February 14 National Days

February 14, 2026, is the 45th day of the year, with 320 days remaining, and it falls on a Saturday in the seventh week of the year.

Beyond its focus on romance, February 14 also draws attention to organ donation, heart health, bicycle commuting, book giving, and the birthday of George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., inventor of the Ferris wheel. The date connects themes of care and connection with actions, from supporting medical causes and literacy to recognizing innovation and personal independence.

National Days on February 14, 2026 — February 14 National Days

Below is a list of all 21 national and international days observed on February 14, each explained briefly.

National and International Days on February 14

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day raises awareness of congenital heart defects (CHD), heart abnormalities present at birth that affect about 1 in 100 newborns worldwide. The observance began through the efforts of Jeanne Imperati, who in 1999 encouraged families in an online support group to seek official recognition. The first observance was held on February 14, 2000. The day promotes understanding of early diagnosis and treatment, honors children and adults living with CHD, and supports research aimed at improving survival and quality of life.

Global Movie Day* (Second Saturday in February) was founded in 2020 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars. The first observance took place on February 8, 2020, the day before the 92nd Academy Awards, to build excitement around the ceremony. The day recognizes how films connect people across countries and cultures through storytelling and encourages audiences to watch, discuss, and appreciate movies from around the world.

Gold Heart Day is held each year on Valentine’s Day to raise funds for children with disabilities and those facing disadvantage. It was established in 1991 in Great Britain by Marsha Rae Ratcliff through Variety – the Children’s Charity as part of the Gold Heart Pin Campaign. Supporters purchase gold heart-shaped pins, with proceeds helping provide wheelchairs, communication devices, medical care, and educational support for children in need.

Have a Heart Day 🇨🇦 is a child- and youth-led reconciliation event founded in 2012 by the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society based in Canada. The day calls for equal opportunities for children, including safe homes, fair access to education and healthcare, and respect for cultural identity. Children and young people take part by learning about these issues, writing letters to government leaders, and speaking up for fairness in their communities.

International Book Giving Day is a volunteer-led initiative launched in 2012 by Amy Broadmoore after a suggestion from her son. Observed on February 14, it encourages people to give new or used books to children, friends, schools, libraries, or charities. The goal is to expand access to reading materials and help more children grow up with books in their hands.

📚 There are many more national days dedicated to books and reading throughout the year—because reading is fundamental! Explore them all in one list! 🎉📖✨

International Snowmobile Ride Day* (Second Saturday in February) was founded in 2022 by BRP, Inc. and is now supported by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association. The day encourages riders to head out on the trails, enjoy winter landscapes, and share the sport with others. Clubs and local groups often host open houses, community rides, or “take a friend” events, while also promoting safe riding and support for businesses in snow-belt regions.

International Quirkyalone Day is a celebration of individuality and all forms of love, including friendship, family, and self-respect. It was founded in 2003 by Sasha Cagen, who coined the term quirkyalone for people who are comfortable being single and prefer meaningful relationships over casual dating. The day offers an alternative to traditional Valentine’s expectations by encouraging people—single or partnered—to value independence, authenticity, and personal choice.

League of Women Voters Day marks the founding of the League of Women Voters in 1920. The organization was created by suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt during the final convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, shortly before the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The observance recognizes the League’s work in voter education, registration efforts, and advocacy for fair and accessible elections across the United States.

National Black Literacy Day was founded in 2021 by DL Mullen, owner of Semicolon Bookstore in Chicago, with support from a mayoral proclamation. Observed during Black History Month, the date honors the chosen birthday of Frederick Douglass, who connected literacy with freedom. The day promotes reading and writing as tools for empowerment, supports Black authors and bookstores, and highlights the need to expand literacy access in underserved communities.

National Call in Single Day is an alternative to Valentine’s Day. It encourages single people to call in by taking time off from romantic expectations and focusing on themselves instead. Many mark the day by planning a personal treat, enjoying a favorite activity, or simply choosing how they want to spend February 14 without pressure.

National Condom Day raises awareness about safe sex practices, STI prevention, and sexual health. Originating in the late 1980s, it encourages open conversations about sexual wellness. The day is part of Condom Week and Condom Month, aligning with ongoing public health efforts. 💞 A similar global event, International Condom Day, takes place on February 13.

National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day is promoted by the confectionery industry, including the National Confectioners Association, and highlights filled chocolates as a traditional February 14 gift. Cream-centered sweets—such as vanilla, chocolate, and fruit ganache—became popular in the 19th century when chocolatiers like Richard Cadbury introduced decorated gift boxes that shaped modern chocolate-giving customs.

🍫 For even more chocolate-themed national days, be sure to check out our dedicated list and celebrate chocolate all year long! 🎉🍩🍪

National Ferris Wheel Day honors George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., whose birthday the observance marks. He designed the first Ferris Wheel for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago as a bold engineering answer to the Eiffel Tower. The original wheel became a centerpiece of the fair, and today Ferris wheels remain familiar attractions at amusement parks, fairs, and city skylines around the world.

National Ferris Wheel Day

National Impotence Day raises awareness about erectile dysfunction (ED) and seems to reduce stigma around seeking help. The campaign was supported in the United Kingdom by the Sexual Advice Association, with parliamentary backing recorded in the early 2000s. The day explains that ED is often linked to underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure and encourages men to speak with healthcare professionals, using the timing of Valentine’s Day to prompt open conversations about sexual and overall health.

National Library Lover’s Day began in 2006 at the State Library of New South Wales and later gained support from the Australian Library and Information Association. It recognizes libraries and librarians as essential parts of community life. The day encourages people to visit their local library, explore books and digital resources, and value the free access to information, study space, and programs that libraries provide.

National Organ Donor Day, also known as National Donor Day, was founded in 1998 by the Saturn Corporation and the United Auto Workers with support from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It promotes organ, eye, tissue, marrow, platelet, and blood donation, honors those who have donated, and encourages people to register as donors. The day highlights the ongoing need for transplants, with more than 100,000 people in the United States waiting for lifesaving matches.

Pet Theft Awareness Day was founded in 1988 by Chris DeRose through the nonprofit Last Chance for Animals. It draws attention to pet abduction and the estimated millions of animals stolen each year in the United States. The day encourages safety steps such as microchipping, secure fencing, updated ID tags, and close supervision to help keep companion animals safe.

Read to Your Child Day encourages parents and caregivers to spend time reading aloud with children. The observance appeared in educational calendars by the early 1990s as a literacy initiative tied to Valentine’s Day. It promotes reading as a daily habit that builds vocabulary and thinking skills while strengthening the emotional connection between adult and child through shared attention and storytelling.

Valentine’s Day centers on expressing love and affection through cards, flowers and gifts. Its early roots are often linked to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February, and later to Saint Valentine, who, according to tradition, performed secret marriages. During the Middle Ages, the date became associated with courtly love, and by the 18th century people were exchanging handwritten notes and small tokens. Today it is observed worldwide, with many extending its focus beyond couples to include friends and family.

Valentine’s Day

World Bonobo Day was established in 2017 by the Bonobo Conservation Initiative, this day raises awareness about bonobos, our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. These peaceful primates, found only in the Congo Basin, face threats from habitat loss and poaching. Conservation efforts aim to protect them and their ecosystems.

World Sound Healing Day, created in 2003 by sound healer Jonathan Goldman, explores the benefits of sound therapy for personal and global healing. Participants use their voices, instruments, or recorded sounds to generate positive energy. The event promotes peace, wellness, and the transformative power of sound.