National Bible Sunday

National Bible Sunday in the United States is observed on the fourth Sunday of January, which falls on January 25 in 2026. The day centers on the Bible’s role in Christian faith, worship, and shared religious life.

Although it is not a federal holiday, National Bible Sunday is widely recognized within Protestant and liturgical traditions. Many congregations mark the day with scripture-focused services, group readings, or sermons centered on biblical themes.

Some churches also distribute Bibles, support translation efforts, or collect offerings for organizations such as the American Bible Society, reflecting an emphasis on access to Scripture.

When Is National Bible Sunday?

National Bible Sunday is observed each year on the fourth Sunday of January. Rather than being linked to one specific historical event, the date developed through church tradition in the United States, with late January becoming a common time to encourage renewed Bible reading and reflection at the beginning of the year.

Year	Date	Day of the Week
2026	January 25	Sunday
2027	January 24	Sunday
2028	January 23	Sunday
2029	January 28	Sunday
2030	January 27	Sunday

The practice of setting aside a day for the Bible has appeared at several points in U.S. history.

In 1815, James Madison asked Americans to observe a day of prayer that included reflection on the Bible. Later, during the Civil War in 1863, Abraham Lincoln made a similar request, encouraging the nation to turn to Scripture during a time of crisis. These events did not establish a permanent holiday, but they helped introduce the idea of setting aside a Sunday for the Bible.

After these early appeals, churches continued the practice on their own. Over time, late January became the most common period for Bible Sunday. Today, the observance is celebrated mostly locally, with churches choosing how to mark the day through reading, teaching, and discussion rather than following a single national directive.