing, the day also provides a platform to raise awareness about fair trade practices, sustainability, and the welfare of coffee farmers worldwide.

☕️ Although sometimes confused with International Coffee Day—held on October 1 and recognized by the International Coffee Organization—National Coffee Day remains a distinct North American observance that honors both the cultural significance and global impact of this beloved beverage.

National Coffee Day

National Mocha Day honors the chocolate-infused coffee drink that has become a staple of café culture. The word “mocha” originates from the Yemeni port city of Mocha (or Mokha), a major hub for coffee exports between the 15th and 17th centuries, where beans were prized for their natural chocolate notes. Over time, the term expanded from describing Yemeni coffee to the modern beverage made by blending espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate. The drink gained popularity in the early 20th century and became firmly established after the rise of the espresso machine in postwar Europe. By the 1970s, instant mocha packets and café menus helped make the mocha an everyday indulgence worldwide.

☕️ Explore all 25 coffee-related national days celebrated throughout the year.

National Coffee Days 2025

National Silent Movie Day was founded in 2021 by film archivists Chad Hunter, Brandee B. Cox, and Steven K. Hill to celebrate the legacy of silent films and draw attention to their preservation. Silent cinema, which thrived from the late 19th century to the late 1920s, introduced groundbreaking storytelling techniques, visual creativity, and stars like Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford that shaped film culture forever. Sadly, it is estimated that over 70% of silent films have been lost due to neglect, decay, or deliberate destruction. This annual observance on September 29 honors the surviving works, highlights the efforts of film archives and historians, and invites new generations to experience the expressive power of cinema before the age of sound.

National Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Day National VFW Day honors the founding of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) on this date in 1899 in Columbus, Ohio. Established by 13 veterans of the Spanish–American War and the Philippine Insurrection, the group originally called itself the American Veterans of Foreign Service before evolving into today’s VFW—the largest organization of U.S. combat veterans. With the motto “honor the dead by helping the living,” the VFW advocates for veterans’ healthcare, education, and benefits, while also supporting military families, youth scholarships, and community service programs.

Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day was established by a Congressional proclamation in 2018 and first celebrated in 2021 as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Urban Wildlife Conservation Program. The observance highlights the role of national wildlife refuges located near urban centers, ensuring that city residents—where over 80% of Americans live—can connect with nature. Celebrated annually in the fall, often during National Wildlife Refuge Week, the day emphasizes how urban refuges provide essential green spaces for recreation, education, and community well-being while advancing conservation goals. By making wildlife accessible to millions who may live far from traditional wilderness areas, the observance underscores the importance of protecting biodiversity and fostering public engagement in conservation.

World Heart Day was launched in 2000 by the World Heart Federation under the leadership of its then-president Antoni Bayés de Luna, in collaboration with the World Health Organization. Originally observed on the last Sunday of September, it was moved to a fixed date (September 29) in 2011. The day raises awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which remain the world’s leading cause of death yet are largely preventable through lifestyle choices such as healthy eating, exercise, and avoiding tobacco. With campaigns, screenings, and educational programs held worldwide, the observance emphasizes that protecting heart health is not only a personal responsibility but also a collective priority for public health.