One of our favorite card games, Uno, or UNO, deserves a day of its own. At least, this is what we think! So every year on January 1st, we want Uno fans across the globe gather to celebrate National Uno Day! This day is dedicated to the classic card game that has brought friends and families together for decades. What better way to kick off the new year than with a game that is as thrilling as it is unpredictable?
A Brief History of Uno
For over 50 years, Uno has been bringing people together, creating memories, and sparking friendly competition across the globe. But how did this iconic game come to be? Let’s take a look at the fascinating history of Uno and see how it became the worldwide sensation it is today.
A historical timeline of Uno:
- 1971: Uno was invented by Merle Robbins in Reading, Ohio. Robbins created the game to resolve disputes in his family over the rules of Crazy Eights.
- 1981: Uno was purchased by International Games, marking the beginning of its widespread commercial success.
- 1992: Mattel acquired the rights to Uno, ensuring the game’s global distribution and popularity.
- 2000: Uno was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, recognizing its enduring appeal and impact on popular culture.
- 2010: Uno became available as a digital game, bringing the classic card game to a new generation of players on various platforms.
- 2018: Uno introduced colorblind-friendly cards, making the game more inclusive by adding symbols to help differentiate the colors.
- 2020: Uno celebrated its 50th anniversary with the release of special edition decks and global tournaments.
When Is National Uno Day?
We celebrate National Uno Day on January 1st because the date perfectly captures the essence of the game. January 1st marks the first day of the first month of the year—a double “uno” or “one.” This clever connection directly mirrors the goal of the game, where players aim to be the first to shout “Uno!” when they have only one card left. By choosing January 1st for National Uno Day, we not only kick off a new year but also emphasize the central theme of the game, making it the ideal day to honor this beloved card game.
Should you need to see on what weekday National Uno Day falls, have a look at the table below.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | January 1, Wednesday |
| 2026 | January 1, Thursday |
| 2027 | January 1, Friday |
| 2028 | January 1, Saturday |
| 2029 | January 1, Monday |
| 2030 | January 1, Tuesday |
Fun UNO Facts
Ready for some Uno trivia? Here are a few fun facts that might surprise you!
- Did you know that Uno was originally created in 1971 by Merle Robbins, a barber from Ohio? Since then, it has become one of the most popular family card games in the world, with countless variations and even digital versions available today.
- Uno means ‘one’ in Spanish. The game’s name is a nod to the rule where a player must announce “Uno!” when they have only one card left. This clever play on words not only ties into the gameplay but also serves as a memorable branding strategy, contributing to the game’s lasting popularity.
- In 2011, over 2,000 people participated in a massive game of Uno in Beijing, China. To this day, this game of Uno is the largest Uno game ever played.
- A Uno card deck has 108 cards. This includes four Wild cards, eight Skip cards, eight Reverse cards, and more. Despite the variety, the basic gameplay remains simple and accessible.
- Uno has been translated into over 30 languages. It’s a global sensation that transcends cultural and language barriers. The game is particularly popular in countries like the United States, Mexico, Brazil, India, and Japan, among many others.
How to Celebrate National Uno Day
Looking to make your National Uno Day unforgettable? While playing Uno is obviously the star activity of the day, we’ve got a few more fun ideas up our sleeves (pun intended) if you need them.
- Try a New Uno Variation: From Uno Attack to Uno Flip, there are plenty of exciting versions to explore. You could also try Uno Dare for a playful twist with challenges, or Uno Spin, which adds a spinning wheel for unexpected outcomes. For a faster-paced game, give Uno Flash a go, or dive into the digital world with Uno Online. Mix things up by playing a different version of Uno this year and discover a new favorite!
- Learn the History of Uno: The history of Uno is truly fascinating! Watch this video to discover the story behind one of the world’s most beloved games. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for this timeless classic.
- Host a Family Game Night: Gather your loved ones for a classic Uno showdown. If you want, you can make it even more interesting by adding your own house rules!
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 Calendars 2024-2025 (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, 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.
