January 27 National Days

January 27, 2026, is the 27th day of the year, with 338 days remaining, and it falls on a Tuesday in the fourth week of the calendar year.

On this date, Holocaust Remembrance Day and Vietnam Peace Day focus attention on historical events and their impact. The date also marks the 138th anniversary of National Geographic, highlighting its role in exploration, science, and visual storytelling. And of course, National Chocolate Cake Day takes the stage as one of the most widely recognized food observances on the calendar.

Below is a list of all 10 national and international days observed on January 27, each explained briefly.

National & International Days on January 27

Family Literacy Day 🇨🇦 was established in 1999 by ABC Life Literacy Canada with founding sponsor Honda Canada to highlight the value of learning together at home. The observance promotes shared activities such as reading, storytelling, and word games, encouraging families to spend at least 15 minutes a day building children’s skills while also supporting adult literacy.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day was established in 2005 by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 60/7. The date marks the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops. The observance honors the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of others persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime, while supporting education that helps prevent genocide and challenge antisemitism and xenophobia.

National Chocolate Cake Day highlights the history of chocolate cake, from the first published recipe by Eliza Leslie in 1847 to the spread of boxed cake mixes in the mid-20th century that made it easier to bake at home. The observance focuses on how the dessert developed over time and encourages enjoying different styles, from molten lava and fudge cakes to German chocolate cake.

🍫 Discover 79+ chocolate-related national days gathered in one ultimate list. Your sweet tooth will thank you!

National Geographic Day in 2026 marks 138 years since the founding of the National Geographic Society in 1888, recognizing its long tradition of exploring the natural world, documenting human cultures, and sharing scientific knowledge with a global audience.

National Plan for Vacation Day* (Last Tuesday in January) was established in 2017 by the U.S. Travel Association through its Project: Time Off initiative. The day encourages people to plan their paid time off early in the year, drawing attention to how many vacation days go unused and why taking time away from work supports well-being, relationships, productivity, and the wider economy.

Punch the Clock Day marks the 1888 invention of the employee time clock by Willard Le Grand Bundy of Auburn, New York, a mechanical device that recorded when workers started and finished their shifts by stamping the time on a paper card. Before this invention, work hours were written down by hand, which often led to mistakes or disputes. The time clock introduced a standardized way to track hours, helping employers calculate wages more accurately and giving hourly workers clear, physical proof of the time they worked.

Speak Up and Succeed Day* (Fourth Tuesday in January) was established by Mary-Ellen Drummond to emphasize the value of confident speaking and clear communication. The observance encourages people to address common fears around public speaking by sharing ideas, participating in discussions, or leading presentations, highlighting how using one’s voice can influence others and support personal and professional development.

Thomas Crapper Day marks the 1910 death anniversary of Thomas Crapper. While he did not invent the flush toilet, he helped improve modern sanitation through innovations such as the floating ballcock and the U-bend trap, and by opening the world’s first bathroom showroom in 1870. The day recognizes his role in promoting indoor plumbing and the legacy of his name.

🚽 A similar day, World Toilet Day, is observed on November 19 to address the global sanitation crisis.

Vietnam Peace Day marks the anniversary of the 1973 signing of the Paris Peace Accords, which formally ended direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. The agreement was signed by the United States, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the Viet Cong after negotiations led by Henry Kissinger and Lê Đức Thọ, leading to a ceasefire and the return of prisoners of war.

World Breast Pumping Day was established in 2017 by Wendy Armbruster, founder of Snugabell, to normalize breast pumping as a way of feeding babies. The observance explains that pumping allows parents to provide breast milk when direct nursing is not possible, such as during work hours or medical separation, and highlights the time, planning, and physical effort involved. It also raises awareness of the need for supportive workplace policies and healthcare practices that allow pumping parents to feed their infants safely and consistently.

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