October 24, 2026 is the 297th day of the year, with 68 days left, and it falls on a Saturday in the 43rd ISO week. It is the fourth Saturday of October, which brings two moving-date observances to the calendar, and National Prescription Drug Take Back Day also lands here this year.
With 19 national and international days on the calendar, Saturday is packed with purpose, from United Nations Day and World Polio Day to World Origami Days and a few snack-sized salutes like National Bologna Day and National Good & Plenty Day. Here’s the story behind every celebration on October 24, from International Day of Climate Action to World Tripe Day.
National Days on October 24
All national & international days celebrated today
19 celebrations on this day Day 297 of 365 · 68 days left · week 43 · Scorpio season · 🌔 waxing gibbousUnited Nations Day
Marks the day the UN Charter entered into force in 1945. The General Assembly designated the day in 1947.
National Make A Difference Day
Created in 1992 by USA Weekend magazine with Points of Light, and held on the fourth Saturday of October.
World Origami Days
A two-and-a-half week celebration that begins on Lillian Oppenheimer’s birthday and ends on Origami Day in Japan, November 11.
National Food Day
Launched by CSPI in 1975 and revived as a national campaign in 2011, it spotlights hunger, food prices and diet-related health.
With just a week remaining until Halloween 🎃, October 24 invites both celebration and reflection through its wide range of 19 national and international observances.
National & International Days on October 24
Below is a list of all national and international days taking place on October 24, each with a brief explanation.
International Day of Climate Action
International Day of Climate Action, observed on October 24, raises awareness about climate change and encourages people to take steps to protect the environment. The day promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adopting sustainable habits, and supporting policies that address global warming.
The first International Day of Climate Action was organized in 2009 by 350.org, a climate movement co-founded by environmentalist Bill McKibben, with more than 5,200 events held across 181 countries.
International Freshwater Dolphin Day
International Freshwater Dolphin Day, also known as World River Dolphin Day, is observed on October 24 to raise awareness of endangered river dolphins and the need to protect their freshwater habitats from pollution, fishing nets, and dam construction. The observance was established in October 2009 during an international workshop on freshwater dolphin conservation in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, with the involvement of conservation experts and organizations associated with the IUCN.
My Best Winter Skin (MBWS) Day
My Best Winter Skin (MBWS) Day was created by the Skin of Color Society to promote awareness of how cold, dry weather affects skin health. The observance encourages people to learn how to protect their skin during the winter and supports the Society’s broader mission of education, mentorship, research, and advocacy in dermatology—especially in the field of skin of color.
National Bologna Day
National Bologna Day celebrates a smooth, seasoned sausage often used in sandwiches across the United States. Bologna is a type of deli meat made from finely ground beef, pork, or a mix of both. It’s usually cooked, smoked, and sliced thin for easy use in cold or fried sandwiches. The name comes from Bologna, Italy, where a similar meat called mortadella was first made centuries ago. The American version became popular because it was inexpensive and easy to store.
National Crazy Day
National Crazy Day encourages people to break from their usual routines, embrace their quirky side, and have fun doing something unexpected. The observance celebrates individuality, creativity, and the freedom to be a little unconventional.
National Food Day
National Food Day highlights the importance of eating real, nutritious food and creating a fair, sustainable food system. Founded in 2011 by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), this movement encourages people to choose whole, unprocessed foods and support environmentally responsible farming. Closely related to World Food Day, observed earlier on October 16, it continues the global conversation about healthy diets, food access, and sustainability. Both days share the goal of ensuring that everyone can enjoy nutritious, affordable meals while caring for the planet.
National Good & Plenty Day
National Good & Plenty Day is celebrated on October 24 to honor Good & Plenty, the colorful, candy-coated black licorice candies first introduced by the Quaker City Confectionery Company in Philadelphia in 1893. The candy is one of the oldest branded candies in the United States, known for its pink and white shells and chewy licorice centers. The founder and year of the observance itself are unknown.
National Kangaroo Awareness Day
National Kangaroo Awareness Day focuses on educating people about kangaroos, their habitats, and the challenges they face from hunting, vehicle collisions, and habitat loss. The day draws attention to the ecological role of kangaroos in Australia’s environment and the ethical concerns surrounding the commercial kangaroo industry. It also aligns with World Kangaroo Day, observed on the same date, and shares similar goals with Kangaroo Awareness Day in Australia, held on May 15.
National Make A Difference Day
National Make A Difference Day*(Fourth Saturday in October) encourages everyone to take action and help their communities through volunteering and kindness. Created in 1992 by USA Weekend magazine and the nonprofit Points of Light, the day is built on the idea that one person’s efforts can inspire many others. It has grown into one of the largest volunteer movements in the United States, supported today by USA Today and Points of Light. The observance teaches that making a difference doesn’t always require grand gestures—even small acts of generosity and compassion can create lasting positive change.
