Tomorrow is Saturday, December 13, 2025.
December 13 features 10 national and international observances: Ice Cream Day, International Shareware Day, National Cocoa Day, National Cream Cheese Frosting Day, National Day of the Horse (National Horse Day), National Guard Birthday, National Violin Day, National Wreaths Across America Day, Pick a Pathologist Pal Day.
Scroll down to explore the meaning behind each one.
Ice Cream Day is an unofficial observance that encourages people to enjoy ice cream even in the colder months. Although the official U.S. National Ice Cream Day is held in July, many calendars and businesses recognize this winter version as a fun way to celebrate ice cream twice a year.
National Cocoa Day celebrates cocoa as a warm, seasonal drink and highlights its long history. Cocoa has roots in Mesoamerican cultures such as the Mayans and Aztecs, who prepared a bitter, spiced beverage called xocoatl. It reached Europe in the 15th century and gradually evolved into the sweet versions enjoyed today. The day also points out the difference between hot cocoa, made from low-fat cocoa powder, and hot chocolate, made from ground chocolate containing cocoa butter, which creates a richer drink.
🍫 A similar day, National Hot Chocolate Day, is observed on January 31.
🍫 Did you know that there are over 70 chocolate-themed national days celebrated throughout the year?
International Shareware Day* (Second Saturday in December) highlights the “try before you buy” software model that allows users to test programs before paying for them. The observance was created in 1995 by David Lawrence to acknowledge the programmers who made this approach possible. Shareware began in the early 1980s with developers such as Andrew Fluegelman and Bob Wallace, who trusted users to pay if they found the software useful. Variations of the model include time-limited trials, feature-limited versions, and fully functional donationware.
National Cream Cheese Frosting Day was created in 2018 by Arla Foods to celebrate the popularity of this smooth, tangy frosting, especially during the holiday baking season. The day highlights how widely cream cheese frosting is used in cakes, cookies, and seasonal desserts across the United States.
National Day of the Horse / National Horse Day was established by Congress in 2004 to draw attention to the important role horses have played in the history and development of the United States. Horses supported agriculture, transportation, ranching, and military and law-enforcement work, and they remain part of recreation, sport, and therapy programs today. The equine industry also continues to make a significant economic impact nationwide.
National Guard Birthday marks the 1636 decision by the Massachusetts Bay Colony to organize its militia companies into permanent regiments, forming the oldest units in the U.S. military. The National Guard is built on this militia tradition, with its members serving both their states and the federal government. They support disaster response, community protection, and overseas military operations. The Air National Guard traces its official start to 1947, when the U.S. Air Force became a separate branch.
National Violin Day recognizes the violin and its influence across many musical styles, including classical, country, jazz, and rock. The modern violin developed in early 16th-century northern Italy from earlier bowed instruments, and makers such as Amati, Guarneri, and Stradivarius helped establish its shape and sound. Its strong, expressive tone made it a key instrument in orchestras and ensembles, and it remains widely used around the world today.
Pick a Pathologist Pal Day highlights the important work of pathologists and coroners, whose expertise supports medical diagnosis and death investigations. Created by Tom and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, the day brings attention to roles that are essential in healthcare and forensic science. Pathologists analyze tissues and body fluids to identify disease, while coroners determine the cause and manner of unexpected or unexplained deaths.
National Wreaths Across America Day* (Second Saturday in December) honors fallen U.S. veterans by inviting volunteers to place wreaths on their graves and speak their names aloud. The tradition began in 1992 when Morrill Worcester donated surplus wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery, and it became a national nonprofit in 2007. Today, ceremonies take place at Arlington and thousands of other locations to remember those who served and to teach younger generations about their sacrifice.
National Days to Explore
Today | Yesterday | December | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | Food Days
National Days in December
December 1 | December 2 | December 3 | December 4 | December 5 | December 6 | December 7 | December 8 | December 9 | December 10 | December 11 | December 12 | December 13 | December 14 | December 15 | December 16 | December 17 | December 18 | December 19 | December 20 | December 21 | December 22 | December 23 | December 24 | December 25 | December 26 | December 27 | December 28 | December 29 | December 30 | December 31
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