September 6 National Days

September 6 is the 249th day of the year, with 117 days remaining until the end of the year.

This date highlights themes of literature, wildlife conservation, food and drink traditions, and personal awareness. The mix includes lighthearted observances such as reading books, enjoying coffee ice cream, and celebrating tailgating, alongside global efforts to protect vultures, hummingbirds, and people living with color blindness.

Here’s a look at the 8 national and international days celebrated on September 6.

National and International Days on September 6

Fight Procrastination Day began in 1994 when Ethel Cook of Bedford, Massachusetts, launched it as “Do It! Day” to encourage people to stop putting things off. Originally observed the Wednesday after Labor Day—with a day of planning before—it later shifted to September 6 and became known by its current name. The holiday serves as a gentle push to tackle unfinished chores at home, work, or school, while also raising awareness about the stress and lost productivity caused by constant delay.

International Turkey Vulture Day (IVAD)* (First Saturday of September) was created in 2009 through collaboration between the Hawk Conservancy Trust in England and the Birds of Prey Programme in South Africa. Coordinated today by groups like the Vulture Conservation Foundation, it draws attention to vultures’ vital ecological role as nature’s cleanup crew and the severe threats they face from poisoning, electrocution, habitat loss, and illegal killing. Educational events and conservation campaigns help shift public perception of these misunderstood birds and highlight their importance in preventing disease and recycling nutrients.

National Coffee Ice Cream Day celebrates a flavor with surprisingly deep roots. The first known reference appeared in 1869 in a coffee parfait, and by 1919, a cookbook offered a recipe for “egg coffee” made with cream, coffee syrup, and crushed ice. The flavor spread widely in the 20th century, becoming a staple in ice cream parlors and freezers. When Häagen-Dazs launched in 1960, coffee was one of its three original flavors, cementing the popularity of this creamy pick-me-up that blends dessert indulgence with caffeine’s kick.

🍨 ☕️ See also our dedicated lists to coffee holidays and national ice cream celebrations.

National Color Blind Awareness Day is observed annually on September 6, the birthday of scientist John Dalton. Dalton, who experienced color blindness along with his brother, was the first to study it scientifically in the late 18th century. His pioneering observations led to the condition being widely known as “Daltonism.” DNA tests on Dalton’s preserved eyes in the 1990s confirmed his theories. In 2015, Colour Blind Awareness launched this observance to highlight the condition’s impact on education, daily life, and work. It also serves as part of International Color Blindness Awareness Month, recognized throughout September.

National Hummingbird Day* (First Saturday in September) was established in the United States to honor these dazzling pollinators. Some accounts credit scientist Nelson Newman in 1988, who later founded the National Hummingbird Day Foundation, while others cite birding enthusiast Penny Elliston in 1996. With more than 300 species worldwide, hummingbirds are celebrated for their beauty, agility, and vital role in pollination. The day encourages conservation, gardening with nectar-rich flowers, and education about the threats hummingbirds face from climate change and habitat loss.

National Read a Book Day, celebrated every September 6th, is a modern observance with origins likely in the United States in the late 2000s. While its beginnings are not tied to a single founder, the day quickly spread through libraries, schools, and bookstores as a way to encourage people to slow down and enjoy reading. It highlights the intellectual, emotional, and social benefits of books, whether fiction or nonfiction, and reminds us that reading fosters empathy, learning, and imagination in a digital age often dominated by short-form content.

National Tailgating Day, founded in 2016 by Luke Lorick of Tailgating Challenge, falls on the first Saturday of September to coincide with the kickoff of the college football season. The tradition of tailgating stretches back more than a century, blending food, drink, and camaraderie in parking lots outside stadiums. While its historical roots are debated—some point to Ivy League football in the late 1800s, others to early 20th-century pro teams—this modern holiday formally honors the culture of fans gathering before games to socialize, grill, and celebrate their teams.

World Beard Day* (First Saturday in September) embraces one of humanity’s oldest symbols of identity and style. While the modern celebration became formalized in the 2010s, folklore links beard festivals to Viking traditions as early as 800 AD, particularly in Denmark. Today, the day is marked with beard competitions, themed events, and lighthearted gatherings that celebrate the diversity of facial hair and its cultural significance around the world.