September 9 National Days

September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years), leaving 113 days until the year’s end.

National Days on September 9th — September 9 National Days

The observances today balance serious global awareness campaigns with whimsical and lighthearted celebrations. From protecting education and raising awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders to puzzles, schnitzels, and teddy bears, the date is rich in variety and meaning.

Here’s a look at the 15 national and international days celebrated on September 9.

National and International Days on September 9

Care Bears™ Share Your Care Day, first observed in 2015, was created by Cloudco Entertainment (formerly American Greetings) to spread kindness, compassion, and positivity through the beloved Care Bears. The inaugural celebration partnered with child philanthropist Zach Kaplan, who helped distribute 400 plush toys to children in New York City. Each Care Bear carries a belly badge symbolizing a core value, such as love, generosity, or cheer, and together they promote a message of living with empathy and care. The holiday coincides with National Teddy Bear Day, amplifying its theme of comfort and connection.

Emergency Services Day / 999 Day 🇬🇧, founded by Tom Scholes-Fogg in 2016 and officially launched in 2017, honors the United Kingdom’s emergency service workers and volunteers. Held each September 9 (9/9, reflecting the UK emergency number), the day pays tribute to police, fire, ambulance, NHS staff, coastguards, and volunteer responders. Events include ceremonies, educational campaigns on responsible emergency service use, and encouragement for volunteering. The first official 999 Day was held in 2018 in Manchester and has since received support from political leaders and members of the royal family.

Falsely Accused Day, created in 2020 by Lyn Crabtree, raises awareness of the devastating personal and social impact of false allegations. The date was chosen in honor of Simon Warr, a BBC broadcaster and teacher falsely accused of abuse who was later acquitted. What began as a UK grassroots effort has since grown into an international movement, observed in countries such as the U.S., Ireland, Argentina, and Poland. The day emphasizes solidarity with those wrongly accused, challenges stigma, and calls for justice reform to address the long-lasting harm caused by false accusations.

International Box Wine Day highlights the serious advantages of sustainable wine packaging. The holiday began in February 2021, promoted by Wine Nook, a company designing stylish dispensers for boxed wine. It also honors the 1965 invention of the “wine cask” by Australian winemaker Thomas Angove, later refined with a plastic tap in 1967 by Charles Malpas. Once dismissed as inferior, boxed wine is now recognized for reducing packaging waste, keeping wine fresh for weeks, and offering affordability without sacrificing quality.

🍷 See our full list of wine-related national days.

International Buy a Priest a Beer Day is celebrated each year on September 9th as a lighthearted yet meaningful way to show gratitude for clergy. The tradition began around 2013, when Catholic writer Sam Guzman, author of The Catholic Gentleman blog, proposed the idea with a playful story about a fictional saint named Hopswald of Aleyard who rewarded his priest with a pint of beer. While the tale was tongue-in-cheek, the sentiment resonated widely, and the observance quickly spread through Catholic and Anglican communities worldwide. The day emphasizes the humanity of priests—reminding us that they too value companionship, relaxation, and kindness outside of their demanding ministry. Sharing a beer becomes a symbol of gratitude, fellowship, and community spirit, strengthening bonds between clergy and laity in a simple, approachable way.

International Day to Protect Education from Attack, observed on September 9, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2020 following a proposal by Qatar and co-sponsorship from 62 nations. The day draws attention to the alarming reality that schools and universities are often targeted during armed conflicts, depriving children and communities of safety and stability. It emphasizes not just the protection of buildings, but also the rights of students and teachers to learn and work in peace. Co-facilitated by UNESCO and UNICEF, the day calls for upholding international humanitarian law, preventing the use of schools for military purposes, and ensuring continuity of education even in crisis.

International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day began in 1999, initiated by Canadian parents and advocates Bonnie Buxton, Brian Philcox, and Teresa Kellerman. The date 9/9 was chosen to symbolize the nine months of pregnancy, underscoring that no amount of alcohol is safe during this time. FASD includes a range of lifelong conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, such as physical abnormalities, learning disabilities, behavioral issues, and social challenges. The day has since become a global observance, marked by education campaigns and advocacy for prevention.

