April 18 National Days

April 18 is the 108th day of the year (or the 109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 257 days remaining until the end of the year. A total of 14 national and international days are observed on this date, with topics ranging from heritage and health to dinosaurs, poetry, snacks, and more.

National and International Days on April 18

Adult Autism Awareness Day: Founded in 2009 by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), this observance raises awareness of the experiences and challenges faced by adults on the autism spectrum. While originally focused on college students, the day has grown to promote understanding, accessibility, and inclusion in education, employment, and community life for all autistic adults.

International Amateur Radio Day: Celebrated each April 18, this day commemorates the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) in 1925. Radio amateurs around the world mark the occasion by taking to the airwaves, highlighting their role in pioneering global communication and discovering shortwave propagation. The IARU was formed in Paris to protect amateur radio’s place on the electromagnetic spectrum.

International Day for Monuments and Sites: Also known as World Heritage Day, this observance was established in 1982 by ICOMOS and officially adopted by UNESCO in 1983. Celebrated globally on April 18, it promotes awareness of cultural heritage’s diversity, significance, and vulnerability, while highlighting the importance of preserving historic sites through local and international cooperation.

International Jugglers Day: Established by the International Jugglers’ Association (IJA) in the mid-1980s, this day celebrates the global juggling community. The IJA, founded in 1947, uses this day to promote the art and history of juggling, a skill with roots as far back as 2000 BCE. Events and workshops encourage enthusiasts to showcase their talents and connect with fellow jugglers worldwide.

National Animal Crackers Day: This nostalgic holiday celebrates the animal-shaped treats that have delighted kids since the 1800s. Stauffer’s Biscuit Company made the first domestic batch in 1871, but the treat gained fame in 1902 when Nabisco launched Barnum’s Animals with the now-iconic circus train box. Despite their cookie-like sweetness, animal crackers are technically classified as crackers due to their layered dough.

National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day* (Third Friday in April): Founded by DisposeRx in 2019, this day encourages proper disposal of unused or expired medications. It highlights the dangers of storing old prescriptions, which can lead to accidental poisoning, misuse, or environmental harm. The observance promotes safe practices for clearing out medicine cabinets while raising awareness about drug abuse prevention and eco-friendly disposal.

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

National Columnists’ Day: Established by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, this day honors columnists and their role in shaping public discourse. It also commemorates the death of Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Ernie Pyle, who was killed in Okinawa on April 18, 1945. Columnists provide insight, spark debate, and offer personal perspectives on local and global events.

National Exercise Day: First observed in 2020 and created by Jeuse Saint-Fleur, this day promotes daily physical activity and reminds everyone—no matter how busy—to prioritize their health. A walk, light calisthenics, or stretching can make a big difference. The focus is on making fitness a manageable and consistent part of daily life.

National Lineman Appreciation Day: On April 10, 2013, the U.S. Senate officially designated April 18 as a day to honor electrical linemen. These skilled workers build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps the country powered, often working in extreme conditions. Their behind-the-scenes efforts ensure modern life keeps running.

National Piñata Day: This festive holiday celebrates the colorful candy-filled containers used in celebrations around the world. Piñatas likely originated in China, traveled through Europe, and were adopted and transformed in Latin America. Today they’re a staple at birthdays and holidays, bringing laughter and sweet rewards to kids and adults alike.

National Poem in Your Pocket Day* (Date Varies During National Poetry Month): Started in New York City in 2002 and taken national by the Academy of American Poets in 2008, this day encourages people to carry a poem with them and share it throughout the day. The goal is to make poetry accessible and joyful—no rules, no pressure, just a celebration of language.

National Velociraptor Awareness Day: This dinosaur-focused day shines a light on the real velociraptor—much smaller and more birdlike than its Hollywood portrayal in Jurassic Park. First named in 1924 by paleontologist Henry Fairfield Osborn, velociraptors lived during the Late Cretaceous period and likely had feathers. The day reminds us that prehistoric creatures were just as fascinating in reality as in fiction.

Pet Owners Independence Day: Started by Thomas Roy and Wellcat in 2022, this humorous holiday flips the roles between humans and their pets. On this day, pet parents can imagine a world where their pets earn the paycheck while they relax at home. Though meant in jest, it’s a fun way to appreciate the often-overlooked responsibilities of 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!

World Marbles Day* (Every year on Good Friday): This day marks the continuation of a tradition that began in 1588 in Tinsley Green, England, when two men competed in marbles for a milkmaid’s hand. Today, the British and World Marbles Championship is held annually, attracting participants worldwide. Though originally played with clay, glass marbles have been the standard since 1962.