Yesterday was Saturday, January 3, 2026.
January 3 features only 10 observances: Festival of Sleep Day, International Mind-Body Wellness Day, JRR Tolkien Day, Memento Mori / Remember You Die Day, National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, National Drinking Straw Day, National Play Outside Day, National Write to Congress Day, Perihelion Day, Women Rock! Day.
Scroll down to explore the meaning behind each one.
Festival of Sleep Day is an unofficial observance centered on intentional post-holiday recovery. It emphasizes sleep as a foundation for mental clarity, physical health, and emotional regulation, countering the pressure to resume full productivity immediately. The exact origin is unclear, but the phrase “Festival of Sleep” appears in English literature as early as 1889, with the modern observance taking shape in the early 2000s.
International Mind-Body Wellness Day emphasizes the connection between mental, emotional, and physical health, encouraging a holistic approach to well-being. It draws on ancient healing traditions as well as modern research showing how stress influences the body. The observance has been popularized in recent years by mind-body wellness educator Jaya Jaya Myra, who promotes personalized, sustainable self-care through her WELL framework.
JRR Tolkien Day honors the life and work of J. R. R. Tolkien, the creator of Middle-earth and author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The day centers on the Tolkien Birthday Toast, promoted by The Tolkien Society since the early 2000s, during which fans raise a glass and say “The Professor,” a tradition inspired by the birthday toasts described in Tolkien’s own stories.
📕 There are several other observances honoring Tolkien and his work, including Tolkien Reading Day in March, which encourages themed readings of his writings, and Hobbit Day in September, which celebrates the birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins.
Remember You Die Day, also known as Memento Mori Day, is a reminder that time is limited and shouldn’t be taken for granted. The observance encourages people to stop postponing important things, focus less on minor worries, and give attention to what feels meaningful right now. The idea comes from long-standing philosophical traditions, including the teachings of Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, who viewed awareness of mortality as a practical guide for everyday choices.
National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day recognizes the confection made from cherries coated in chocolate. The observance is acknowledged by the National Confectioners Association and reflects traditions that began in 18th-century Europe with cherry cordials, later expanding in the United States through Italian-American confectioner Cella’s Confections, which began mass production in the early 20th century.
National Drinking Straw Day marks the 1888 patent of the first paper drinking straw by Marvin C. Stone, created as an alternative to natural ryegrass straws that affected flavor and softened in drinks. While drinking straws have existed since ancient times, the observance today is often linked to the modern debate over plastic straws and the environmental impact that has renewed interest in paper and reusable options.
National Fruitcake Toss Day is a humorous observance tied to the first organized fruitcake toss held in Manitou Springs on January 3, 1996. Created as a playful way to dispose of unwanted holiday fruitcakes—just days after National Fruitcake Day—the tradition began informally among locals and later grew into an organized event, including record-setting launches such as the 2007 long-distance toss by Boeing engineers using a pneumatic launcher.
National Play Outside Day* (First Saturday of Every Month) is a recurring observance held on the first Saturday of every month, encouraging people of all ages to step outside and spend time in the fresh air. The day promotes simple outdoor activity and unstructured play as an easy way to balance routines that are often dominated by screens and indoor time.
National Write to Congress Day encourages citizens to communicate directly with their elected representatives. Established in 2005 by Congressman Brian Higgins, the observance is tied to January 3, the date when a new U.S. Congress constitutionally convenes. Its purpose is to promote civic participation by reminding people of their right to petition the government, stay informed about their representatives, and hold elected officials accountable.
Perihelion Day* (Dates Change) marks the point each year when Earth is closest to the Sun in its orbit. At this time, Earth moves slightly faster, which helps explain why Northern Hemisphere winters are shorter than summers. The opposite point, known as aphelion—when Earth is farthest from the Sun—always occurs in July, and although the Sun is closest on Perihelion Day, the difference in its apparent size is not noticeable to the naked eye.
Women Rock! Day honors women who broke barriers in the rock music industry. The day is linked to January 3, 1987, when Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and it recognizes the contributions of female artists who opened the door for greater representation in rock music.
🎶 Discover the ultimate list of music-related national days all in one place for your convenience and inspiration! 🎤🎸🎼
National Days to Explore
Today | Tomorrow | December | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | Food Days
National Days in January
January 1 | January 2 | January 3 | January 4 | January 5 | January 6 | January 7 | January 8 | January 9 | January 10 | January 11 | January 12 | January 13 | January 14 | January 15 | January 16 | January 17 | January 18 | January 19 | January 20 | January 21 | January 22 | January 23 | January 24 | January 25 | January 26 | January 27 | January 28 | January 29 | January 30 | January 31
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