September 16 National Days

September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years), with 106 days remaining until the year’s end.

National and international days on September 16 span themes of environmental protection, history, family, creativity, food, and civic engagement. The date marks milestones such as the signing of the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer, the departure of the Mayflower, and the first coronary angioplasty, while also celebrating blended families, step-parents, and responsible pet care. From honoring Anne Bradstreet’s poetry to savoring guacamole and cinnamon raisin bread, the day balances cultural memory with everyday joys and global awareness.

Here’s a closer look at the 22 national and international days celebrated on September 16.

National and International Days on September 16

Anne Bradstreet Day honors the pioneering Puritan poet who died on September 16, 1672. Bradstreet was the first woman to be published in England’s North American colonies, and her collection The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America (1650) marked a milestone in American literature. The day invites readers to engage with her work, recognize her contributions to early poetry, and reflect on how her voice helped pave the way for women writers in a restrictive era.

Collect Rocks Day encourages people of all ages to explore geology by collecting, studying, and appreciating rocks. Though the holiday’s origins are uncertain—it began circulating online around 2015—it promotes a hands-on way to connect with Earth science. For children, it sparks curiosity about the natural world, while adults often find it a relaxing hobby that combines learning and time spent outdoors.

Get Ready Day* (Third Tuesday in September) was launched in 2006 by the American Public Health Association as part of its “Get Ready” campaign. The day highlights the importance of emergency preparedness—whether for pandemics, natural disasters, or other crises. Families and communities are encouraged to make emergency kits, create communication plans, and review safety procedures. The observance underscores how small, proactive steps can make a critical difference during emergencies.

International Day for Interventional Cardiology marks a groundbreaking moment in medicine: the first successful coronary angioplasty performed by Dr. Andreas Grüntzig on September 16, 1977. Officially proclaimed by the United Nations in 2022, the day raises awareness of cardiovascular diseases and celebrates advances in minimally invasive procedures that save countless lives. It also honors the legacy of Dr. Grüntzig, whose pioneering work reshaped the treatment of heart disease.

Mayflower Day commemorates the departure of the Mayflower from Plymouth, England, on September 16, 1620. The ship carried 102 Pilgrims seeking religious freedom and a new life in America. Their voyage led to the founding of Plymouth Colony and the Mayflower Compact, a foundational agreement for self-governance. The day serves as a reflection on migration, resilience, and the shaping of democratic ideals in early America.

National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day celebrates a beloved comfort food, often associated with cozy kitchens and nostalgic memories. Though its exact origins as a holiday are unclear, the bread itself draws from European fruit bread traditions such as German Stollen and Italian Panettone.

National Choose Your Chocolate Day was founded in 2020 by See’s Candies to give chocolate lovers a dedicated day to indulge and celebrate variety. The date honors the birthday of Mary See, the company’s iconic founder, who inspired the brand’s recipes more than a century ago. The observance highlights chocolate’s enduring role as a comfort food, luxury item, and cultural tradition. With dozens of chocolate-related observances worldwide, this day reminds us of the craft, creativity, and joy behind choosing a favorite piece.

National GED Day is a new addition to the calendar, established in 2023 by the GED Testing Service to honor the achievements of adult learners and graduates. Observed for the first time in 2024, the day recognizes the GED as a stepping stone toward higher education, career advancement, and personal growth. It also serves to raise awareness about the value of adult education, celebrate the resilience of GED students, and inspire others who are working toward completing their credential.

National Guacamole Day celebrates the creamy avocado-based dish with roots in Aztec cuisine, where it was known as āhuacamōlli, or “avocado sauce.” While the exact creation of the holiday is modern and informal, the food itself carries centuries of tradition. The observance falls on September 16, aligning with Mexican Independence Day, and highlights guacamole’s cultural significance as both an ancient dish and a global favorite. Its popularity in the U.S. surged in the late 20th century, especially with the rise of Mexican restaurants and festive foods like tacos and nachos.

National IT Professionals Day* (Third Tuesday in September) was launched in 2015 by SolarWinds, a software company, to recognize the essential but often invisible work of IT staff. From network management to cybersecurity, IT professionals keep modern organizations running smoothly. The day encourages businesses and individuals to appreciate their technical experts, who often solve problems behind the scenes. It also promotes awareness of IT as a vital and evolving field in the digital age.

National Play-Doh Day celebrates one of the most iconic and beloved children’s toys, which has inspired creativity for generations. Originally invented in the 1930s as a wallpaper cleaner, the pliable compound was transformed into a modeling toy in 1956 and quickly became a household favorite. Play-Doh has since been used not only for play but also in classrooms to support hands-on learning, motor skill development, and imaginative expression. The day, officially established by Hasbro in 2006, highlights how a simple, colorful material has shaped childhood experiences worldwide and continues to encourage creativity, problem-solving, and joyful exploration.

