August 27 is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years), with 126 days remaining until the end of the year.

National Days on August 27th
August 27 National Days

The date balances fun and history, from playful games like rock paper scissors and the spontaneity of Just Because Day, to culinary traditions including crab soupbananaspeaches, and pots de crème. It also remembers milestones such as the abolition of slavery in the Corn Islands, the first commercial oil well, and the founding of global observances like World Lake Day.

Here’s a look at the 10 national and international days celebrated on August 27.


National and International Days on August 27

Crab Soup Day originated on the Corn Islands of Nicaragua to commemorate the abolition of slavery on August 27, 1841. Freed people marked the occasion by hunting land crabs and preparing a communal feast, a tradition that has endured through generations. Today, Crab Soup Day features parades, pageants, and cultural festivities alongside the dish, while crab soups like the she-crab variety in South Carolina highlight the broader culinary significance of this meal.

International Lottery Day celebrates the long history and cultural impact of lotteries, which have funded everything from ancient civic projects to modern education and infrastructure. While its exact founding is unclear, the observance acknowledges both the entertainment value of lotteries and their role in raising public funds across centuries.


💸 Related celebration, National Lottery Day, is celebrated on July 17.


National Banana Lovers Day highlights the global popularity of bananas, one of the world’s most-consumed fruits. Introduced widely to the United States in the late 19th century through companies like United Fruit (now Chiquita), bananas became a staple of both sweet and savory dishes. The day encourages enjoyment of the fruit in its many forms, from smoothies and breads to global cuisines.


🍌 Related celebration, National Banana Day, is celebrated on the third Wednesday in April.


National Just Because Day was created in the late 1950s or early 1960s by Joseph J. Goodwin of Los Gatos, California, after he gifted his wife a radio simply “just because.” It encourages spontaneous acts of kindness, generosity, or fun without needing a reason, reminding people to embrace joy and connection in everyday life.

National Peach Day falls during National Peach Month, first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1982, to recognize the fruit’s nutritional value and the labor of peach growers. Believed to have originated in China, peaches have spread worldwide and are now staples of summer harvests in the United States, particularly in Georgia, South Carolina, and California.

National Petroleum Day commemorates August 27, 1859, when Edwin L. Drake successfully drilled the first commercial oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania. This breakthrough marked the birth of the modern petroleum industry, which revolutionized energy, transportation, and global economies. The day reflects on both the benefits and challenges of petroleum use in modern society.

National Pots de Crème Day honors the French custard dessert dating to the 17th century. Originally used as a pie filling, it evolved into a standalone treat served in small porcelain cups of the same name. Known for its rich, creamy texture and flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, or coffee, pots de crème represent French culinary refinement and tradition.

National Tug of War Day is sometimes mentioned alongside August 27 observances, though it is officially recognized on February 19. Tug of war has ancient roots across cultures, appearing in Egypt, Greece, India, China, and Japan, where it was tied to rituals, military training, or festivals. The sport became organized with codified rules in the late 19th century and was even an Olympic event from 1900 to 1920. Today, the Tug of War International Federation oversees competitions, keeping alive a pastime that combines teamwork, strength, and tradition.


🤼‍♂️ Related celebration, International Tug of War Day is celebrated annually on February 19th.


World Lake Day was officially designated by the United Nations in 2024, tracing its roots to the 1984 World Lake Conference held at Lake Biwa in Japan. It emphasizes the importance of lakes and reservoirs for ecosystems, communities, and cultural heritage. The day calls for sustainable management of freshwater resources, a message reinforced by the UN’s 2023 Water Conference.

World Rock Paper Scissors Day was created in 2014 by the World Rock Paper Scissors Association in Ottawa, Ontario. The game itself dates back to China’s Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), later evolving in Japan as jan-ken before spreading worldwide. Celebrated as a universal and lighthearted way to make decisions and resolve disputes, the day also highlights the game’s role as a cultural bridge and features tournaments organized by the Association.


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➡️  Have you already seen DigitalHyyge’s National Days Calendars 2025?

➡️  Complete list of August National Days

➡️  Complete list of September National Days

➡️  Curious to see more national and international celebrations? We have dozens of national days lists curated for you!

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Last Update: August 19, 2025