April 5 National Days

April 5 is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years), with 270 days remaining until the end of the year. This day brings together fun, reflection, awareness, and celebration across a wide range of themes.

From honoring military families and recognizing medical advancements to indulging in sweet caramel and supporting handmade and DIY, April 5 features 26 national and international days that highlight both lighthearted traditions and meaningful causes.

Here’s a look at the national and international days celebrated on this day.

National and International Days on April 5

Accelerate A.C.L. Awareness Among Young Women Day: Raises awareness about the higher risk of ACL injuries among young women. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the key ligaments in the knee, and injuries to it are more common in women than men due to anatomical and hormonal differences. The day focuses on educating parents, coaches, and athletes on prevention, treatment, and the importance of proper training.

Bell Bottoms Day: Celebrates the iconic flared pants that became a fashion staple in the 1970s but actually trace back to sailors in the early 19th century. U.S. Navy sailors wore them for practicality before they became a symbol of free-spirited fashion. Today, they remain a nostalgic reminder of retro style and expression.

🌟 Similar day: National Retro Day on February 27.

Every Day Is Tag Day* (First Saturday in April): Started by the American Humane Society, this day promotes the importance of proper pet identification. This observance reminds pet owners to microchip or provide ID tags to ensure lost pets are returned safely. Shelters, vets, and pet organizations use this day to educate the public and reduce the number of unclaimed animals.

First Contact Day: Commemorates the fictional date of April 5, 2063, when humans in the Star Trek universe first made contact with aliens—the Vulcans—thanks to Dr. Zefram Cochrane’s warp-speed space flight. The day celebrates science fiction and humanity’s curiosity about space and extraterrestrial life. The concept gained popularity with the release of the 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact.

Gold Star Spouses Day: Honors the surviving partners of military service members who died in the line of duty. The U.S. Senate officially recognized the day in 2012, updating an earlier 2010 observance known as Gold Star Wives Day. The day acknowledges the ongoing sacrifices of these families and encourages nationwide remembrance and support.

Hospital Admitting Clerks Day: Recognizes the essential role of hospital clerks who manage admissions, patient records, and financial intake. Celebrated since at least 2003, the day highlights their critical function in ensuring smooth hospital operations.

International Day of Conscience: Established by the United Nations, this day promotes global peace, tolerance, and ethical reflection. Observed annually on April 5, it encourages individuals and societies to act with compassion, uphold human dignity, and work toward a harmonious world through conscious decision-making.

International Firewalk Day* (First Saturday in April): Celebrates firewalking as a symbolic practice of facing fears and overcoming challenges. Founded in 2017 by Stephen Brown, Rolf and Asa Beckman, and Martins and Baiba Vecvanags, the day supports personal growth and mental resilience.

International Pillow Fight Day* (First Saturday in April): Launched in 2008 by Kevin Bracken, this flash mob event encourages spontaneous, playful pillow fights in cities around the world. Participants often use the day to raise funds or donate pillows to shelters. The day promotes community and play.

Love Our Children Day* (First Saturday in April): Founded by Love Our Children USA, this day was first celebrated on April 3, 2004. It brings attention to child abuse prevention and encourages loving, respectful relationships with children. It is part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

National Body Care Day: Established in 2018 by Kayo Body Care, this day focuses on the importance of full-body skincare. It advocates for non-toxic skincare routines and the importance of whole-body wellness in everyday life.

National Caramel Day: Highlights this sweet, chewy treat made by cooking sugar with milk or cream. Caramel has been used in American candy-making since at least the 17th century and remains a favorite in desserts and confections.

National Dandelion Day: Celebrates the resilience and beauty of the dandelion. Introduced to North America by European settlers, this plant is both edible and medicinal. Its adaptability has made it a symbol of survival and natural healing.

National Deep Dish Pizza Day: Honors Chicago-style pizza, known for its thick crust and generous layers of cheese and sauce. The style originated at Pizzeria Uno in 1943 and remains a beloved regional classic.

National DIY Day* (celebrated twice: April 2nd and first Saturday of April): First launched in 2016 by the Craft Box Girls, National DIY Day celebrates hands-on creativity and personal projects.

National Flash Drive Day: Founded in 2018 by USB Memory Direct, this day honors the game-changing invention of the USB flash drive. It commemorates the original patent filing and recognizes how portable storage has revolutionized digital data sharing.

National Go For Broke Day: Encourages taking bold risks to achieve a goal. It likely honors Private First Class Sadao Munemori, the first Medal of Honor recipient from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, who died on April 5, 1945. The team’s motto was “Go for Broke.”

National Handmade Day* (First Saturday in April): Suggested by Amy Bierstedt of From Scratch Farm in 2017 and first celebrated in 2018. This day supports local artisans and encourages people to value handmade products over mass-produced goods.

✂️ Similar days include National DIY Day (April 2 and April 5, 2025) and National Children’s Craft Day (March 14th).

National Nebraska Day: Celebrates the state’s entry into the Union in 1867 and its history of westward migration, farming, and conservation. Nebraska is also the birthplace of Arbor Day (last Friday in April), which was first celebrated in 1872.

National Peeps Day: Honors the marshmallow candy chicks and bunnies first made in 1953 by Just Born, a candy company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Though most associated with Easter, Peeps have become a year-round treat.

National Play Outside Day* (First Saturday of every month): Founded in 2011 by Aaron Wiggans and Rhonda D. Abeyta, this day reminds us to unplug and enjoy outdoor activities. It encourages lifelong health through active play.

National Raisin and Spice Bar Day: This comforting dessert combines sweet raisins and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.. Popular in homemade recipes for generations, these bars are a symbol of cozy baking traditions.

National Read a Road Map Day: Encourages people to practice traditional map-reading skills in an age dominated by GPS. It reminds us how printed maps remain valuable in emergencies and for understanding geography.

National SI 5 Star Phone Certification Day: Was founded in 2019 by the Scheduling Institute to honor businesses that complete their phone skills certification program. The training, developed by Jay Geier, helps improve client service and communication.

Slow Art Day* (Dates Change): This global event encourages people to take their time when viewing artwork—typically spending at least 10 minutes per piece to foster deeper connection and reflection. The concept was started in 2008 by Phil Terry, who discovered that slowing down transformed how he experienced paintings at a museum in New York. By 2009, 16 museums participated, and today over 1,500 venues around the world join in annually. Slow Art Day falls on a different date each year, but always encourages viewers to pause, look carefully, and rediscover art in a more intentional, mindful way.

Tangible Karma Day* (First Saturday in April): Was founded in 2005 by Amber Nicole Dilger to promote recycling and mindful consumption. The day encourages people to declutter and donate, reflecting the idea that positive actions return positive outcomes.