April 15 National Days

April 15th is the 105th day of the year, and there are 16 national and international days to explore. From food favorites and historical observances to holidays promoting awareness and creativity, today’s lineup is packed with significance and variety.

Here’s what April 15 has in store.

National and International Days on April 15

International Microvolunteering Day: This day encourages everyone to take small but meaningful actions that help others. Microvolunteering involves easy, short-term tasks that can often be done from home, like translating content, signing petitions, or giving feedback on charitable campaigns. Help From Home started this day in 2014 to promote active citizenship in bite-sized pieces. As more people seek flexible ways to give back, the microvolunteering movement continues to grow across platforms and borders.

McDonald’s Day: This observance marks the anniversary of the first McDonald’s franchise opened by Ray Kroc in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1955. While the McDonald brothers developed the original concept in San Bernardino, California, Kroc’s expansion strategy transformed it into a global fast-food powerhouse. McDonald’s Day reflects not just a food legacy but a major shift in how people eat, work, and engage with convenience-based culture. Today, the golden arches are among the most recognizable symbols worldwide.

National Anime Day: Celebrates the global reach and cultural impact of Japanese animation. With roots dating back to the early 1900s and gaining international popularity through series like Astro Boy in the 1960s, anime has grown into a major media genre. One of the earliest anime conventions, Comiket, started in Tokyo in 1975 and now attracts hundreds of thousands of fans. In the U.S., cities like Atlanta, Orlando, and Nashville host their own National Anime Day events, bringing together fans to celebrate their favorite characters, shows, and cosplay.

National ASL Day: American Sign Language (ASL) has a deep history rooted in Deaf education and culture. This day commemorates April 15, 1817, when the first permanent school for the Deaf opened in Hartford, Connecticut. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc, who brought sign language from France, played key roles in shaping ASL into what it is today. National ASL Day honors the language, community, and the ongoing work of Deaf individuals and allies to increase accessibility and recognition.

National Bunion Day: Introduced in 2024 by Treace Medical Concepts, this day brings awareness to bunions—bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe and often cause pain and discomfort. The goal is to educate the public on prevention and modern treatments, as well as celebrate recovery stories. Medical professionals, podiatrists, and patients use the day to share knowledge and support. The inaugural observance saw widespread participation from healthcare platforms, news outlets, and advocacy groups.

National Glazed Spiral Ham Day: Thanks to inventor Harry J. Hoenselaar, April 15 celebrates the tasty innovation of spiral-cut glazed ham. Hoenselaar patented both the slicing device and signature glaze in 1952, and in 1957, he founded the HoneyBaked Ham Company. His invention made it possible to serve elegant, evenly sliced ham straight from the bone. Since the patent expired in 1981, many others have adopted the spiral ham method, but Hoenselaar’s invention continues to shine as a centerpiece at many holiday tables.

National Griper’s Day: Created in 1984 by writer Jack Gilbert of Columbus, Ohio, this day gives space to complaints, frustrations, and grumbles. Originally, Gilbert invited people to mail him their grievances, creating a lighthearted forum for venting. The day is about reclaiming personal expression and reconnecting through honest conversation—because sometimes, airing your complaints is the first step to moving past them. Observed each year on April 15, it’s an invitation to be heard, even if you’re just annoyed about the weather or long lines at the store.

National Laundry Day: This practical observance highlights the evolution of how humans have cleaned clothes—starting from pounding garments on rocks to today’s smart washers. National Laundry Day also encourages us to reflect on our laundry habits and teach younger generations to maintain clothing responsibly. While we don’t know who founded the day, its roots go back to earlier celebrations like National Laundry Worker Day. April 15 is the perfect time to sort socks, freshen up fabrics, and honor this essential part of daily life.

🧼 Did you know that there are over 30 national days dedicated to organizing and cleaning?

National Rubber Eraser Day: April 15 commemorates the invention of the rubber eraser, credited to British chemist Joseph Priestley in 1770. Before this, people commonly used breadcrumbs to remove pencil marks. The innovation of using rubber revolutionized writing and education, and the term “rubber” itself became synonymous with the eraser. This day celebrates a small but mighty invention that helps us correct our mistakes—one scribble at a time.

✏️ There is a similar day, National Pencil Day, that commemorates the day when the inventor Hymen Lipman registered the first patent for a pencil with an eraser integrated into the end of the pencil in 1858.

National Take a Wild Guess Day: Created by Jim Barber of TheBarbershop.com, this lighthearted observance encourages hunches, intuition, and, of course, wild guesses. Celebrated on April 15—the same day as Tax Day—it reminds us that not everything in life can be calculated. From estimating how many jellybeans are in a jar to guessing future trends, today is all about embracing uncertainty and letting your best guess take the lead.

National Tax Day: April 15 is a date well-known across the U.S. as the deadline for filing federal income tax returns. First implemented in 1862 during the Civil War, income tax became permanent with the 16th Amendment in 1913. Initially, the deadline was March 1, later moved to March 15, and finally changed to April 15 in 1955. Though extensions apply when the date falls on a weekend or holiday, Tax Day has come to symbolize financial responsibility and the close of tax season.

National Titanic Remembrance Day: Observed on April 15, this solemn day honors the more than 1,500 lives lost when the RMS Titanic sank in 1912. After striking an iceberg late on April 14, the ship went down in the early hours of April 15 during its maiden voyage. The tragedy led to changes in maritime safety regulations, including requirements for lifeboats and emergency communication. While no single founder is associated with the day, memorial events are held annually around the world.

Purple Up! Day: As part of the Month of the Military Child, Purple Up! Day was initiated by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension in 2011. On April 15, people wear purple to show support for children in military families. The color combines the service branch colors into one unified shade. Purple Up! Day acknowledges the resilience of military children who often face unique challenges like frequent moves, school transitions, and deployments.

That Sucks Day: This humorous and cathartic holiday was launched by That Sucks LLC to embrace all things that don’t go our way. From life’s minor annoyances to major frustrations, That Sucks Day lets us laugh at the chaos. It coincides with events like Tax Day and Titanic Remembrance Day—not exactly upbeat anniversaries—and uses satire to highlight life’s less-than-perfect moments.

Universal Day of Culture: Founded in 1935 through the Roerich Pact and championed by Russian artist Nicholas Roerich, this day emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The U.S. ratified the agreement that same year. The Banner of Peace—a red circle with three dots on a white background—serves as a symbol of protecting art, science, and spirituality. In 2008, a global movement revived interest in this day to promote peace through the safeguarding of cultural treasures and traditions.

World Art Day: Created by the International Association of Art and first celebrated in 2012, this global observance promotes creativity, expression, and the power of the arts. Held on April 15 in honor of Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday, it celebrates art’s influence on peace, education, innovation, and intercultural dialogue. Supported by UNESCO, World Art Day invites museums, schools, and communities to host exhibits, workshops, and events that elevate artistic expression.