August 28 National Days

August 28 is the 240th day of the year (241st in leap years), with 125 days remaining until the end of the year.

The date highlights themes of pet remembrance, communication access, red and cabernet wine, fashion, comics, and kindness. It also marks milestones in broadcasting history, a few playful holidays, and the enduring legacy of cultural icons like the Power Rangers and comic artist Jack Kirby.

Here’s a look at the 12 national and international days celebrated on August 28.

National and International Days on August 28

Crackers Over the Keyboard Day, created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, brings humor and rebellion to August 28. It playfully encourages people to snack on crackers while working at their computers, crumbs and all—a direct challenge to tidy office etiquette. Beyond its silliness, the day represents the idea of letting go of rigid routines and finding joy in small acts of harmless mischief.

International Cabernet Sauvignon Day* (Thursday before Labor Day) was founded in 2009 by wine enthusiast Rick Bakas to celebrate the world’s most famous red wine grape. Originating in 17th-century France from a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon became central to Bordeaux wines and today thrives in vineyards around the world.

International Read Comics in Public Day, founded in 2010 by Brian Heater and Sarah Morean, celebrates the art of comics and their cultural significance. Chosen for August 28 to honor the birthday of legendary artist Jack Kirby, co-creator of heroes like Captain America, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men, the day encourages fans to read comics openly and proudly. It also highlights the medium’s long history, from the first modern comic book Famous Funnies in 1933 to today’s global comic industry spanning print, web, and graphic novels.

Makaton International Awareness Day was established in 2022 by The Makaton Charity to mark the 50th anniversary of the Makaton Language Programme. Celebrated on the birthday of its creator, speech therapist Margaret Walker, the day raises awareness of this unique communication system that combines speech, hand signs, and symbols to support people with learning disabilities and communication challenges.

National Bow Tie Day highlights a classic fashion accessory with roots in 17th-century Croatia, where mercenaries tied fabric around their collars in a style later adopted by the French. Observed since at least 2007, the day celebrates the bow tie as a symbol of individuality, sophistication, and flair.

National Cherry Turnover Day highlights a classic pastry filled with tart-sweet cherries wrapped in buttery, flaky dough. Turnovers, often baked from puff pastry and enjoyed either warm or at room temperature, can be traced to European baking traditions that prized portable, fruit-filled hand pies. The observance gives cherries a final spotlight before summer’s end and invites creative variations with toppings like whipped cream or ice cream.

National Power Rangers Day was launched in 2018 by Hasbro to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the popular franchise that first aired in 1993. Inspired by Japan’s Super Sentai series, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers introduced “teenagers with attitude” who balanced high school life with saving the world. The show became a global sensation, sparking toys, films, and generations of fans. National Power Rangers Day honors the franchise’s impact on pop culture, teamwork, and positive role models for children.

National Red Wine Day was created in 2014 by writer Jace Shoemaker-Galloway to encourage wine lovers to enjoy red wine even in summer. Traditionally associated with cooler weather, red wine is made from dark grape varieties and ranges in color from deep violet in youth to brick red in maturity.

National Thoughtful Day, founded by Barb Paton of Thoughtful Pinch, promotes kindness and small acts of generosity. The observance emphasizes how even the simplest gestures can uplift others and create lasting ripple effects of goodwill.

Race Your Mouse Around the Icons Day, another invention of Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, injects digital playfulness into the calendar. Celebrated on August 28, it encourages computer users to procrastinate a little by racing their mouse pointer around desktop icons. While lighthearted in tone, the observance serves as a reminder of the need for breaks and the human desire to bring amusement into even the most routine tasks.

Radio Commercials Day commemorates August 28, 1922, when New York station WEAF aired the first paid radio advertisement—a ten-minute spot for Queensboro Realty. This moment marked the beginning of commercial broadcasting in the United States, reshaping the relationship between media and business. While the UK did not air its first radio commercial until 1973, radio advertising has since become a cornerstone of marketing worldwide.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was founded by author and blogger Deborah Barnes in 2015 to honor the memory of her beloved Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, who passed away on that date in 2013. The day offers a way for people to remember pets that have died—whether cats, dogs, birds, or other companions—recognizing the deep grief that follows their loss. Named after the well-known “Rainbow Bridge” poem that imagines a peaceful reunion between owners and their pets in the afterlife, the observance gives comfort to those grieving and encourages reflection on the unconditional love animals bring into human lives.