April 11 National Days

April 11 is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years), with 264 days remaining in the 2025 calendar. This date brings a mix of light-hearted fun, historical recognition, and meaningful awareness with 15 national and international days observed. From honoring barbershop quartets and submarine history to raising awareness about organ donation and celebrating poetry in sweet form, April 11 offers something for just about everyone.

National and International Days on April 11

Dog Therapy Appreciation Day highlights the invaluable role therapy dogs play in lifting spirits and providing emotional support in hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. These specially trained dogs go through certification processes that qualify them to offer comfort to individuals in need. The day gives thanks to these gentle companions and the joy they bring into people’s lives, one tail wag at a time.

🐶 Celebrate dogs all year long! Check out the complete list of national celebrations dedicated to dogs and honor our loyal furry friends! 🎉🐾✨

International Louie Louie Day celebrates the influential 1957 rock song “Louie Louie” by Richard Berry. Fans chose April 11 to honor Berry’s birthday and the song’s impact on rock music. From garage bands to punk rock, the song’s raw energy and simple lyrics have inspired countless covers and continue to represent musical freedom and rebellion.

National Barber Shop Quartet Day commemorates the formation of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA) on April 11, 1938. Founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Rupert I. Hall and Owen Clifton Cash, the organization sparked a revival in four-part harmony singing. Barbershop quartets offer a unique a cappella style that continues to delight audiences with close harmonies and nostalgic charm.

National Cheese Fondue Day encourages food lovers to gather around a communal pot of melted cheese, a culinary tradition with Swiss origins. The modern form of cheese fondue became popular in the 20th century, especially after cornstarch was introduced to Switzerland in 1905, helping to stabilize the emulsion of cheese and wine. Cheese Fondue is a fun, social experience enjoyed around the world.

National Clean Up Your Pantry Day reminds us to sort through our kitchen shelves, discard expired goods, and donate surplus items to those in need. As groceries pile up, it’s easy to lose track of what we have, leading to food waste. This day promotes awareness and encourages organization, sustainability, and community support.

🧼 Discover 30+ national days dedicated to cleaning and organization! Perfect for tackling chores and bringing order to your space. 🧹✨

National Donate Life Blue & Green Day* (Second Friday of April) asks people to wear blue and green to support organ, eye, and tissue donation awareness. Organized by Donate Life America, the day is part of National Donate Life Month and urges people to register as donors, potentially saving lives among the 100,000+ individuals on the national transplant waiting list.

National Eight Track Tape Day takes us back to the 1960s and 70s, when music was often played on endless-loop magnetic tape cartridges. Invented in 1964 by Bill Lear and other tech partners, 8-tracks were a popular format for car audio until the rise of compact cassettes. While now obsolete, these tapes are remembered fondly by collectors and music fans.

National Living Donor Day shines a spotlight on those who save lives by donating organs or tissue while still living. Founded in 2023 by the Living Liver Foundation, this day is meant to complement the broader Donate Life Awareness Month by specifically celebrating those who donate a kidney, liver segment, or other life-saving tissues.

National Marketing Operations Appreciation Day was founded in 2022 by Zapier to recognize the essential but often unseen work of marketing operations professionals. From managing complex tools to streamlining campaigns, these experts keep marketing strategies efficient and effective. Their efforts help teams make data-driven decisions and automate key processes.

National Pet Day, founded in 2005 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige, encourages pet lovers to remember the pets that may not have a forever home yet. While it’s a great day to spoil your own animals, the core message is to raise awareness for adoptable pets in shelters and the importance of rescue and responsible pet ownership.

🐾 For more dogs, cats, and pets national days, visit the dedicated pages or use the search feature on our website to find exactly what you’re looking for!

National Poutine Day puts the spotlight on the beloved Canadian comfort dish of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Though often debated, the holiday is widely celebrated on April 11, especially by fans of Smoke’s Poutinerie in California, which is believed to have started the day in 2014. The dish has become a cultural icon in Quebec and beyond.

National Ranch Water Day pays tribute to the West Texas cocktail made with tequila, lime, and Topo Chico. Founded in 2021 by RANCH2O Spirits, this holiday gives nod to the drink’s simplicity, refreshing taste, and growing popularity. With fewer calories than a margarita, it’s a favorite for those looking for a light but zesty option.

National Submarine Day honors the commissioning of the U.S. Navy’s first modern submarine, the USS Holland (SS-1), on April 11, 1900. Though a bill to make the day official passed the Senate in 1969, no presidential proclamation followed. Nevertheless, Navy veterans and enthusiasts continue to recognize the historic day each year.

Poet in a Cupcake Day* (Friday of Take Your Poet to School Week) takes place on the Friday of Take Your Poet to School Week and was created by Tweetspeak, a poetry-loving collective that became part of T.S. Poetry Press in 2015. On this fun and quirky day, students and poetry fans are encouraged to bake or decorate cupcakes in honor of their favorite poets. It’s a joyful way to combine the sweetness of literature with the literal sweetness of dessert.

World Parkinson’s Day, launched in 1997 by the World Health Organization and the European Parkinson’s Disease Association, raises global awareness about Parkinson’s disease. One of the most recognized symbols of this day is the red tulip, inspired by Dutch horticulturist J.W.S. Van der Wereld. With campaigns focused on breaking the stigma and funding research, the day calls on everyone to join the effort to put Parkinson’s in the past.