August 19 National Days

August 19 is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years), with 134 days remaining until the end of the year.

The date blends creative expression through photography, bows, and even playful fictional languages with causes that raise awareness for orangutan conservation, patient advocacy, and humanitarian work. It also celebrates innovations in aviation, soft ice cream, and the humble yet globally essential potato, alongside industry-specific events like the UK’s home moving day.

Here’s a look at the 10 national and international days celebrated on August 19.

National and International Days on August 19

International Bow Day was created in 2017 by Claire’s, the American accessories retailer, to spotlight the enduring role of bows in fashion. Once a staple of men’s attire in the 18th century, bows transitioned into women’s fashion, adorning hairstyles, dresses, and accessories in fabrics ranging from silk to velvet. Their placement—whether at the collar, waist, or in the hair—has shifted with trends, yet the bow remains a recognizable symbol of elegance and playfulness in style.

International Orangutan Day was created by World Orangutan Events to draw attention to the critical threats facing orangutans, including deforestation for palm oil production, hunting, and the illegal pet trade. Native to Borneo and Sumatra, these great apes are critically endangered. Conservation groups worldwide use the day to promote habitat protection, rehabilitation programs, and sustainable practices to safeguard orangutan survival.

International Talk Like Jar Jar Binks Day began in 2016 to honor the Star Wars character’s unique speech style, known as Gunganese. Timed to coincide with the birthday of Ahmed Best, the actor who portrayed Jar Jar Binks, the day invites fans to speak in the playful dialect and celebrate the creativity behind the character’s design and performance.

National Aviation Day was established in 1939 by presidential proclamation from Franklin Delano Roosevelt to mark the birthday of Orville Wright, born August 19, 1871. The observance recognizes achievements in aviation and encourages interest in flight, with federal buildings often directed to fly the U.S. flag. Orville lived to see the holiday’s creation and continued to witness advancements in aviation until his death in 1948.

National Moving Day 🇬🇧* (date varies each year) brings together estate agents, removal companies, storage providers, and solicitors to improve the home-moving experience. Founded through collaboration among UK industry professionals, including Bee Relevant Marketing and Richardson Moving and Storage, the day focuses on solving logistical challenges, streamlining processes, and making relocations less stressful for individuals and families.

National Patient Advocacy Day was founded in 2019 by DECO Recovery Management to highlight the essential role of patient advocates in healthcare. The profession’s roots trace back to the 1950s, expanding during the Patient Rights Movement of the 1970s. Advocates help patients navigate complex medical systems, secure access to treatments, and address issues such as insurance eligibility, billing disputes, and medical errors.

National Potato Day celebrates one of the world’s most important staple foods, cultivated for thousands of years. Potatoes were first domesticated in the Andes region of Peru between 8,000 and 5,000 B.C., later introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Today, the potato is grown in over 150 countries, valued for its versatility, nutrition, and cultural significance.

🥔 Other potato-themed days include World Potato Day / International Day of the Potato (May 30), National Tater Tot Day (February 2), National French Fry Day (second Friday in July), and National Mashed Potato Day (October 18).

National Soft Ice Cream Day honors the frozen treat popularized in the 1930s. Tom Carvel is often credited with its rise after a flat tire forced him to sell partially melted ice cream from his truck in 1934, leading to his first store. Dairy Queen also claims an origin story, with founders J.F. McCullough and his son perfecting a soft serve formula in the mid-1930s. The day celebrates the innovation that turned a kitchen mishap into a dessert icon.

World Humanitarian Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 to honor aid workers and those who have died in humanitarian service. Observed on the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, which killed 22 people including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the day both commemorates the sacrifice of humanitarian workers and raises awareness of global humanitarian needs.

World Photography Day commemorates the invention of the daguerreotype, the first practical photographic process, announced to the world by the French government on August 19, 1839. The modern observance was inspired by Indian photographer O.P. Sharma in 1988 and first celebrated globally online in 2010. The day honors photography’s artistic and scientific achievements, encourages sharing a single meaningful image, and reflects on the medium’s power to document history and tell stories across cultures.