January 23 National Days

January 23, 2026, is the 23rd day of the year, with 342 days remaining, and it falls on a Friday in the fourth week of the year.

The date highlights classic pies and the role of handwriting in a screen-dominated world, drawing attention to hands-on traditions that connect generations through food and to the continued relevance of writing by hand for learning, memory, and personal expression.

Below is a list of all 10 national and international days observed on January 23, each explained briefly.

National & International Days on January 23

International Sticky Toffee Pudding Day recognizes the British dessert made from a moist date sponge topped with warm toffee sauce. In Australia and New Zealand, it is known as sticky date pudding. The dish gained wider recognition in the 1970s through the work of Francis Coulson and Robert Lee at Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel, where it became a signature dessert and helped shape its modern place in British cuisine.

Maternal Health Awareness Day addresses the U.S. maternal mortality crisis by promoting safer care during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Established in 2017 by the New Jersey after advocacy from the Tara Hansen Foundation, the observance honors Tara Hansen, who died from an undetected postpartum infection. It expanded nationally in 2021 through the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The focus is on educating clinicians and families about warning signs and risk factors, reducing racial and geographic disparities in care, and preventing maternal deaths, over 80% of which are considered preventable.

National Activity Professionals Day* (Fourth Friday in January) honors specialists who design and lead social, recreational, and therapeutic programs in senior living and geriatric care settings. Established in 1984 by the National Association of Activity Professionals, the day highlights their role in supporting cognitive health, emotional well-being, and community connection in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

National Handwriting Day encourages people to reconnect with handwriting as a skill that supports personal expression, memory, and cognitive development in a screen-dominated world. Established in 1977 by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association, the observance emphasizes that handwriting still has a practical place in modern communication. January 23 marks the birthday of John Hancock, whose prominent signature became a symbol of handwritten identity.

National Measure Your Feet Day raises awareness about proper shoe fit and its role in foot health and physical comfort. It notes that adult foot size can change over time due to aging, weight changes, or pregnancy, and that wearing incorrectly sized shoes can lead to foot pain, bunions, and postural strain.

National Pie Day focuses on preserving pie-baking traditions and recognizing pie’s role in American hospitality and home cooking. It was founded in 1975 by Charlie Papazian, who chose his birthday for the celebration. In 1986, sponsorship by the American Pie Council helped formalize the day.

National Report Pharmaceutical Fraud Day raises awareness of fraud within Medicare and the broader healthcare system linked to pharmaceutical companies. Established in 2017 by Joel D. Hesch, a former official at the United States Department of Justice and member of the Pharmaceutical Fraud Task Force, the observance educates the public about illegal practices such as falsifying drug safety data, promoting unapproved uses, and paying kickbacks to influence prescribing. It also explains how suspected violations can be reported through whistleblower programs, which may offer financial rewards when recovered funds are returned to the government.

National Rhubarb Pie Day highlights rhubarb’s distinctive place in American baking, where a tart stalk traditionally classified as a vegetable became a sweet pie filling known as the pie plant. Its purpose is to explain how culinary use reshaped rhubarb’s identity, reinforced by a 1947 New York court decision that classified rhubarb as a fruit for tax purposes because it was primarily used in desserts. The observance aligns with National Pie Day, founded in 1975 by Charlie Papazian in honor of his birthday.

🥧🍓 A related celebration, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day, is help annually on June 9.

National Security Technician Day recognizes professionals who install and maintain systems that protect homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Established in 2022 through a collaboration between the Security Industry Association, the Electronic Security Association, and the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent, the observance was first officially marked in 2023. It draws attention to the essential work behind fire alarms, access control, surveillance, and other security technologies.

Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day acknowledges the occasional collision between snowplows and roadside mailboxes during heavy snowfalls. It’s a playful nod to winter challenges.

National Days in January

January 1 | January 2 | January 3 | January 4 | January 5 | January 6 | January 7 | January 8 | January 9 | January 10 | January 11 | January 12 | January 13 | January 14 | January 15 | January 16 | January 17 | January 18 | January 19 | January 20 | January 21 | January 22 | January 23 | January 24 | January 25 | January 26 | January 27 | January 28 | January 29 | January 30 | January 31