September 12 National Days

September 12 is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years), with 110 days remaining until the year’s end.

National Days on September 12th — September 12 National Days

The date highlights themes of encouragement, compassion, unity, and awareness, from campaigns against fraud and child abuse to global movements for mindfulness, dolphin protection, and cancer research. Food and fun observances also bring sweetness and playfulness, reminding us that joy and kindness can coexist with advocacy.

Here’s a closer look at the 13 national and international days celebrated on September 12.

National and International Days on September 12

Bravehearts Day 🇦🇺 (formerly White Balloon Day) was established in 1997 by the Australian organization Bravehearts to raise awareness and funds for the prevention of child sexual abuse. Originally called White Balloon Day, it was one of the first initiatives in Australia to break the silence surrounding this issue, creating a cultural shift in how communities respond to survivors and work toward prevention. The rebranded Bravehearts Day continues to serve as a key event during National Child Protection Week, with fundraising efforts supporting education, training, and advocacy.

📝 In the United States, National BraveHearts Day is observed on April 28th to honor the bravery of families affected by pediatric cancer and to support childhood cancer research and treatment.

International Cloud Appreciation Day* (Second or third Friday in September) was created by the Cloud Appreciation Society, which has more than 60,000 members across 120 countries. The day encourages people to pause, look up, and enjoy the beauty and variety of clouds. Participants are invited to share photos in the Memory Cloud Atlas, an online archive documenting skies from around the world. It emphasizes not only the science of cloud formation but also the artistic and emotional inspiration clouds bring to people everywhere.

International Crochet Day, founded in 2007 by Jimbo of the blog Jimbo’s Front Porch, celebrates the artistry, history, and community of crochet. What began as a blogger’s initiative to give greater recognition to the craft has grown into a global celebration. The day honors the creativity of crocheters worldwide, connects communities through shared projects and social media, and highlights the therapeutic benefits of the craft, from stress relief to mindfulness.

Mindfulness Day, created in 2011 by Wisdom Publications, raises awareness about the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. Observed annually on September 12, the day highlights practices that encourage presence, calm, and self-awareness in a fast-paced world. Celebrated through workshops, meditation groups, and community events, it reminds people of the physical, mental, and emotional health benefits that mindfulness can bring.

National Chocolate Milkshake Day has uncertain origins, but references to its celebration appear in U.S. newspapers by the mid-1990s. The milkshake itself evolved from late-19th-century alcoholic drinks into the creamy, ice-cream-based treat we know today—popularized further after the invention of the electric blender in 1922. This day encourages people to enjoy one of America’s classic desserts while reflecting on its evolution from pharmacy soda fountains to diner menus worldwide.

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National Day of Encouragement was founded in 2007 when Mayor Belinda LaForce of Searcy, Arkansas, proclaimed September 12 as a day dedicated to uplifting others. That same year, Governor Mike Beebe and later President George W. Bush extended recognition, making it a national observance. Organized by The Encouragement Foundation, the day promotes positive action through kind words, support, and meaningful gestures that can inspire hope and resilience.

National Hug & High 5 Day was created in 2021 by David Sylvester, who began traveling the U.S. and abroad sharing hugs and high fives after losing a close friend in the 9/11 attacks. His mission is to spread human connection through simple, uplifting gestures that cut across divides and remind people of the power of kindness and unity.

National Just One Human Family Day, founded in 2021 by author and activist Shad Finney, emphasizes global harmony and shared humanity. Inspired by the song “We Share Just One Planet,” the day calls for empathy and understanding across cultural and national boundaries. It encourages reflection on the ways people are interconnected and promotes peace-building at both personal and community levels.

National Police Woman Day, observed annually on September 12, acknowledges the service and contributions of women in law enforcement. Although women remain underrepresented—making up roughly 10% of U.S. police forces—the day recognizes their critical role in upholding justice, advancing diversity within policing, and inspiring future generations of officers.

National Report Medicare Fraud Day, founded in 2017 by attorney Joel D. Hesch of The Hesch Firm, empowers Americans to protect the U.S. healthcare system from fraud. After years working in the Department of Justice’s whistleblower office, Hesch established the day to teach people how to identify fraud, report it, and even qualify for financial rewards through whistleblower programs. The observance blends civic responsibility with real-world impact, aiming to save billions in taxpayer dollars each year.

National Video Games Day celebrates video games as both entertainment and cultural innovation. While its origins are somewhat unclear, the day first appeared in Chase’s Calendar of Events around 1991, credited to David Earle and the “Kid Vid Warriors.” Initially observed on July 8, it shifted by 1997 to September 12, which is now the most widely recognized date. The day invites players to enjoy both retro and modern games, reflecting on how video games have evolved into a global industry, an art form, and even a tool for education and storytelling.

Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Day* (Second Friday in September) is a global fundraising initiative launched in 2008 by nine women in the entertainment industry, including Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, and Laura Ziskin, all of whom had personal connections to cancer. The movement pioneered a collaborative research model that brings scientists from different institutions together to accelerate discoveries and treatments. The first televised fundraising event reached millions, and SU2C has since raised hundreds of millions of dollars for innovative cancer research, honoring patients and supporting survivors worldwide.

World Dolphin Day was established in 2022 by Sea Shepherd Global and the Stop the Grind coalition to commemorate the September 12, 2021 mass killing of 1,428 Atlantic white-sided dolphins in the Faroe Islands—the largest single slaughter of cetaceans ever recorded. The day raises awareness about the dangers dolphins face from hunting, captivity, bycatch, and pollution. It also advocates for stronger marine protections and highlights the ecological importance of dolphins as intelligent, social creatures vital to healthy ocean ecosystems.