January 28 National Days

January 28, 2026, is the 28th day of the year, with 337 days remaining, and it falls on a Wednesday in the fourth week of the calendar year.

For this date, we highlight International Lego Day for creativity and hands-on learning, National Blueberry Pancake Day as a food-themed observance, Library Shelfie Day for its focus on books and library spaces, and National Pediatrician Day for recognizing doctors who support children’s health and development.

Below is the full list of 15 national and international days observed on January 28, each explained briefly.

National & International Days on January 28

Christa McAuliffe Day was established in 2017 by the New Hampshire State Legislature to honor Christa McAuliffe, a Concord teacher chosen to join a NASA space mission. She and her crewmates died when the Challenger shuttle broke apart shortly after liftoff on January 28, 1986. The observance recognizes her impact on education through scholarships, learning centers, and her influence on students and teachers.

Data Privacy Day, known in Europe as Data Protection Day, was established in 2007 by the Council of Europe to mark the 1981 signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international agreement on personal data protection. The observance explains how personal information is collected, used, and protected in digital spaces. In North America, it is led by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and expanded into Data Privacy Week* (January 26 to 30, 2026) to support education on online safety and digital footprints.

Global Community Engagement Day was established in 2017 by Engage2Serve to encourage active involvement in local communities. The observance focuses on volunteering, collaboration, and local action as ways to address social issues and build a sense of belonging. It also emphasizes including community voices in decisions made by schools, businesses, and public institutions.

Library Shelfie Day* (Fourth Wednesday in January) was established in 2014 by the New York Public Library as a social media campaign celebrating books and library spaces. The observance invites readers, librarians, and visitors to share “shelfies,” photos taken in front of favorite bookshelves, to show their love of reading. It also helps libraries highlight their role in providing free access to information, learning resources, and community spaces.

📚 See also the ultimate list of bookish national days and months and celebrate your love for reading all year round! 🎉📖✨

International Lego Day, also known as Lego Day, marks the date in 1958 when Godtfred Kirk Christiansen filed the patent for the modern LEGO brick. While LEGO bricks first appeared in 1949, the 1958 stud-and-tube design allowed pieces to lock together securely and be reused in many ways. The observance highlights creativity and learning through building, with a focus on problem-solving, basic engineering skills, and imaginative play.

International Lego Day

International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day, also known as World Day for the Reduction of CO2 Emissions, was designated by the United Nations to raise awareness about lowering carbon dioxide emissions linked to climate change. The observance explains how CO₂ and other greenhouse gases affect the planet and why reducing emissions matters for ecosystems, human health, and future resources. It also points to solutions such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and cleaner technologies that reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

National Blueberry Pancake Day celebrates a popular variation of the classic American breakfast. The observance centers on enjoying pancakes filled or topped with blueberries, often served with whipped cream and maple syrup.

🥞 Did you know there are several national days dedicated to pancakes? The most important is National Pancake Day, celebrated on September 26.

National Daisy Day honors the daisy, a flower symbolizing innocence, purity, and love. Known as the common daisy or English daisy, it has been celebrated for over a century as a reminder of the beauty of nature.

National Gift of the Ladybug Day was established in 2014 by Polly Moore in memory of her son, Pollo. Inspired by her book Gift of the Ladybug, the observance uses the ladybug as a symbol for children living with serious or life-limiting illnesses. The day promotes compassion and awareness by encouraging people to see each child beyond medical conditions and to support pediatric healthcare and hospice services.

National Kazoo Day was founded in 1983 by Willard Scott of the Joyful Noise kazoo band to celebrate the kazoo, the only musical instrument invented in the United States.

National Kazoo Day

National Pediatrician Day, also known as National Pediatrics Day, recognizes doctors who care for children’s health from birth through young adulthood. It acknowledges the early influence of leaders such as Abraham Jacobi and highlights pediatricians’ role in preventive care, early diagnosis, and guidance for families.

National Pop Art Day was established in 2004 by American artist Bob Rizzo to recognize the pop art movement that began in the mid-1950s. The observance explains how pop art broke from traditional fine art by using images from advertising, comics, and everyday products. This style is closely linked to artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

Rattlesnake Roundup Day refers to rattlesnake roundup events that began in 1958 in Sweetwater, organized by the Jaycees to reduce feared snake encounters and raise local funds. The observance now reflects debate between those who view the events as tradition and safety measures and conservation groups that promote education and non-lethal protection of rattlesnakes and their ecological role.

🐍 A related observance is the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup, held in mid-March in Sweetwater, which combines educational programs, community festivals, and regulated rattlesnake population management.

Thank a Plugin Developer Day was created in 2014 by the WordPress community to recognize developers who build and maintain plugins used on millions of websites. The day encourages users to say thanks, often with #wpthanks, and highlights that many plugin developers work without pay while creating tools for security, search optimization, and online sales.

World Geoffroy’s Cat Day was established in 2021 by Amazing Animals Inc. to promote conservation of the Geoffroy’s cat, a small wild cat native to South America. The species is named after French naturalist Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire and is threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and vehicle collisions. The observance focuses on education and fundraising led by conservation groups to protect the species and explain its role in controlling rodent populations and supporting healthy ecosystems.