National Internet Day is celebrated each year on October 29 in the United States, while many countries recognize the same date as International Internet Day. Both observances mark the birth of the internet—an invention that began with a small but historic event.
On October 29, 1969, researchers at UCLA attempted to send the word “LOGIN” to a computer at Stanford University using ARPANET, an early experimental network that later evolved into the internet. The system crashed after sending just two letters—“LO”—but that short, incomplete message became a symbol of how something world-changing can start from a simple idea.
The first official Internet Day celebrations began in 2005, created as a lighthearted way to recognize how the internet transformed daily life. Since then, schools, companies, and individuals have joined in by sharing internet trivia, posting nostalgic memes, and reflecting on how online connections shape everything from learning and shopping to friendships and creativity.
Beyond the U.S., International Internet Day has grown in popularity, especially across the Middle East, South Asia, and Latin America, where access to technology and digital innovation are expanding rapidly. In these regions, the day often focuses on how internet connectivity empowers education, entrepreneurship, and social progress—showing that this once-experimental network now connects nearly every corner of the world.
When Is National Internet Day Observed?
National Internet Day is celebrated every year on October 29, marking the anniversary of the first internet message sent in 1969. Below are the upcoming dates through 2030 so you can easily mark your calendar:
| Year | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | October 29 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | October 29 | Thursday |
| 2027 | October 29 | Friday |
| 2028 | October 29 | Sunday |
| 2029 | October 29 | Monday |
| 2030 | October 29 | Tuesday |
Similar Observances
Several other observances share a digital or online theme with National Internet Day.
- Data Privacy Day on January 28 focuses on protecting personal information and promoting respect for privacy online.
- Safer Internet Day, held on the second Tuesday in February, encourages responsible internet use, particularly among young users.
- The UN-established World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on May 17 highlights how communication technologies support progress and inclusion worldwide.
- Social Media Day on June 30 celebrates the role of social platforms in connecting people and spreading ideas.
- World Wide Web Day on August 1 honors the web’s creation and its impact on global access to information.
- Computer Security Day on November 30 reminds everyone to protect their systems and data in an increasingly connected world.
How You Can Celebrate National Internet Day
Fun national days and observances are meant to be enjoyed and shared. Finding the right way to join in isn’t always easy, so here are a few simple and meaningful ideas to help you celebrate.
- Share an Internet throwback – Post an old memory from your early online days, such as your first email account, website, or favorite meme from the 2000s.
- Learn something new online – Take a free course, watch a tutorial, or explore a new subject that interests you—honoring the internet’s role as the world’s biggest classroom.
- Clean up your digital life – Use the day to organize files, update passwords, or declutter your inbox for a fresh digital start.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, celiac & gluten-free days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025-2026 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
