April 23 National Days

April 23 is the 113th day of the year, with 252 days remaining in the 2025 calendar. This day brings together celebrations that highlight languages, literature, pets, food, health awareness, and cultural traditions. In total, 22 national and international days are observed on April 23. Some are celebrated on this date every year, while others fall on the fourth Tuesday of April.

National Days on April 23rd — April 23rd National Days

Similar days to note include National Pet First Aid Awareness Month (for pet CPR and safety awareness), World Book Night (which complements World Book Day), and International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which inspired one of today’s holidays.

Here’s a closer look at each celebration happening on April 23.

National and International Days on April 23

English Language Day: First observed by the United Nations in 2010, English Language Day celebrates the influence of the English language, which is one of the UN’s six official working languages. The date was chosen to honor William Shakespeare, whose birthday and death are both traditionally observed on April 23. This day highlights the role of English in global communication, diplomacy, and media, encouraging equal representation of all official languages across the organization.

German Beer Day 🇩🇪: This day marks the anniversary of the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, which mandated that beer be made only from hops, malt, yeast, and water. Known as the “Reinheitsgebot,” this law laid the foundation for centuries of traditional German brewing. Today, the holiday celebrates the heritage and craftsmanship of German beer, with events across the country, especially in Bavaria, where nearly half of Germany’s breweries are located.

Impossible Astronaut Day: Inspired by the “Doctor Who” episode titled The Impossible Astronaut, which premiered on April 23, 2011, this fan-created holiday celebrates one of the most iconic episodes in the series. Fans mark the occasion by rewatching the episode and drawing tally marks on their arms—just like the characters did to track encounters with the mysterious alien species, the Silence.

👽 For dedicated Doctor Who fans, there’s also Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day on December 8, International Dalek Remembrance Day on December 21, Doctor Who Day on November 23 and Fish Fingers and Custard Day on April 3.

International Creator Day: Founded in 2016 by YouTube creator Casey Neistat, this day honors the growing community of content creators across the globe. It’s a chance to spotlight the creative minds behind videos, blogs, podcasts, digital art, and social media content. Whether amateur or professional, creators use this day to share their passions and connect with audiences, celebrating the power of online storytelling and innovation.

International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day: Celebrated since 2007, this day was started by author Jo Walton in response to a controversial statement made by writer Howard V. Hendrix, who criticized authors sharing their work online for free. Walton turned the criticism into a badge of honor, encouraging writers to proudly publish professional-quality work online, making literature more accessible and honoring the spirit of digital creativity.

Movie Theatre Day: This day celebrates the unique cultural and social experience of going to the movies. From first dates to family outings, theaters offer shared moments of awe and entertainment. As streaming becomes more prevalent, this day serves as a reminder of the irreplaceable charm of the big screen, surround sound, and watching stories unfold in the dark alongside strangers.

National Administrative Professionals Day / Secretaries Day or Admin Day* (Fourth Wednesday of April): Observed during Administrative Professionals Week, this day acknowledges the vital contributions of office staff—receptionists, assistants, coordinators, and others—who help keep workplaces running smoothly. It was first celebrated as National Secretaries Day in 1952 and was later renamed to be more inclusive. Today, businesses recognize their teams with thank-you notes, gifts, or special events.

National Cherry Cheesecake Day: This dessert-themed holiday shines a spotlight on cherry-topped cheesecake, a favorite for many Americans. Recipes vary widely—some blend the cherries into the batter, while others layer them on top. However it’s made, cherry cheesecake is a perfect combination of creamy filling, crumbly crust, and sweet fruit topping. The day invites both home bakers and dessert lovers to enjoy a slice.

National Email Day: Launched in 2022 by ZeroBounce, a leading email validation company, this day honors Ray Tomlinson, the inventor of email. Tomlinson revolutionized communication in 1971 by enabling messages to be sent between users on different computers using the “@” symbol. National Email Day celebrates email’s powerful legacy as a global tool and also raises awareness about proper email etiquette, cybersecurity, and reducing spam.

