September 1 National Days

September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years), leaving 121 days until the year’s end.

It opens the month with a wide range of observances that blend heritage, food, hospitality, health, forgiveness, and national pride. Some of these days trace back to centuries-old traditions, while others are modern initiatives that spotlight social causes and community recognition.

Here’s a look at the 21 national and international days celebrated on September 1.

National and International Days on September 1

Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day highlights the essential but often invisible work of inspectors and code officials. Their role is critical to ensuring that homes, workplaces, and public spaces meet safety standards. Without their oversight, communities would be more vulnerable to structural failures, fire hazards, and unsafe construction practices. The observance reminds us that behind every safe building is a team of professionals protecting lives.

Cap Classique Day, established in 2020 by the Cap Classique Producers Association, honors South Africa’s unique tradition of sparkling wines made in the traditional méthode champenoise. The first example was Kaapse Vonkel, crafted in 1973 by Frans Malan at Simonsig Estate. This effort inspired a broader movement among South African winemakers to create their own premium sparkling wines. The day now serves as both a cultural celebration and an educational opportunity about the strict standards upheld by producers.

Footy Colors Day 🇦🇺 began in 1995 through the Fight Cancer Foundation in Australia. The event invites people to wear their favorite team’s colors while raising funds for programs that support children undergoing cancer treatment. These funds provide educational support, housing for families, and medical research, ensuring that children can continue learning while battling illness. By tying sports culture to community giving, the day brings hope and solidarity to families in need.

Ginger Cat Appreciation Day, founded in 2014 by Chris Roy in memory of his cat Doobert, is both a lighthearted celebration and a call for compassion. Ginger cats, often seen as bold and playful, are honored for their charm and companionship. But the day also has a deeper mission: to raise awareness of animal welfare. Roy later created Doobert.com, a platform connecting animal rescues with volunteers, directly inspired by his cat’s legacy.

Labor Day* (First Monday in September) has its roots in the American labor movement of the late 19th century. The first parade took place in New York City in 1882, organized by trade unions to honor workers’ rights. In 1894, after the violent Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law as a federal holiday. Today, it continues to recognize the contributions of workers while marking the symbolic end of summer in the United States.

Mouthguard Day* (First Monday in September) raises awareness of the importance of mouthguards in sports safety. The earliest versions appeared in the late 19th century, improvised by boxers with tape and sponges. By the 1920s, Philip Krause, son of British dentist Woolf Krause, developed reusable versions. The American Dental Association began promoting them in the 1960s, and by 1962 they were mandatory in U.S. high school football. The observance highlights their evolution and their crucial role in preventing dental and facial injuries.

National Acne Positivity Day, launched in 2020 by skincare brand La Roche-Posay, focuses on breaking the stigma surrounding acne. Beyond a simple skin condition, acne is often linked to self-esteem struggles, bullying, and social pressures. The day encourages people to embrace their skin, share their experiences, and promote body positivity. It reframes acne not as something to hide, but as part of normal human diversity, while also encouraging healthier and more compassionate attitudes toward skin health.

National Burnt Ends Day, established in 2021 by the American Royal in partnership with Zarda Bar-B-Q, celebrates a Kansas City barbecue icon. Burnt ends were once considered scraps from the brisket’s fatty point, but pitmasters learned that re-saucing and smoking them further created flavorful, crispy delicacies. Today they’re considered a highlight of Kansas City’s culinary identity. Proceeds from the celebration support the American Royal’s education and scholarship programs, showing how food traditions can also give back to communities.

National Cherry Popover Day honors a pastry that blends Old and New World traditions. Popovers evolved from England’s Yorkshire pudding, brought to America by settlers in the 18th century. By the mid-19th century, they had become popular in New England, with the first written recipe published in 1876. Adding cherries transformed the savory dish into a sweet variation celebrated each year on September 1. The treat’s name refers to how the batter “pops over” the pan’s edge when baking.

National Chicken Boy Day is dedicated to an unusual 22-foot fiberglass statue of a man with a chicken’s head holding a bucket of fried chicken. Once an advertising mascot for a Los Angeles restaurant in the 1960s, the statue was rescued from demolition by artist Amy Inouye in 1984. In 2007, she installed it atop her studio on Route 66, where it became a quirky roadside landmark. Declared its “birthday” on September 1, the statue is now a symbol of kitsch Americana and preservation through creativity.

