February 15, 2026, is the 46th day of the year, with 319 days remaining, and it falls on a Sunday in the seventh week of the year.
From honoring Susan B. Anthony’s fight for women’s rights to raising awareness for childhood cancer, celebrating hippos, and enjoying gumdrops, this day offers a range of ways to engage and reflect.
Below is a list of all 17 national and international days observed on February 15, each explained briefly.
National and International Days on February 15
Annoy Squidward Day comes from the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. In the 1999 episode Employee of the Month, the character Squidward Tentacles sarcastically asks if it is Annoy Squidward Day, and a calendar gag points to the 15th. Fans later adopted February 15 as the unofficial date. The observance exists purely as a joke, with viewers marking the day by sharing clips, quotes, and memes centered on Squidward’s constant frustration.
European Perioperative Nurses Day 🇪🇺 was established in 2009 by the European Operating Room Nurses Association. The day recognizes operating room nurses who care for patients before, during, and after surgery and help maintain safety in complex surgical settings. It highlights the specialized training these professionals require and promotes education and shared standards of practice across Europe.
International Angelman Day has been observed since 2013 to raise awareness of Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder that affects motor skills, speech, and development and occurs in about 1 in 15,000 people worldwide. It was founded by parents Ursula Christel in New Zealand and Sarah Roarty in Ireland to connect families and unite support organizations. Held in February during Rare Disease Month, the date refers to chromosome 15, which is linked to the condition. The day promotes research, fundraising, education, and community support for those living with the syndrome.
International Childhood Cancer Day was founded in 2002 by Childhood Cancer International, a network of parent and survivor groups. The day brings attention to the challenges faced by children and adolescents with cancer and the need for early diagnosis, research, and quality treatment. With more than 400,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide each year, the observance calls for equal access to care and long-term support for young patients and their families.
Love Reset Day is observed on February 15, the day after Valentine’s Day. It was founded in 2018 by Carla Lynne Hall, author of The Love Reset. The day encourages people to pause and reflect on the health of their relationships, and focus on self-worth, boundaries, and intentional choices moving forward.
Make Mine Chocolate Campaign* (February 15 to April 17, 2026) began in 2002 through the Columbus House Rabbit Society. The campaign addresses the number of rabbits abandoned after Easter by reminding families that rabbits require long-term care and can live more than ten years. It encourages choosing chocolate or plush bunnies instead of live animals and promotes responsible decisions before bringing a pet home.
National Black Girl Magic Day was founded in 2019 by Shacoua Thomas to recognize the accomplishments and resilience of Black women and girls. It is inspired by the #BlackGirlMagic movement, a term introduced in 2013 by CaShawn Thompson. The day highlights achievement, representation, and the importance of addressing the barriers Black women face. In 2023, the New York City Council officially designated February 15 as National Black Girl Magic Day in New York City.
National Flag of Canada Day 🇨🇦 commemorates February 15, 1965, when the red and white maple leaf flag was first raised on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The observance was formally established in 1996 by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc on the initiative of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. The flag itself was adopted after the Great Flag Debate led by Lester B. Pearson, with the final design created by historian George Stanley. The day recognizes the maple leaf flag as a national symbol of unity and shared values.
National Gumdrop Day is an annual food holiday that celebrates the cone-shaped, sugar-coated candy made from gelatin or starch. The observance has been noted since at least 2004. People often mark the day by enjoying classic fruity or spice flavors, revisiting games like Candy Land—which features Gumdrop Mountain—or trying homemade versions of the candy.
National I Want Butterscotch Day is a relatively recent celebration. While the holiday’s founder is unknown, the confection dates back to 1817, when it was reportedly created by Samuel Parkinson in Doncaster, England. The day encourages people to enjoy butterscotch in its many forms, from hard candies to puddings and dessert sauces.
National Wisconsin Day honors Wisconsin, the 30th state admitted to the Union on May 29, 1848. The observance began in 2017 and was formally recognized in 2019 when Governor Tony Evers proclaimed February 15 as National Wisconsin Day. It highlights the state’s history, industries such as dairy and brewing, labor activism, natural landscapes, and the communities that have shaped its identity.
Remember the Maine Day is observed on February 15 to mark the 1898 explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, which killed 266 American sailors. The disaster became a rallying cry—“Remember the Maine!”—widely promoted by publishers such as William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, and it helped build public support for the Spanish-American War. Although later investigations suggested the blast was likely caused by an internal accident, the date remains significant in U.S. naval history and in discussions about media influence during times of conflict.
Singles Awareness Day, also known as Singles Appreciation Day, is celebrated as an alternative to Valentine’s Day, this day reminds people that being single is not something to be ashamed of. It encourages self-love, independence, and appreciation for the benefits of single life. It has been recognized since at least 1999.
St. Skeletor’s Day was created in 1998 by British comedian Richard Herring as an alternative to Valentine’s Day. Named after Skeletor from Masters of the Universe, it invites singles to opt out of romantic expectations and commercial traditions for the day.
Susan B. Anthony Day honors Susan B. Anthony, a leader in the women’s suffrage movement, born on February 15, 1820. Her work helped pave the way for the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Many U.S. states recognize this day to celebrate her legacy and contributions to gender equality.
World Hippo Day raises awareness about the conservation of the hippopotamus, one of the world’s largest land mammals. Established in 2012 by groups including the Zambia Carnivore Programme and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the day highlights the hippos’s role in African river ecosystems and the threats it faces from habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.
World Whale Day* (Third Sunday in February) began in 1980 in Maui, Hawaii, founded by Greg Kauffman of the Pacific Whale Foundation. It started as a local celebration of humpback whales that migrate to Hawaiian waters each winter and later expanded to recognize all whale species. The day draws attention to threats such as pollution, ship strikes, climate change, and hunting, and supports efforts to protect whales and their ocean habitats.
National Days in February
February 1 | February 2 | February 3 | February 4 | February 5 | February 6 | February 7 | February 8 | February 9 | February 10 | February 11 | February 12 | February 13 | February 14 | February 15 | February 16 | February 17 | February 18 | February 19 | February 20 | February 21 | February 22 | February 23 | February 24 | February 25 | February 26 | February 27 | February 28
National Days by Month
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