National English Muffin Day: This day celebrates the humble English muffin—crisp on the outside and soft inside—perfect for toasting and topping with butter, jam, or eggs. While the muffin’s roots are in England, it was popularized in the U.S. by George W. Bay in the 1930s using his grandmother’s recipe. The English muffin is now a staple in American breakfasts and a key ingredient in the beloved eggs Benedict.

National Lost Dog Awareness Day: Founded in 2014 by Susan Taney and Kathy Pobloskie of Lost Dogs Illinois and Wisconsin, this day focuses on reuniting lost pets with their families and raising awareness about the steps that can prevent pets from going missing. With social media and community groups playing a bigger role in recovery, this day also celebrates the success stories and reminds pet owners to use microchipping and ID tags to keep their dogs safe.

National Lover’s Day: Celebrated since the late 1970s, this day is a chance for people in relationships—or those with love to give—to express affection and deepen emotional bonds. It’s often seen as a follow-up to Valentine’s Day, with a more relaxed and spontaneous vibe. Romantic gestures, love notes, or even simple quality time all count as meaningful ways to mark the day.

National Picnic Day: Dating back to 18th-century France, the tradition of enjoying a shared outdoor meal continues today through this celebration. Picnics offer a great way to connect with friends, family, or nature. Whether it’s a full feast in the park or a sandwich and a book by a lake, April 23 encourages everyone to take their meal outside and savor it in good company.

National Take a Chance Day: This day serves as a gentle push to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Whether it’s pursuing a long-postponed dream, trying a bold recipe, or reaching out to someone you admire, April 23 is a day to act courageously and make progress toward personal goals.

National Talk Like Shakespeare Day: Launched in 2009 by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and officially recognized by the state of Illinois in 2011, this day encourages everyone to speak like characters from Shakespeare’s plays. It’s a fun and educational way to honor the Bard’s legacy on the day of his birth and death. The celebration also aligns with English Language Day and invites people to embrace the drama and wit of Elizabethan English.

Pet Tech CPR Day: Created by the international training organization Pet Tech, this day promotes awareness about pet safety, CPR, and first aid—especially for dogs and cats. Recognized on April 23 during National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, this observance encourages pet owners to learn life-saving techniques that could make a difference in an emergency.

Slay a Dragon Day: Inspired by the legend of Saint George and his epic battle with a dragon, this symbolic holiday encourages people to face their fears and conquer personal obstacles. While the legend is centuries old, the message remains timeless—use courage, strength, and persistence to tackle life’s challenges and emerge victorious.

Spanish Language Day: Established in 2010 by the United Nations, this day celebrates the Spanish language and its vast cultural contributions. April 23 was chosen to honor the death of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. The day promotes the equal use of Spanish alongside the other five official UN languages and encourages appreciation of its rich literary and historical heritage.

World Book Day: Established by UNESCO in 1995, this global event promotes reading, publishing, and copyright. April 23 was chosen to commemorate the deaths of Cervantes and Shakespeare. Each year, the designated World Book Capital City hosts special events to celebrate literature and the joy of reading. It complements World Book Night, which focuses on adult readers.

National Days for Book Lovers

World Book Night: Launched in 2011 by Jamie Byng of Canongate Publishing, World Book Night focuses on adult literacy and encourages reading by distributing free books to underserved communities. The celebration moved to April 23 to align with World Book Day and is now supported by The Reading Agency in the UK and beyond.

World Laboratory Day: This day honors the scientists, researchers, and technicians who work behind the scenes to advance medicine, technology, and science. Laboratories are where some of the most significant breakthroughs—like vaccines, antibiotics, and spacecraft—are developed. World Laboratory Day encourages curiosity, discovery, and innovation.

World Table Tennis Day: Founded in 2015 by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), this celebration promotes the inclusivity and joy of table tennis. Held on April 23 in honor of Ivor Montagu, the founder of ITTF and organizer of the first world championship, the day brings communities together through non-competitive, social play.