National Child Identity Theft Awareness Day, created in 2018 by Experian, calls attention to a growing but often hidden crime. Children’s clean credit histories make them prime targets for identity thieves, who can misuse their data for years before detection. This observance educates parents about safeguarding Social Security numbers, monitoring financial records, and teaching children the importance of protecting personal information. The goal is prevention through awareness and vigilance.

National Emma M. Nutt Day honors the first female telephone operator, who began work in Boston on September 1, 1878. Before her, telephone operators were male, but their impatience and poor customer service led companies to seek women for their politeness and steady demeanor. Emma Nutt’s pioneering role opened the door for women in telecommunications, an industry that became one of the largest female workforces in the 20th century.

National Forgiveness Day, founded in 2023 by Dr. Debi Silber of the Post Betrayal Transformation Institute, emphasizes healing through reconciliation. Forgiveness, she argues, not only repairs relationships but also improves mental and physical health by reducing stress and resentment. The day invites reflection, apologies, and second chances.

📝 It is not to be confused with the National Day of Forgiveness on September 27 or Global Forgiveness Day in July, which share similar themes.

National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day highlights some of the quirks of the English language. Observed on September 1, it draws from an idiom first recorded in John Russell’s The Boke of Nurture (circa 1460) and later used by Shakespeare in The Comedy of Errors. The phrase refers to things that lack explanation or logic. The observance also points to a playful list of words, such as “orange” or “silver,” that famously resist perfect rhymes, reminding us of the oddities that make language both challenging and creative.

National Tofu Day 🇬🇧 is celebrated in the United Kingdom on September 1 to promote plant-based eating and showcase tofu’s versatility. Known in China as “doufu,” tofu has been a staple for over 2,000 years, made by coagulating soy milk and pressing it into solid blocks. Adopted widely across East and Southeast Asia, tofu later became a popular meat alternative in the West.

🍽️ Related observances include Japan’s National Tofu Day on October 2 and World Tofu Day, created by SPA Canada, on July 26.

Pink Cadillac Day intertwines American music history and entrepreneurial success. The day commemorates Elvis Presley’s famous 1955 pink Cadillac, which became an emblem of his early career and rock ’n’ roll’s rebellious spirit. It also celebrates Mary Kay Ash’s 1967 launch of her company’s pink Cadillac program, rewarding top-performing sales consultants with the iconic car. Both stories highlight how the pink Cadillac became a cultural symbol of ambition, success, and personal expression.

Rosolio Day, established in 2024 by Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, revives a centuries-old Italian liqueur first crafted in convents and monasteries as a medicinal tonic. Known as the “dew of the sun,” rosolio was made by infusing alcohol with herbs, fruits, and sugar, later evolving into a refined drink served at weddings and royal courts. Though it fell out of favor in the 19th century, the modern craft cocktail movement and Italicus brand have brought it back, and Rosolio Day celebrates its heritage and renewal.

Wattle Day 🇦🇺 marks the arrival of spring in Australia and honors the golden wattle, the country’s national floral emblem. Its bright yellow blossoms symbolize unity, resilience, and community spirit. First widely celebrated in 1910, the day gained deeper meaning during World War I, when wattle sprigs were sold to support the Red Cross. Official recognition came in 1992, though the golden wattle had already been declared Australia’s national floral emblem in 1988. Today, Wattle Day combines patriotism, environmental awareness, and appreciation of native flora.

World Letter Writing Day was founded in 2014 by Australian author and artist Richard Simpkin to celebrate the thoughtful and personal act of writing letters by hand. Simpkin was inspired by his late 1990s project of writing to Australians he admired, many of whom responded with handwritten replies. He later compiled these into his book Australian Legends (2005). The experience highlighted for him the emotional depth and permanence of letters compared to digital communication. World Letter Writing Day encourages people worldwide to slow down, reflect, and connect through handwritten words, preserving a tradition that bridges distance with intimacy.