Ellen Stanley, a school teacher, and her sister Mary Lynne Rave established National Pig Day to give pigs the recognition they deserve. Often underestimated, pigs are highly intelligent animals capable of forming complex social bonds and solving problems. Their keen sense of smell and adaptability have made them essential to agriculture, truffle hunting, and even medical advancements, such as organ transplants and insulin production.
Beyond their practical uses, pigs have found their way into cultural symbolism and entertainment. From beloved characters like Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web to lucky pig tokens in various cultures, these animals are celebrated worldwide. National Pig Day encourages people to learn about their value and treat them with the respect they deserve. So, grab your favorite pig book or visit a local farm to celebrate these remarkable creatures!
When Is National Pig Day Celebrated?
National Pig Day is celebrated every year on March 1st, honoring the intelligence and charm of pigs. It’s a perfect opportunity to appreciate these remarkable hoofed mammals and learn more about them. If you’re planning to mark this special day, here’s when it falls over the next few years:
| Year | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | March 1, Saturday |
| 2026 | March 1, Sunday |
| 2027 | March 1, Monday |
| 2028 | March 1, Wednesday |
| 2029 | March 1, Thursday |
| 2030 | March 1, Friday |
Ways to Celebrate National Pig Day
National Pig Day offers many ways to join the celebration, from spending time with pigs to enjoying pig-themed activities. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Visit a Farm or Sanctuary: Spend time learning about pigs in a local petting zoo or animal sanctuary. Many organizations host special events for National Pig Day.
- Learn About Pigs: Dive into their fascinating world by reading books, watching documentaries, or exploring online resources. Discover their intelligence, social behaviors, and cultural significance to gain a deeper appreciation for these remarkable animals.
- Read About Pigs: Enjoy a classic pig-themed story like Charlotte’s Web or The Three Little Pigs. These tales often highlight pigs’ charm and cleverness.
- Support Animal Welfare: Donate to organizations that rescue and care for pigs. Many sanctuaries rely on contributions to provide a safe home for these animals.
Fascinating Facts About Pigs
Pigs are more than just farm animals—they’re remarkable creatures with unique traits and surprising capabilities. Here are some facts to inspire your National Pig Day celebrations:
- Pigs are among the smartest animals, ranking just below dolphins and chimpanzees in intelligence tests. Their problem-solving skills and ability to learn make them remarkable creatures.
- They can recognize their names and respond when called, much like dogs. This ability shows their advanced memory and social awareness.
- A pig’s sense of smell is exceptional. They have been trained to sniff out truffles, locate landmines, and even assist in medical detection.
- Pigs are incredibly social animals, forming strong bonds with each other and with humans. They communicate through grunts and squeals, showing their complex emotional range.
- Contrary to popular belief, pigs are clean animals. They roll in mud to cool off and protect their sensitive skin from sunburn and insects.
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, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (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.
