March 29, 2026, is the 88th day of the year, with 277 days remaining, and it falls on a Sunday — the last Sunday in March — in the thirteenth week of the year.
With 15 national and international days on the calendar, March 29 is a Sunday of real variety, ranging from Palm Sunday marking the start of Holy Week and World Piano Day landing on the 88th day of the year to National Vietnam War Veterans Day and the extraordinary night in 1848 when Niagara Falls ran dry.
National Days on March 29
All national & international days celebrated today
15 celebrations on this dayPalm Sunday
The Sunday before Easter, marking Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Churches around the world distribute palm fronds and begin Holy Week — the most sacred week in the Christian calendar.
World Piano Day
Celebrated on the 88th day of the year — one for each key on a piano — this global day honours the instrument, its players, composers, builders, and the music it creates.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
Honouring the service and sacrifice of the men and women who served during the Vietnam War — observed on the anniversary of the withdrawal of the last U.S. combat troops in 1973.
Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day
Commemorating the remarkable night of March 29, 1848, when an ice blockage on Lake Erie completely stopped the flow of Niagara Falls for several hours — the only time in recorded history.
Here’s every observance celebrated on March 29, 2026.
National & International Days on March 29
Whether you’re attending Palm Sunday services, playing a piano piece for the 88th day of the year, honouring a Vietnam veteran, or simply eating a lemon chiffon cake and wondering about mermaids, there’s something on this list for everyone. Here’s the story behind each of these March 29 celebrations.
Education and Sharing Day
Education and Sharing Day* (Date varies) is held on the birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a prominent 20th-century Jewish leader whose influence extended well beyond his own community. Established by Congress in 1978, the day falls on the 11th of Nissan on the Hebrew calendar (four days before Passover) which places it somewhere between March 21 and April 21 each year. The Rabbi championed the idea that education should develop character and moral judgment, not just academic skill, and every U.S. president since Carter has marked the occasion with a formal proclamation.
Mermaid Day
Mermaid Day celebrates the place of mermaids across mythology, history, and popular culture. Half-human, half-fish figures appear in folklore worldwide, from ancient Assyrian myth to Greek and Scandinavian traditions. The date gained traction in 2018 when the TV network Freeform tied it to the premiere of its fantasy series Siren.
National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day
National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day celebrates a dessert prized for its light texture and bright citrus flavor. The chiffon cake was invented in 1927 by Harry Baker, a Los Angeles caterer who used vegetable oil instead of butter and folded in whipped egg whites to create something lighter than angel food cake but richer than sponge cake. He kept the recipe secret for 20 years before selling it to General Mills in 1947, who published it through Betty Crocker the following year.
National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day
National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day recognizes the dedication behind small, family-owned businesses. The day was founded by Rick and Margie Segel to honor Rick’s parents, who built a small hat shop outside Boston into a thriving 10,000-square-foot clothing store over several decades. It serves as a reminder to support the independent businesses that create jobs, strengthen local economies, and shape the character of their communities.
National Nevada Day
National Nevada Day celebrates Nevada as the 36th state admitted to the Union. Nevada became a state on October 31, 1864, during the Civil War, which inspired its motto Battle Born. President Abraham Lincoln fast-tracked its statehood just eight days before his reelection, partly to secure electoral support, even though the territory’s population fell short of the standard requirement. A silver mining boom driven by the 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode had made that population growth possible in the first place.
National Pita Day
National Pita Day celebrates one of the world’s oldest breads, with origins tracing back over 14,000 years to the ancient Middle East. Modern pita is recognized by its pocket, which forms naturally when steam puffs up the dough during baking, making it ideal for wrapping, stuffing, and dipping across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. The day first appeared on social media in 2021 and has no verified founder.
National Smoke and Mirrors Day
National Smoke and Mirrors Day honors the art of illusion and invites people to question what they see. The phrase smoke and mirrors traces back to 18th century stage magic, where illusionists used those tools to make objects appear to float. It has since become a common expression for anything deceptive or misleading. With unknown origins, the day celebrates magicians and reminds us that things are not always as they appear.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
National Vietnam War Veterans Day honors the more than 2.7 million Americans who served during the Vietnam War, over 58,000 of whom lost their lives. The date marks the 1973 departure of the last U.S. combat troops from South Vietnam. First proclaimed by President Obama in 2012, the observance was made permanent when President Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act into law in 2017.
Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day
Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day commemorates a remarkable moment in 1848 when strong winds drove an enormous mass of ice from Lake Erie into the mouth of the Niagara River. The resulting ice dam halted the flow of water over both the American and Horseshoe Falls for roughly 30 hours. Locals walked the exposed riverbed and discovered muskets and bayonets left over from the War of 1812, while others, fearing the worst, gathered in churches to pray. When the wind finally turned on the evening of March 31, the ice gave way and the falls returned.
Neighbours Every Day
Neighbours Every Day 🇦🇺* (Last Sunday in March) promotes belonging, inclusion, and strong community ties. The campaign encourages simple actions—like sharing a coffee or having a chat—to strengthen neighborhoods and foster respectful relationships. It’s part of an ongoing effort to make communities more connected and welcoming.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday* (One week before Easter) marks the start of Holy Week. According to all four Gospels, Jesus rode into Jerusalem to crowds who lined the road and greeted him with palm branches — a gesture traditionally reserved for kings and conquerors. For those who had been expecting a political liberator, the week that followed would not go as anticipated.
Payday It Forward
Payday It Forward is a day of kindness honoring young Black men and boys. Founded by Paula Long in memory of her son Paylor “PayDay” James Daniels, who was killed as a teenager, the day calls on people to see beyond stereotypes and offer the young men in their communities genuine respect, encouragement, and support.
Texas Loves the Children Day
Texas Loves the Children Day is a Texas state observance focused on child abuse prevention. Established in 2003 by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, it raises awareness of abuse and neglect, promotes community involvement in child safety, and recognizes the professionals and volunteers who support at-risk children throughout the state.
World Piano Day
World Piano Day* (88th day of the year, which falls on March 29 in regular years and March 28 in leap years) falls on the 88th day of the year, chosen to match the 88 keys of a standard piano, and was founded in 2015 by German pianist and composer Nils Frahm. The day celebrates everyone connected to the instrument, from performers and composers to builders, tuners, and listeners, through concerts, music releases, and events held across every continent.
