September 12, 2026, is the 255th day of the year, with 110 days remaining, and it falls on a Saturday. It’s also a new moon.
With 17 national and international days on the calendar, September 12 leans toward encouragement and connection. National Video Games Day first appeared in Chase’s Calendar of Events around 1991, credited to David Earle and the Kid Vid Warriors, before settling on this date by 1997. World Dolphin Day, established in 2022 by Sea Shepherd Global, marks the 2021 killing of 1,428 dolphins in the Faroe Islands, the largest single slaughter of cetaceans ever recorded.
National Hug & High 5 Day was created in 2021 by David Sylvester, who began traveling the world sharing hugs and high fives after losing a close friend in the September 11 attacks. And National Day of Encouragement began in 2007 as a local proclamation in Searcy, Arkansas, before growing into wider recognition.
National Days on September 12
All national & international days celebrated today
17 celebrations on this day Day 255 of 365 · 110 days left · week 37 · Virgo season · 🌑 new moonNational Video Games Day
First appeared in Chase’s Calendar of Events around 1991, credited to David Earle and the Kid Vid Warriors, before shifting to September 12 by 1997.
World Dolphin Day
Established in 2022 by Sea Shepherd Global and the Stop the Grind coalition, marking the 2021 killing of 1,428 dolphins in the Faroe Islands, the largest single slaughter of cetaceans ever recorded.
National Hug & High 5 Day
Created in 2021 by David Sylvester, who began traveling the US and abroad sharing hugs and high fives after losing a close friend in the September 11 attacks.
National Day of Encouragement
Began in 2007 when Mayor Belinda LaForce of Searcy, Arkansas proclaimed the date locally, before Governor Mike Beebe extended it to wider recognition.
Here’s every observance celebrated on September 12, 2026.
National & International Days on September 12
Here’s a closer look at the 17 national and international days celebrated on September 12.
Aunt’s Day
Aunt’s Day* (First Saturday after Labor Day) is a small unofficial day for nieces and nephews to reach out with a call, card, or visit. It’s less established than National Auntie’s Day, held on the fourth Sunday of July and founded by Melanie Notkin in 2009, which gets far more national attention and retail promotion. So if you’re looking to mark the occasion in a bigger way, late July is really the main event for celebrating aunts in the US.
German Language Day
German Language Day* (Second Saturday in September), or Tag der Deutschen Sprache, has been observed since 2001, created by the German Language Association (Verein Deutsche Sprache, VDS). The day promotes the preservation and appreciation of the German language and raises awareness of its global influence in literature, science, and philosophy. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of linguistic diversity and the cultural identity expressed through language.
Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day
Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day* (Second Saturday in September) began in 1981 in Quincy, Washington. Local farmer Dennis Higashiyama founded the event after hearing a radio segment in which a woman complained about food prices without recognizing the hard work behind farming. Today, it is celebrated with parades, farm tours, and educational programs, building stronger connections between farmers and consumers.
International Crochet Day
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.
International Drive Your Studebaker Day
International Drive Your Studebaker Day* (Second Saturday in September), launched in 2009 by the Studebaker Drivers Club. The observance invites classic car enthusiasts to take their Studebakers onto the road, celebrating the brand’s long history and enduring appeal. Though the company closed its U.S. operations in the 1960s, Studebaker cars remain icons of design and innovation, cherished by collectors and vintage car fans.
Mindfulness Day
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 Blackberry Day
National Blackberry Day falls on September 12 each year. It celebrates blackberries during their peak late summer harvest season, when people mark the day by picking, baking, and eating the fruit in things like cobblers and jams. It’s an informal observance rather than an official government holiday.
National Chocolate Milkshake Day
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.
National Day of Encouragement
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
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
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
National Police Women’s Day is observed annually on September 12 in the United States. It honors the contributions of female law enforcement officers and traces its date to Alice Stebbins Wells being sworn into the Los Angeles Police Department on that day in 1910. People typically mark it by thanking women officers in their communities, both in person and online.
National Report Medicare Fraud Day
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
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.
South-South Cooperation Day
South-South Cooperation Day is observed annually on September 12 to recognize the achievements and potential of technical and economic cooperation among developing countries in the Global South. Established by the United Nations, it highlights how these nations share knowledge, resources, and expertise to support one another’s development goals, often in areas like trade, health, and infrastructure. The day traces its origins to the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action, which promoted this kind of collaboration as a path toward greater self-reliance among developing nations.
World Dolphin Day
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.
World First Aid Day
World First Aid Day* (Second Saturday in September) is promoted by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It aims to raise public awareness about the importance of first aid knowledge in saving lives and reducing the severity of injuries during emergencies. Local Red Cross chapters and health organizations often mark the day with training sessions, demonstrations, and educational campaigns.
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National Days in September