National One United Race Day
National One United Race Day* (Fourth Saturday in October) promotes the idea that all humans belong to a single, united race and encourages people to stand together against racism. Created in 2019 by the organization One United Race (OUR), the observance spreads awareness about equality and inclusion through education and community events. The group’s motto, “One Race For One Race,” captures its message of unity across all seven continents.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day* (Dates change annually) encourages Americans to safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medications to prevent misuse, accidental poisoning, and environmental harm. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) launched the event in 2010, and it now takes place twice a year, typically in April and October, with free collection sites across the country.
National Senior UTI Awareness Day
National Senior UTI Awareness Day raises awareness about urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older adults, who often show different symptoms than younger people—such as confusion, agitation, or sudden changes in behavior instead of the typical burning sensation. These signs can easily be mistaken for dementia, delaying treatment and increasing the risk of serious complications like sepsis or kidney damage. The day was founded by Daisy Jackson, who launched the initiative after her own UTI led to sepsis, to educate families, caregivers, and healthcare providers about early detection and prevention.
Take Back Your Time Day
Take Back Your Time Day encourages people to pause and reflect on how they use their time in an increasingly busy, digital world. The observance was founded in 2003 by the Take Back Your Time organization to raise awareness about overwork and the lack of balance in modern life. It highlights how long work hours and constant digital connectivity can affect health, family, and community relationships. The day serves as a reminder to create healthier boundaries, focus on what truly matters, and reclaim time for rest, creativity, and meaningful connections.
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United Nations Day
United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the UN’s founding in 1945, when the UN Charter officially took effect after World War II. The organization was created to help countries work together to maintain peace, protect human rights, and promote cooperation on global issues such as poverty, health, and the environment. The UN General Assembly declared this observance in 1947 to highlight the UN’s mission and achievements.
Wear It Pink Day
Wear It Pink Day 🇬🇧 is a major fundraising event in the United Kingdom created by the charity Breast Cancer Now in 2002. The campaign invites people to wear pink clothing or accessories to show solidarity and raise money for breast cancer research and support services. The funds collected help scientists develop better treatments and provide care for those affected by the disease. The initiative is part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which focuses on education, early detection, and improving quality of life for patients. The long-term goal of Breast Cancer Now is that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live and live well.
World Development Information Day
World Development Information Day was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to raise awareness about major global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The observance highlights the importance of sharing knowledge and using modern technology—like the internet and mobile communication—to close the gap between developed and developing nations. By encouraging public discussion and cooperation among countries, the day supports the broader goals of the United Nations and reminds people that sustainable development depends on access to information, education, and global partnership.
World Kangaroo Day
World Kangaroo Day was founded in 2020 by the conservation group Kangaroos Alive to raise global awareness about the welfare and protection of kangaroos. The day highlights the contradiction between the kangaroo’s image as a cherished national symbol of Australia and the reality that millions are killed each year in the world’s largest commercial wildlife slaughter. It also draws attention to the suffering of orphaned joeys and the impact of droughts, wildfires, and habitat loss on wild populations. Beyond conservation, the day honors the deep cultural and spiritual importance of kangaroos to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
World Origami Days
World Origami Days* (October 24 – November 11) is a 19-day international celebration of the art of paper folding. It was created in 2005 by OrigamiUSA, the largest origami organization in the United States. The celebration begins on October 24, the birthday of Lillian Oppenheimer (1898–1992), who founded the first American origami group and helped bring the craft to Western audiences. It ends on November 11, Japan’s Origami Day, established by the Nippon Origami Association in 1980 to link the paper crane with global peace and to symbolize the four corners of a sheet of paper.
World Polio Day
World Polio Day was established by Rotary International to honor Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the first successful polio vaccine. The day raises awareness about the global effort to eliminate poliomyelitis, a highly infectious viral disease that can cause paralysis. Since 1988, vaccination campaigns have reduced global polio cases by more than 99%, thanks to the dedication of health workers, scientists, and volunteers. The day emphasizes that complete eradication remains essential, as the virus can still spread in regions where it has not been fully eliminated. A purple-stained pinky finger often symbolizes a vaccinated child and the progress toward a polio-free world.
World Tripe Day
World Tripe Day highlights a traditional food called tripe—the edible lining from the stomach of a cow or other grazing animal. While it may sound unusual to some, tripe has been part of global cuisine for centuries and appears in dishes from Italy, Mexico, Poland, and many other countries. The observance was created in 2003 by the humorous, fictional Tripe Marketing Board in the United Kingdom to draw attention to this often-overlooked ingredient. The date was chosen to honor a diary entry by Samuel Pepys from 1662, in which he praised a meal of tripe he had prepared himself.
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