March 12, 2026, is the 71st day of the year, with 294 days remaining, and it falls on a Thursday in the eleventh week of the year.
March 12 is a day to celebrate the dedication of working moms, enjoy some popcorn, and plant a little hope with a flower. It also brings together several important health observances — shining a light on conditions that affect millions worldwide.
National & International Days on March 12
Below is a list of all 13 national and international days observed on March 12, each explained briefly.
International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths
International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths (IAD4AD) was launched in 2023 by the Avoidable Deaths Network to draw attention to a largely overlooked problem: the people who survive a disaster but die in the weeks and months that follow due to inadequate healthcare, lack of shelter, or poor emergency response. The day pushes governments and organizations to recognize these deaths as preventable and improve disaster planning to stop them from happening.
International School Meals Day
International School Meals Day (ISMD)* (Second Thursday in March), first celebrated in 2013, raises awareness of the importance of good nutrition for children and its direct link to how well they learn and thrive in school. Born from a collaboration between the USA and Scotland, the day is now observed across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, supported by organizations like the World Food Programme and the Global Child Nutrition Foundation.
National Alfred Hitchcock Day
National Alfred Hitchcock Day honors the life and legacy of the Master of Suspense, one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history. While the origin of the date is unclear since his birthday falls on August 13, March 12 has become the designated day for fans to celebrate his lasting contribution to the thriller and horror genres.
National Baked Scallops Day
National Baked Scallops Day celebrates the scallop, a prized mollusk known for its sweet, buttery flavor, prepared in its most delicious form by baking it with breadcrumbs, herbs, and lemon.
National Girl Scout Day
National Girl Scout Day marks the anniversary of 1912, when founder Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low registered the first 18 Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia. She established the organization to empower young women to become independent, resourceful, and engaged citizens. Originally called the Girl Guides of America, the group was renamed Girl Scouts in 1913 and received its official congressional charter in 1950. The date serves as the centerpiece of Girl Scout Week* (March 8–14, 2026).
🏕️ A similar day, National Boy Scouts Day, is celebrated annually on February 8.
National Plant a Flower Day
National Plant a Flower Day marks the start of the spring planting season, encouraging people to get outdoors, connect with nature, and support their local ecosystems. The observance emerged as a community-driven initiative to promote gardening and celebrate the beauty of flowers, though its exact origins remain unknown.
National Skin Barrier Day
National Skin Barrier Day is an observance founded in 2025 by Eau Thermale Avène to raise awareness about the skin barrier’s role as the body’s primary defense system. The day aims to educate the public on how to maintain skin barrier health and provide clinically proven solutions for those with sensitive or compromised skin.
National Popcorn Lover’s Day
National Popcorn Lover’s Day* (Second Thursday in March) is a celebration dedicated to one of America’s most popular snacks. While National Popcorn Day already exists on January 19, this observance exists for true enthusiasts who feel the beloved snack deserves more than just one day of recognition per year.
National Working Moms Day
National Working Moms Day, established in 2020 by Working Moms of Milwaukee, honors women who balance careers and motherhood. The observance celebrates their resilience and the often invisible mental load they carry daily, while also serving as a platform to advocate for supportive workplace policies like paid parental leave, flexible scheduling, and affordable childcare.
World Alloimmunization and HDFN Awareness Day
World Alloimmunization and HDFN Awareness Day, founded in 2022 by the Allo Hope Foundation, raises visibility for Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN) — a rare pregnancy condition that can be life-threatening to babies. The observance educates families and providers on risks and treatments, advocates for timely screenings to prevent complications like fetal anemia, severe jaundice, and infant loss, and honors families who have navigated high-risk HDFN pregnancies.
World Day Against Cyber Censorship
World Day Against Cyber Censorship, launched in 2008 by Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International, calls for a free, open internet accessible to all. It highlights how governments restrict online speech and rallies opposition to the censorship and suppression of internet users worldwide.
World Glaucoma Day
World Glaucoma Day is the centerpiece of World Glaucoma Week* (March 8–14, 2026). It is a global initiative by the World Glaucoma Association to raise awareness about one of the world’s most dangerous eye conditions. Glaucoma affects 80 million people, yet has no early symptoms — by the time vision loss is noticed, up to 40% of the optic nerve may already be permanently damaged, making early detection critical.
World Kidney Day
World Kidney Day* (Second Thursday in March) raises awareness about kidney disease, a leading cause of death affecting 850 million people worldwide. Launched in 2006 by the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations, it highlights the silent nature of chronic kidney disease, which often shows no symptoms until advanced stages, and encourages routine screenings, particularly for those with diabetes, hypertension, or obesity.
