March 19, 2026, is the 78th day of the year, with 287 days remaining, and it falls on a Thursday — the third Thursday in March — in the twelfth week of the year.
With 16 national and international days on the calendar, March 19 is a Thursday full of variety — from telling the kids in your life how incredible they are and celebrating certified nurses to honoring Saint Joseph and letting yourself laugh out loud.
National Days on March 19
All national & international days celebrated today
16 celebrations on this dayNational Let’s Laugh Day
A reminder that laughter really is good medicine. Today’s the perfect excuse to share a joke, watch something funny, and let yourself laugh without reservation.
National Certified Nurses Day
Honoring nurses who have earned national board certification in their specialty — a mark of exceptional commitment to patient care and professional excellence.
Feast of Saint Joseph
The principal feast day of Saint Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus — celebrated across Catholic and many Latin communities worldwide.
Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
A day to write a letter, send a note, or simply tell the young people in your life exactly why they are absolutely incredible.
Here’s every observance celebrated on March 19, 2026.
National & International Days on March 19
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a parent, a backyard lover, or simply someone who could do with a good laugh today, there’s something on this list for everyone. Here’s the story behind each of these March 19 celebrations.
Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
Absolutely Incredible Kid Day* (Third Thursday in March) encourages adults to tell kids how incredible they are. A spoken compliment can boost a child’s confidence, but writing it down in a letter or note makes it even more meaningful. Camp Fire, one of America’s oldest youth development organizations, founded the day in 1997 as a nationwide letter-writing campaign.
Companies That Care Day
Companies That Care Day* (Third Thursday in March) celebrates businesses that prioritize employee well-being and give back to their communities. The Center for Companies That Care, a nonprofit founded in 2003, created the day in 2006. Employers of all sizes are encouraged to take part and recognize their workers and strengthen their community ties.
International Client’s Day
International Client’s Day gives business owners a chance to celebrate their clients and the role they play in every company’s success. The observance was started in 2010 in Klaipėda, Lithuania, by entrepreneur Filip Borcov, who felt that no holiday existed to celebrate clients, the most important part of any business. The idea quickly spread, and businesses around the world now mark the day with special offers, personalized messages, and promotions.
International Read to Me Day
International Read to Me Day encourages children to ask the adults in their lives to read to them. The day was founded in 2018 by Australian author and literacy advocate Emma Mactaggart through her organization Child Writes. Reading aloud to children strengthens language skills, builds emotional connections, and fosters a lifelong love of books. Since its launch in Australia, the day has spread to countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Panama, and Iran.
📚 Discover the ultimate list of bookish national days and months and celebrate your love for reading all year round!
National Automatic Door Day
National Automatic Door Day highlights the role of automatic doors in everyday life. The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) established the day in 2021. Automatic doors improve accessibility for people with mobility challenges, reduce the spread of germs by eliminating touchpoints, and make public buildings more efficient.
National Backyard Day
National Backyard Day celebrates the backyard as a personal retreat and an extension of the home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, backyards became essential spaces for comfort, recreation, and connection. ZYRTEC®, an allergy relief brand that has long championed outdoor living, designated March 19, 2021, as the first National Backyard Day to mark the anniversary of that shift. The day encourages people to step outside and appreciate their green spaces, whether a sprawling yard, a small balcony, a porch, or a community garden.
National Certified Nurses Day
National Certified Nurses Day honors nurses who have earned specialty certifications. These credentials demonstrate advanced knowledge and a commitment to high-quality patient care. The day falls on the birthday of Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles (March 19, 1930–November 20, 2005), who pioneered the field of nursing credentialing. In the 1970s, Dr. Styles conducted the first comprehensive study of nurse credentials. She later played a key role in creating the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). In 2008, the American Nurses Association and the ANCC established Certified Nurses Day in her honor.
National Chocolate Caramel Day
National Chocolate Caramel Day celebrates the beloved combination of chocolate and caramel. The pairing dates back to at least the 1880s, and Milton Hershey helped popularize it through his chocolate-covered caramels in the 1890s.
🍫 Discover 79+ chocolate-related national days gathered in one ultimate list.
National Close the Gap Day
National Close the Gap Day 🇦🇺* (Third Thursday in March) is an Australian day of action that advocates for health equity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A coalition of peak health organizations launched the Close the Gap campaign in 2006, and the first National Close the Gap Day was held in 2007. Life expectancy in Indigenous communities remains 10 to 17 years lower than that of non-Indigenous Australians. Events across the country encourage people to take action toward closing this gap.
National Farm Rescuer Day
National Farm Rescuer Day* (Third Thursday in March) recognizes volunteers who help farmers in crisis due to illness, injury, or natural disaster. Farm Rescue, a nonprofit founded in 2005 by Bill Gross, has assisted hundreds of farm families across the Midwest and Great Plains. Volunteers plant crops, bale hay, and harvest fields when farming families cannot. Farm Rescue established the day in 2017 to honor these helpers and inspire more support.
National Let’s Laugh Day
National Let’s Laugh Day is a reminder to enjoy humor and lighten the mood. Whether through jokes, funny movies, or time with loved ones, the day encourages people to seek out laughter. Research suggests that laughing reduces stress, boosts the immune system, and strengthens social connections.
National Poultry Day
National Poultry Day recognizes the role of poultry in agriculture and food production. Chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other domesticated birds have been essential sources of eggs and meat for centuries. The exact origins of the day are unclear, but it has been observed since at least 2004.
National Stretch Mark Day
National Stretch Mark Day promotes body positivity by encouraging people to embrace their stretch marks as a natural part of life. Stretch marks are common results of growth, pregnancy, or weight changes. Anya Harris created the day in 2019 to challenge the stigma around them and foster self-love.
Oranges and Lemons Day
Oranges and Lemons Day 🇬🇧* (Third Thursday in March) is a London tradition tied to St. Clement Danes Church and the famous nursery rhyme of the same name. In 1919, Reverend William Pennington-Bickford had the church’s bells restored to play the tune. The following year, a special service was held and each child received an orange and a lemon. The celebration has continued ever since, even surviving the Blitz of 1941. It was originally held on March 31 but later moved to the third Thursday in March.
