Yesterday was Friday, February 13, 2026.
February 13 features 19 observances:
Black Love Day, Desperation Day, Employee Legal Awareness Day, Galentine’s Day, Get a Different Name Day, International Condom Day, International Natural Day, International Day of Self-Love / Madly in Love With Me Day, International Winter Bike to Work Day, Kiss Day, National Apology Day 🇦🇺, National Blame Someone Else Day, National Break Up With Your Carrier Day, National Cheddar Day, National Crab Rangoon Day, National Tortellini Day, National Wingman Day, No One Eats Alone Day, World Radio Day.
Scroll down to explore the meaning behind each one.
Black Love Day was founded in 1993 by Ayo Handy-Kendi as an African-centered spiritual observance dedicated to healing, unity, and nonviolence within the Black community. Created in response to social tensions following the release of Malcolm X and personal loss, it calls on participants to practice five forms of love: for the Creator, self, family, the Black community, and the Black race, while encouraging reflection, reconciliation, and support for Black-owned businesses.
Desperation Day was introduced by the character Barney Stinson in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, specifically in the 2011 episode Desperation Day. In the show, it marks the night before Valentine’s Day as a time when single people rush to find last-minute dates to avoid spending the holiday alone. The concept has since been embraced by fans as a way to joke about dating pressure or to gather with friends without taking Valentine’s Day too seriously.
Employee Legal Awareness Day was established by Australian lawyer Paul Brennan to promote workplace legal education for employees and small business owners. The observance encourages individuals to understand their employment rights, including fair pay, safe working conditions, and protection from discrimination, while also becoming familiar with company policies and responsibilities. Its aim is to reduce workplace disputes by fostering informed, constructive dialogue about legal obligations and rights.
Galentine’s Day began in 2010 in the sitcom Parks and Recreation, where Leslie Knope introduced it as a day for women to celebrate their friendships. Observed on February 13, it centers on supportive, platonic relationships. Women mark the day by gathering for brunch or small get-togethers to recognize friendship as an important bond alongside romantic relationships.
Get a Different Name Day was created by Thomas Roy and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays. It invites people to use a different name for one day by asking friends or colleagues to address them accordingly. It gives people a chance to see how it feels to be called something different and to notice how a name can influence confidence, mood, or self-image.
📅 A similar occasion, National Name Yourself Day, is celebrated every year on April 9th, giving everyone a fun chance to reinvent their name for a day! 🎉✨
International Condom Day was established in 2009 by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to promote safer sex and condom use. Observed just before Valentine’s Day, it focuses on sexual health education, STI prevention, and open conversations about protection. Many organizations mark the day by distributing free condoms, sharing information, and encouraging people to make informed choices about their sexual health.
International Natural Day was founded by Sanah Jivani after her experience with Alopecia Universalis influenced her views on beauty and self-acceptance. Created to encourage confidence and authenticity, the day calls on people to embrace their natural appearance and question unrealistic beauty standards. It invites reflection on how self-acceptance can strengthen identity, resilience, and well-being.
International Day of Self-Love, also called Madly in Love With Me Day, was founded in 2008 by Christine Arylo and inspired by her book Madly in Love with Me. It was intentionally placed just before Valentine’s Day to shift attention inward and encourage people to value themselves regardless of relationship status. The day focuses on self-care, self-acceptance, and self-trust, inviting individuals to prioritize their emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being and to recognize their worth without relying on outside validation.
International Winter Bike to Work Day* (Second Friday in February) was founded in 2013 by the Winter Cycling Federation to show that commuting by bicycle remains possible even in cold weather. It encourages people to ride to work despite snow and low temperatures, share their experiences, and highlight the health, environmental, and transportation benefits of year-round cycling.
Kiss Day is part of the Valentine’s Week celebration and reminds couples that any day is a good day to share a kiss. It highlights the importance of affection and connection, adding to the anticipation leading up to Valentine’s Day.
National Apology Day 🇦🇺 marks the formal apology delivered in 2008 by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to the Stolen Generations—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families under government policies. Observed across Australia, the day recognizes the harm and impact of those actions.
National Blame Someone Else Day* (First Friday the 13th of the year) was created in 1982 by Anne Moeller after a failed alarm clock set off a series of mishaps in her day. Observed on the first Friday the 13th each year, it plays on the superstitions tied to the date by giving people permission to blame minor mistakes—like running late or spilling coffee—on bad luck or someone else. It turns small everyday frustrations into humor.
National Break Up With Your Carrier Day was created by T-Mobile in 2019. The observance encourages mobile users to review their wireless plans and switch providers if they are unhappy with pricing, contracts, or service quality. The campaign, promoted during the tenure of CEO John Legere, highlighted common frustrations such as hidden fees and slow data while advertising switching incentives.
National Cheddar Day was founded in 2019 by the Tillamook County Creamery Association to mark its 110th anniversary. The day invites people to enjoy cheddar in their favorite dishes such as mac and cheese, burgers, or sandwiches and to appreciate the craft behind this well-known cheese.
National Crab Rangoon Day was founded in 2008 by three friends in Boston—Sarah White, Kara Sweeney, and Kristin Ostrem—to celebrate the deep-fried wontons filled with cream cheese and crab meat often served in American-Chinese restaurants. Observed just before Valentine’s Day, it gives people a reason to meet friends, share a plate, and replace romantic pressure with something simple and social.
National Tortellini Day honors the small, ring-shaped stuffed pasta that originated in Bologna, in the Emilia-Romagnaregion of Italy. Traditionally filled with ham, white meat, and Parmesan and served in broth, tortellini carries centuries of culinary history and even inspired the Learned Order of the Tortellini, a group devoted to protecting its authentic preparation.
National Wingman Day began in 2004 as an initiative of the United States Air Force under Chief of Staff John P. Jumper. It promotes the idea of a wingman as a trusted partner who looks out for others’ well-being, offers support during difficult moments, and helps prevent problems before they escalate. The observance also recognizes loyal friends who stand by one another in everyday life and serious challenges.
No One Eats Alone Day* (Friday of the 2nd full week in February) was founded in 2012 by Laura Talmus and Ace Smith through the nonprofit Beyond Differences in memory of their daughter, Lili Rachel Smith. The initiative encourages students to notice classmates who are alone at lunch and invite them to join in, promoting inclusion and reducing social isolation in schools.
World Radio Day was created in 2011 by UNESCO and later approved by the United Nations General Assembly. The date honors the launch of United Nations Radio in 1946. The observance highlights how radio shares news, music, and educational programs across the world, including in areas without reliable internet, and why it remains an important source of information and public discussion.
National Days to Explore
Today | Tomorrow | December | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | Food Days
National Days in February
February 1 | February 2 | February 3 | February 4 | February 5 | February 6 | February 7 | February 8 | February 9 | February 10 | February 11 | February 12 | February 13 | February 14 | February 15 | February 16 | February 17 | February 18 | February 19 | February 20 | February 21 | February 22 | February 23 | February 24 | February 25 | February 26 | February 27 | February 28
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