National Sit With a Stranger Day was created in 2020 by BDOPE LLC to encourage human connection in an age when loneliness and social isolation are increasingly common. The day invites people to step outside their comfort zones by sitting with someone new—whether on a park bench, in a café, or at a community event—and engaging in a meaningful conversation. Sociologists and psychologists alike have emphasized the value of such encounters: connecting with strangers can reduce feelings of isolation, build empathy, and strengthen community bonds. By taking time to notice and acknowledge the people around us, National Sit With a Stranger Day helps restore a sense of belonging in modern society.

National Stepfamily Day was founded in 1997 by Christy Tusing-Borgeld. The day provides recognition for step-parents, step-children, and all those who create new family bonds after remarriage or partnership, challenging the negative stereotypes often associated with stepfamilies in literature and popular culture. By honoring the unique strengths, challenges, and triumphs of stepfamilies, the observance encourages pride, unity, and understanding, while highlighting the evolving nature of family in modern society.

National Tattoo Story Day celebrates the deeply personal meanings behind tattoos and the stories they tell. Tattoos have long served as symbols of identity, memory, and cultural expression—ranging from traditional practices in Indigenous communities to modern designs that commemorate life milestones, loved ones, or personal growth. This day encourages people to share the narratives behind their ink, fostering understanding of tattoos not merely as body art but as lasting records of individual journeys and values.

National Voter Registration Day* (Third Tuesday in September) was first organized in 2012 by the National Association of Secretaries of State. The observance encourages eligible U.S. citizens to register to vote and reminds them to keep their information current. Celebrated with nonpartisan drives across all 50 states, the day highlights the role of voter registration in ensuring broad participation in democracy.

National Working Parents Day is an appreciation day for parents who balance careers with raising children. Though its exact founding date is uncertain, the observance reflects a growing recognition of the pressures working parents face in managing professional responsibilities alongside household and caregiving duties. The day calls for support, both at home and in workplaces, to foster healthier balances and acknowledge the dedication parents bring to both roles.

Pet Promise Day raises awareness about the lifelong responsibility of pet ownership. Created to remind people that pets are “forever companions,” not temporary commitments, the observance encourages responsible adoption, consistent care, and compassion throughout a pet’s life cycle. It underscores the importance of preparing for challenges such as aging or illness, and it promotes reducing shelter surrenders through education and awareness.

Stay Away From Seattle Day, created in 1991 by humorist Thomas Roy, is a tongue-in-cheek observance rooted in Seattle columnist Emmett Watson’s 1980s campaign against population growth and over-tourism in the city. While lighthearted, the day playfully reflects real concerns about urban overcrowding and cultural change. It has since become a quirky reminder of Seattle’s popularity—and the tension between welcoming newcomers and preserving local identity.

Teenager Workout Day was founded by fitness trainer Greg Bouskila in 2018. This day spotlights the importance of daily movement during adolescence—when habits formed can last a lifetime. It echoes expert guidance that teens should aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity each day, mixing aerobic exercise (running, cycling, dance) with strength and bone-building work. Beyond physical benefits (cardiovascular fitness, healthy weight, stronger bones and muscles), regular exercise supports mental health—boosting mood through endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving sleep and focus. The observance also calls out modern barriers (screen time, sedentary routines) and encourages families, schools, and communities to make activity social, fun, and accessible.

Trail of Tears Commemoration Day honors the memory of the Cherokee and other Native American tribes forcibly removed from their ancestral lands after the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Thousands perished during the journey, remembered as the Trail of Tears, due to hunger, disease, and harsh conditions. While the U.S. Congress has passed various resolutions recognizing the tragedy, September 16 is observed as a day of reflection and remembrance of this injustice and its lasting impact on Indigenous communities.

World Barber Day, launched in 2017 by Hugh and Conor Mc Allister of the Grafton Barber chain, blends professional pride with charitable action. Barbershops worldwide are encouraged to donate proceeds to UNICEF, honoring both the historic role of barbers—who once provided medical services alongside grooming—and their modern role as community hubs. The day emphasizes barbers’ global community spirit and their tradition of care, skill, and service.

World Ozone Day, officially the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1994 to mark the 1987 signing of the Montreal Protocol. This landmark treaty successfully curbed the production of ozone-depleting substances and became a model for international environmental cooperation. Observed annually on September 16, the day celebrates the healing ozone layer as proof that global action guided by science can reverse ecological crises, while also highlighting ongoing efforts to protect the atmosphere and fight climate change.