October 14 National Days

October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 78 days remaining until the end of the year. Falling on a Tuesday in the 42nd week, this date highlights themes of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and indulgence.

Notable observances include International E-Waste Day, which raises awareness about responsible recycling of electronic devices; Own Business Day, celebrating small business owners and their contributions to local communities; and National Dessert Day, a favorite among food lovers who take the opportunity to enjoy their sweetest treats.

Below is a list of all 10 national and international days taking place on October 14, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on October 14

Ada Lovelace Day* (Second Tuesday in October) honors the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and aims to inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps. The observance began in 2009, when Suw Charman-Anderson pledged to spotlight women in technology by encouraging people to write about female innovators they admired. Named after Ada Lovelace, the 19th-century mathematician often regarded as the world’s first computer programmer, the day has grown from a blogging initiative into a global celebration with talks, workshops, and community events. Its purpose is to recognize women’s contributions, challenge stereotypes, and ensure girls see real role models in fields where representation still lags behind.

Be Bald and Be Free Day was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat to encourage people to embrace baldness with confidence and pride. The day celebrates baldness in all its forms—whether it’s a personal style choice, a result of genetics, or a consequence of medical treatment—and reminds everyone that beauty and strength come in many forms.

International E-Waste Day raises awareness about the world’s growing problem of discarded electronics and encourages responsible recycling. Founded in 2018 by the WEEE Forum, an international association focused on electrical and electronic waste management, the day reminds people to properly dispose of items with plugs, cables, or batteries—from old phones and laptops to chargers and small appliances. E-waste is now the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, and much of it contains valuable materials that can be recovered and reused. By recycling instead of throwing these items away, individuals help reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, and support a circular economy that gives electronics a second life.

National Chocolate-Covered Insect Day highlights the growing curiosity around eating insects—known as entomophagy—and the movement to make it more accepted in North America. While the day’s exact origin isn’t clearly documented, it reflects rising interest in sustainable protein sources and adventurous foods. In many parts of the world, insects are a normal part of the diet, offering high nutrition with a small environmental footprint. In the U.S., events like those at the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium in New Orleans have helped introduce people to insect-based snacks through fun tastings such as chocolate-covered crickets. Using chocolate makes the idea less intimidating, turning it into a playful, crunchy treat that sparks conversation about food sustainability and cultural openness.

National Dessert Day is an unofficial holiday that invites everyone to enjoy their favorite desserts. While its exact origins are unclear, it likely began in the early 2000s in the United States as desserts became a bigger part of food culture and celebration.

National Face Your Fears Day* (Second Tuesday in October) created in 2007 by public speaker Steve Hughes, founder of the Hit Your Stride website, encourages people to confront the fears that hold them back. Although sources differ on the exact date—some place it on the second Tuesday in October, others on the third—the message stays the same: courage grows when we face what scares us. The day serves as a reminder that fear often loses its power once it’s acknowledged and challenged. Whether it’s speaking in public, trying something new, or addressing a personal challenge, this observance invites everyone to take one brave step toward greater confidence and self-discovery.

National I Love You Day began in the Philippines in 2015 after a social media campaign for the romantic film Everyday I Love You went viral. The movie’s hashtag, #EverydayILoveYou, inspired the spontaneous creation of #NationalILoveYouDay, which quickly spread across the internet and gained global popularity. What started as a movie promotion turned into a heartfelt tradition—a day for expressing love not just to partners, but to family, friends, and anyone who makes life better.

National Real Sugar Day was founded in 2022 by The Sugar Association to highlight the natural origins of real sugar and the people who produce it. The day reminds everyone that real sugar comes from plants—sugar beets and sugarcane—not from a lab, and that it plays a role not just in food but in local economies and communities. It’s also a way to recognize the farmers, processors, and workers who bring this ingredient from the field to the table.

Own Business Day / I Own My Own Business Day* (Second Tuesday in October) was founded in 2016 by METRO to spotlight and support independent business owners around the world. The day encourages entrepreneurs to share their stories, services, and special offers, helping them gain visibility in their communities and online. It also reminds customers how important small, local businesses are to everyday life—from neighborhood cafés and family shops to service providers and artisans.

World Standards Day honors the experts and organizations that create international standards helping products and services work safely and reliably across the globe. The idea began at a 1946 meeting in London, where delegates from 25 countries agreed to form a global body for standardization, leading to the creation of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1947. The first World Standards Day was held in 1970 to recognize how these shared guidelines support everyday life—from ensuring appliances fit correctly to keeping food, technology, and transportation safe. The day reminds us that behind every product we use are agreed-upon standards that make trade smoother, innovation faster, and quality more consistent worldwide.

National Days in October

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