🛑 See the complete list of sobriety and alcohol-free awareness days.

International Sudoku Day, founded by the World Puzzle Federation in 2013, celebrates the 9×9 puzzle on the fitting date of 9/9. Though widely associated with Japan, Sudoku’s roots trace back to 18th-century Europe, when Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler developed “Latin Squares.” The modern form was first published as Number Place in 1979 by Howard Garns in Dell Magazine. Its popularity soared in the early 2000s after New Zealand judge Wayne Gould developed software to generate puzzles for newspapers. Today, Sudoku is cherished worldwide for its role in improving concentration, logic, and memory skills.

National Ants on a Log Day* (Second Tuesday of September) celebrates a simple but iconic snack—celery filled with peanut butter and topped with raisins. The name, evoking “ants walking on a log,” was first popularized in 1952 by the California Raisin Growers. While the snack likely originated in the early 20th century, when celery and peanut butter became household staples, the official holiday was introduced in 2014 by Peanut Butter & Co. and Duda Farm Fresh Foods to encourage healthy eating for families and children, especially during the back-to-school season.

National Teddy Bear Day honors the beloved stuffed animal rooted in a 1902 incident involving U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. When Roosevelt refused to shoot a tied-up bear cub on a Mississippi hunting trip, political cartoonist Clifford Berryman illustrated the moment. Inspired by the cartoon, New York shop owners Morris and Rose Michtom created the first “Teddy’s Bear,” leading to the founding of the Ideal Toy Company. Teddy bears became a worldwide symbol of comfort, affection, and companionship, cherished by both children and adults for over a century.

National Teddy Bear Day

National Wiener Schnitzel Day celebrates the classic Austrian dish of breaded veal cutlet, fried to a golden crisp. Although a legend claims Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky introduced it to Austria after a campaign in Italy, historians trace the dish’s origins more locally, likely evolving from traditional Austrian recipes like Backhendl (breaded fried chicken). First recorded in cookbooks of the 1830s, Wiener Schnitzel has since become a cornerstone of Viennese cuisine and a national dish of Austria. Its popularity spread internationally, especially in Central European restaurants across the United States.

National When Pigs Fly Day, founded in 2020 by Lisa J. Schanley, turns the old idiom of impossibility into a message of hope. The inspiration came from Schanley’s own unexpected marriage to actor Tom Schanley, symbolized by a wedding cake topped with flying pigs. The phrase “when pigs fly” dates back to Scottish proverbs of the 1500s and has appeared in works by authors like Rabelais and Lewis Carroll. The observance encourages people to challenge doubt, dream boldly, and embrace creativity by believing that even the most unlikely goals can be achieved.

Steak Au Poivre Day is a celebration of one of French cuisine’s most elegant dishes: steak coated with cracked peppercorns and served with a rich, creamy sauce. The dish became a hallmark of Parisian bistros in the 19th century, where chefs experimented with bold pepper flavors balanced by smooth cream or cognac-based sauces. While the origins of the holiday itself are unclear, the dish’s cultural legacy makes it a fitting subject for recognition.

Technical Analysts Day recognizes the professionals who study charts, price action, and market patterns to understand investor psychology and forecast trends. Celebrated annually on 9/9, the date nods to the “Square of Nine,” a mathematical tool developed by market theorist W.D. Gann, who believed in the mystical power of numbers in trading. Though not tied to a single founding organization, the day is promoted by professional groups such as the International Federation of Technical Analysts. It highlights the discipline’s unique blend of mathematics, psychology, and art in interpreting financial markets.

Wonderful Weirdos Day is a lighthearted holiday that celebrates eccentricity and individuality. First popularized in Austin, Texas—known for its “Keep Austin Weird” motto—the day grew into a wider observance when holiday creators Tom and Ruth Roy began promoting it in 2000. The observance encourages people to embrace quirks, celebrate originality, and appreciate how unconventional thinkers enrich society. Far from being negative, “weird” is reframed as creative, bold, and authentic, a reminder that diversity in personality brings joy, inspiration, and progress.