February 26 National Days

February 26 is the 57th day of the year, with 308 days remaining (309 in leap years). On this day, 12 national and international observances encourage acts of kindness, nostalgia, food appreciation, and cultural awareness.

From writing heartfelt letters to elders and telling fairy tales to enjoying pistachios, February 26 offers a variety of meaningful ways to celebrate.

Let’s take a look at the national and international days observed on February 26!

National and International Days on February 26

For Pete’s Sake Day: This humorous observance highlights the history of the phrase “for Pete’s sake“, a euphemism for “for God’s sake” or “for Christ’s sake”. The phrase was likely used as a more polite alternative to swearing and has been around since at least 1903. The celebration was created in the early 2000s by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, who introduced various quirky observances to the calendar. On this day, people recognize the humor in language, minced oaths, and expressions used to avoid more explicit phrases.

Inconvenience Yourself Day* (Fourth Wednesday in February): Created in 2006 by environmental consultant Julie Thompson, this day encourages people to go out of their way to help others. It’s not about making life difficult for oneself but about making small, meaningful efforts to brighten someone else’s day. Whether it’s holding the door open, letting someone go ahead in line, or checking in on a friend, small acts of kindness add up. It is often compared to Random Acts of Kindness Day, World Kindness Day, and National Do Something Nice Day.

Levi Strauss Day: Celebrating Levi Strauss, the creator of blue jeans, this day honors his legacy as a German-American businessman who revolutionized durable workwear. Born on February 26, 1829, Strauss partnered with Jacob W. Davis in the 1870s to create denim pants reinforced with copper rivets, leading to the first-ever Levi’s jeans. Although some celebrate May 20 (the date the patent was granted in 1873), February 26 marks the birth anniversary of the man behind one of the most iconic clothing items in history.

National Carpe Diem Day: Inspired by the Latin phrase “seize the day“, this observance was founded in honor of Craig Dunham, who battled ALS and inspired his close friend Yvette Francino to live life to the fullest. After raising over $12,000 for ALS research in 2014, Francino continued promoting a lifestyle of embracing new experiences, joy, and meaningful connections. The observance encourages people to take chances, cherish moments, and make the most of each day.

National Letter to an Elder Day: Founded in 2020 by Love for Our Elders, this day encourages people to write handwritten letters to elders who may be feeling lonely or isolated. Inspired by Jacob Cramer, who started writing letters to seniors after the passing of his grandfather, this initiative has grown into a worldwide movement with 50,000+ letter writers. February 26 was chosen as it coincides with the birthday of Jacob’s grandmother, Doris.

National Pistachio Day: This day celebrates the pistachio nut, which has been cultivated for over 7,000 years. While pistachios arrived in the United States in the 1880s, they have a deep history in the Middle East, where trees have been known to live for over 700 years. The nuts take 7–10 years to mature and are enjoyed in various forms, from snacks to desserts like pistachio ice cream.

National Set A Good Example Day: Founded by The Way to Happiness Foundation in 2022, this observance promotes leading by example and encouraging kindness. Whether through mentoring, volunteering, or simply showing respect to others, the day reminds people that positive actions inspire others to do the same.

National Tell a Fairy Tale Day: This celebration encourages storytelling, whether reading classic fairy tales or creating original ones. Fairy tales originated as oral traditions, often with darker themes than the versions told today. Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Hans Christian Andersen’s stories, and Aesop’s fables have all contributed to shaping modern fairy tales. On this day, people are encouraged to share, write, or reenact fairy tales to keep storytelling traditions alive.

Thermos Bottle Day: This day celebrates the Thermos, a brand name that became synonymous with vacuum flasks. Originally designed to store liquefied gas, the Thermos brand was patented in 1904 by Reinhold Burger. The technology was based on James Dewar’s invention of the vacuum flask in the late 19th century, but Thermos commercialized it for everyday use. Over time, Thermos flasks became common for keeping beverages hot or cold, and the brand name became a household term for all vacuum-insulated containers.

Twin Peaks Day: This day commemorates the cult TV series “Twin Peaks”, which premiered in 1990. Fans celebrate the date FBI Agent Dale Cooper arrived in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington. Official recognition of Twin Peaks Day came in 2018, when the mayors of Snoqualmie and North Bend, Washington (where much of the show was filmed) proclaimed it an official day. Fans observe it by watching episodes, visiting filming locations, and enjoying themed food like cherry pie and coffee.

World Bartender Day: This international observance celebrates bartenders and their craft, recognizing the role they play in hospitality and social gatherings. Bartending dates back to the 1400s, with innkeepers and alehouses serving drinks to travelers. In 1862, Jerry Thomas, a legendary American bartender, published The Bar-tender’s Guide, the first cocktail book in the U.S. World Bartender Day was founded in 2018 by The Perfect Blend, a bartending competition in Australia and New Zealand, to celebrate bartenders’ skills, creativity, and service.

🍹 Curious about other alcohol and drinking-related national days? We’ve created a special list for you! 🥂🎉

National Personal Chef Day* (Sometimes observed on February 26 but more commonly on July 16): This day recognizes personal chefs, who provide customized culinary services to individuals, families, and events. While professional chefs have long been associated with restaurants and catering, personal chefs create personalized meal experiences in private homes. The observance acknowledges their expertise, creativity, and the convenience they offer to clients.

February 26 brings a mix of historical, cultural, and fun celebrations, from honoring Levi Strauss and bartenders to enjoying tortilla chips and fairy tales.

Which of these observances will you be celebrating today?