July 17 National Days

July 17 is the 198th day of the year (199th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining until year’s end. Today’s seven national and international days span everything from global justice and historical events to sweet treats, math fun, and modern communication.

National Days on July 17th — July 17th National Days

Whether you’re interested in history, science, food, or self-expression, July 17 offers meaningful opportunities to learn and celebrate.

National and International Days on July 17

Day for International Criminal Justice was established in 2010 at the Review Conference of the Rome Statute, this day commemorates the adoption of the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty on July 17, 1998. The ICC, based in The Hague, prosecutes individuals for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. The day promotes global justice, supports victims’ rights, and emphasizes international cooperation to prevent crimes that threaten peace and security.

National Lottery Day was established in 2018 by the Massachusetts State Lottery to highlight the role of lotteries in supporting public programs. Lotteries have a long history dating back to the 15th century in Europe, where they helped fund community needs like feeding the poor and strengthening city defenses. In early U.S. history, lotteries paid for roads, schools, and even cannons during the American Revolution. Today, state-run lotteries continue to generate revenue for education, infrastructure, and local aid.

National Peach Ice Cream Day honors the refreshing combination of peaches and creamy ice cream—a classic way to cool down during the summer. Peaches have been grown in America since the 1600s and were enjoyed by historical figures like George Washington. Ice cream-like desserts have even deeper roots, with early versions appearing in China before spreading to Europe. By the 18th and 19th centuries, “iced creams” featuring seasonal fruits became popular in the United States.

🍨 A related celebration is Peach Melba Day, observed on January 13, which honors the classic dessert made with peaches, raspberry sauce, and vanilla ice cream. See also our complete list of ice cream-themed national days.

National Tattoo Day celebrates the long history and cultural significance of tattooing as a form of personal expression and identity. The practice of permanently marking the skin dates back thousands of years, with evidence found on Egyptian mummies and ancient ice corpses. The word “tattoo” comes from the Polynesian word tatau, meaning “to mark”. In the United States, tattooing gained popularity through sailors who brought the art form home from overseas. Today, tattoos are embraced by people of all backgrounds for artistic, spiritual, or personal reasons. This day recognizes both the artists who create tattoos and the individuals who wear them as meaningful symbols.

National Yellow Pig Day began in the early 1960s when two mathematicians, Michael Spivak and David Kelly, became fascinated with the number 17 and created the fictional “yellow pig” with 17 of everything—teeth, toes, eyelashes, and so on. What started as a quirky inside joke turned into an annual celebration among math students and educators. The day is now marked with math puzzles, themed treats, songs, and yellow pig imagery. It’s a fun way to spark interest in mathematics while honoring creativity in academic traditions.

National Wrong Way Corrigan Day honors Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan, an aviator who became a folk hero in 1938 after flying from New York to Ireland—despite filing a flight plan for California. Officials had denied him permission to make a transatlantic flight, so when he “accidentally” landed in Dublin, many believed it was an intentional act of defiance. His bold move captured public imagination and became a symbol of persistence, rebellion, and the thrill of unexpected adventures. The day reminds us that sometimes mistakes—or detours—lead to memorable stories.

World Emoji Day celebrates the global impact of emojis on digital communication. The date was chosen because it appears on the calendar emoji 📅 on Apple devices, referencing the day Apple first introduced its iCal app in 2002. Founded in 2014 by Emojipedia creator Jeremy Burge, the day has become a time for companies to announce new emojis and for people to reflect on how these small symbols have changed the way we express emotions, ideas, and culture online. World Emoji Day highlights the growing role of visual language in a connected world.