April 16 National Days

April 16 is the 106th day of the year (107th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 259 days remaining until the end of the year. Today, we recognize 16 national and international days, many of which focus on health, environmental awareness, education, and cultural appreciation.

This day includes everything from honoring the human voice and revealing inner genius, to supporting elephants, librarians, and mushroom lovers.

Here’s what April 16 has in store.

National and International Days on April 16

Canadian Film Day 🇨🇦* (Third Wednesday in April): Founded by the nonprofit Reel Canada in 2014, Canadian Film Day celebrates Canada’s film industry. The initiative encourages schools, libraries, and community centers to host screenings that reflect the country’s stories, landscapes, and cultures. Over the years, the day has become a nationwide tradition that not only honors Canadian filmmakers but also helps connect people through shared cinematic experiences.

Day of the Mushroom: This lighthearted observance celebrates one of the most versatile and widely enjoyed fungi in the world. From button mushrooms to shiitake and portobello, mushrooms play a role in global cuisines and ecosystems alike. On April 16, fans of fungi recognize their unique role in both culinary and ecological spheres. While the origin of this day remains unclear, its popularity continues to grow, much like the mushrooms it honors.

🍄‍🟫 A similar day, National Mushroom Day is celebrated on October 15th.

National Banana Day* (Third Wednesday in April): Bananas are celebrated on this day for their widespread popularity. As one of the most consumed fruits globally, bananas have been cultivated for thousands of years, especially in tropical regions. They are technically classified as berries and are vital in diets around the world. This unofficial holiday draws attention to the banana’s nutritional benefits and cultural significance.

National Bean Counter Day: Founded by CPA Kevin Wenig from Connecticut, National Bean Counter Day recognizes accountants and tax professionals who worked tirelessly through tax season. April 16 offers a well-earned break to these professionals, giving them a moment of appreciation and rest after the intensity of Tax Day. While “bean counter” once had a literal meaning, it now refers affectionately to those who meticulously manage numbers and finances.

National Eggs Benedict Day: Eggs Benedict has long been a favorite for breakfast or brunch. This dish consists of poached eggs, Canadian bacon or ham, and Hollandaise sauce over English muffins. Multiple origin stories exist, including one from Delmonico’s in New York and another from Lemuel Benedict at the Waldorf Hotel in 1894. Today, it remains a go-to item on brunch menus across the United States and beyond.

National Healthcare Decisions Day: Founded by Nathan Kottkamp of McGuireWoods LLP, this day focuses on encouraging people to prepare advance directives for medical care. The goal is to ensure that individuals’ wishes are known and honored in the event they’re unable to speak for themselves. It also supports education among healthcare providers and the general public about the importance of these decisions in reducing stress for families during difficult times.

National Librarian Day: Established by the American Library Association in 1958 and revived in 2004, this day honors librarians for their role in supporting literacy, access to knowledge, and community learning. From organizing collections to helping people find reliable resources, librarians are essential to education and lifelong learning.

National Orchid Day: Mike and Faith Young founded National Orchid Day in 2014 to honor the memory of their daughter, Orchid Faith. After volunteering at an orchid reserve in Mexico, the couple chose to name their child after the flower, and following her passing during labor, they created this day as a tribute. Orchids are celebrated for their beauty, diversity, and delicate structure, with thousands of known species around the world.

National Pathway Day: Created in 2025 by Porterville Unified School District Pathways Department, this day recognizes Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that prepare high school and community college students for careers in specialized industries. These programs integrate academic learning with real-world experience, helping students gain practical skills while preparing for further education or entry into the workforce.

National Reveal the Genius Within Day: This day honors Shokare Nakpodia, the founder of DreamWeek and a passionate advocate for open dialogue and community-driven solutions. Celebrated on Nakpodia’s birthday, April 16, the day encourages people to share ideas, connect across differences, and reveal their own inner brilliance through community engagement and discussion.

National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day: Started in 2004 by Pajamagram, this lighthearted holiday was created as a way to decompress the day after Tax Day. It’s especially popular among accountants and office workers who’ve worked late nights filing tax returns. The idea is simple: wear your pajamas to work and enjoy a relaxed, cozy day as a reward for all that stress.

Save The Elephant Day: Created in 2012 by the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation in Thailand and Canadian filmmaker Patricia Sims, this day brings attention to the importance of elephant conservation. With threats like habitat loss and poaching still prevalent, the day encourages global efforts to protect these intelligent, social creatures. The release of the documentary “Return to the Forest,” narrated by William Shatner, helped launch the international awareness campaign.

Teach Your Daughter to Volunteer Day: This observance encourages parents to introduce their daughters to volunteering. Philanthropy can take many forms, from helping out at shelters and community centers to donating a portion of allowance money to causes they care about. The day serves as a reminder to nurture empathy, responsibility, and community awareness from an early age.

World Semicolon Day: Observed annually on April 16, this day supports suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Closely tied to Project Semicolon, a nonprofit founded to provide hope and encouragement for those struggling with mental illness, the day invites people to share stories, wear semicolon symbols, and advocate for better mental health support and understanding.

World Voice Day: First celebrated in Brazil in 1999 and now observed globally, World Voice Day promotes awareness of vocal health and the importance of the human voice in communication. Professionals such as singers, teachers, and public speakers are especially encouraged to take part. The American Academy of Otolaryngology officially recognized it in 2002, and events are held to educate the public on voice care and vocal disorders.

Youth Homelessness Matters Day 🇦🇺* (Third Wednesday in April): Launched in 1990 by the National Youth Coalition for Housing in Australia, this awareness day brings attention to the serious issue of youth homelessness. Events, campaigns, and calls for policy change highlight the struggles faced by young people who are homeless and advocate for sustainable, compassionate solutions. The observance is held during Youth Week and encourages public action to ensure every young person has a safe place to live.