National & International Days on April 12, 2026
Below are brief explanations of each observance celebrated on April 12.
D.E.A.R. Day (Drop Everything and Read Day)
D.E.A.R. Day (Drop Everything and Read Day) falls on the birthday of American author Beverly Cleary, born on this date in 1916. D.E.A.R. Day was established in 2006 by publisher HarperCollins Children’s Books in collaboration with the National Education Association and other educational organizations to honor Cleary’s legacy.
The inspiration came from her children’s novel Ramona Quimby, Age 8, in which Ramona’s teacher introduces a classroom activity called Drop Everything and Read — a moment Cleary based on real letters she had received from children describing similar programs at their schools. On this day, families are encouraged to take at least 30 minutes to put aside all distractions and enjoy books together.
Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday* (Sunday after Easter) is a Catholic feast day rooted in the visions of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who, between 1931 and 1938, recorded messages she received from Jesus in a spiritual diary. On May 5, 2000, five days after the canonisation of St. Faustina, the Vatican decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter would henceforth be known as Divine Mercy Sunday.
Good Deeds Day
Good Deeds Day* (Date varies) is an international day of volunteering. Initiated in 2007 by philanthropist and businesswoman Shari Arison, the first Good Deeds Day kicked off with 7,000 volunteers in Israel. Every year since, Good Deeds Day has united people from around the world for one day dedicated to doing good. The date varies by year and country.
International Day for Human Space Flight
International Day for Human Space Flight commemorates a remarkable date in history. On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen, carried out the first human space flight, opening the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity. Twenty years later to the day, NASA launched the first Space Shuttle, Columbia, making April 12 the only date in history to mark two landmark human spaceflight events. The United Nations formally declared it the International Day of Human Space Flight in 2011, on the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s flight.
International Day for Street Children
International Day for Street Children was launched by the Consortium for Street Children (CSC) on this date in 2011. It raises awareness about the challenges faced by children living on the streets. These young people often deal with violence, neglect, and a lack of basic rights and services. The day calls on governments and communities to support street-connected children by recognizing their rights, providing safe shelter, and ensuring access to education and healthcare.
National Big Wind Day
National Big Wind Day marks the anniversary of one of the most dramatic weather events ever recorded. On April 12, 1934, the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire clocked an incredible gust of 231 mph. That record stood for 62 years until a cyclone hit Barrow Island, Australia in 1996, and Mount Washington still holds the record for the fastest wind speed ever measured at a staffed weather station.
National for Twelves Day
National For Twelves Day celebrates the number 12 (4/12). We measure our days in two 12-hour sets, the year has 12 months, there are 12 zodiac signs, and 12 astronauts have walked on the Moon. The day was founded in 2019 by the Honolulu Sea Hawkers to honor football supporters, who are often called the 12s as the symbolic 12th player on the pitch — so integral that clubs like Bayern Munich and the Seattle Seahawks reserve the number 12 jersey exclusively for the fans.
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day toasts one of America’s great comfort foods. The modern version of the grilled cheese sandwich originated in the 1920s, as sliced bread and American cheese became easily available. During World War II, U.S. Navy chefs cooked up hundreds of American cheese-filled sandwiches for military personnel, and the term grilled cheese didn’t appear until the 1960s, when someone added the second slice of bread on top.
National Licorice Day
National Licorice Day was designated in 2004 by Licorice International in coordination with the National Confectioners Association. The flavor itself has ancient roots and records of its use as a medicine date back to ancient Egypt and were found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, while Napoleon Bonaparte was said to have eaten so much licorice that his teeth turned black. Excessive consumption can lead to health risks such as high blood pressure.
National Only Child Day
National Only Child Day celebrates those who grew up without siblings, coming just two days after Siblings Day on April 10. According to Pew Research, the number of families with only one child has doubled since 1970, and in 2014 some 22 percent of women aged 40 to 44 had given birth to only one child. The day emerged around 2010 to 2015 and aims to dispel the longstanding negative stereotypes attached to only children. While they may not share toys or rooms with siblings, only children often develop deep bonds with parents and are known for their independence and self-sufficiency.
National Colorado Day
National Colorado Day was established in 2017 by National Day Calendar to celebrate Colorado as the 38th state to join the Union. Known as the Centennial State because it achieved statehood in 1876, exactly 100 years after American independence, Colorado is dominated by the Rocky Mountains and is home to four National Parks.
National Deskfast Day
National Deskfast Day honors those who eat breakfast at their desks. The event was first promoted by the UK organization A Better Breakfast in 2021. The term deskfast (a blend of desk and breakfast) was initially widely criticized by nutritionists, but it became apparent that deskfasts were often healthier than breakfasts eaten at home. Celebrating this day means acknowledging that even the busiest people deserve a decent start to the day, even if it’s in front of a keyboard.cereals.
Teak Awareness Day
Teak Awareness Day was founded by Westminster Teak in 2019 to celebrate the importance of teak’s sustainability, durability, and overall beauty. Teak is a tropical hardwood native to Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and India, prized for its water resistance and exceptional longevity. It is one of the most sought-after timbers for premium furniture and boat-building. The observance aims to educate consumers about the importance of responsible harvesting practices and the role of teak plantations in preserving natural forests.
Wear a Star Day
Wear a Star Day is a day to remember children who left the world too soon. Created by The [R] Project, a Christian non-profit that supports parents and families through the loss of a child, the day honours what they call the “little stars in heaven” — children who died young, including those lost through miscarriage and stillbirth.
Participants wear something with a star — a pin, a necklace, a sticker, a shirt — and when someone asks what it means, they tell them. No speeches, no fundraising, just a quiet conversation that keeps a child’s memory alive and reminds grieving families that the rest of the world has not forgotten.
Walk On Your Wild Side Day
Walk On Your Wild Side Day is an invitation to stop worrying about what others think and just go for it. It was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy, who felt that “what will other people think?” is one of the biggest things holding people back from living their best lives. That might mean wearing a bold outfit, trying a food you’ve always been curious about, signing up for a class you’ve put off, or simply sharing an opinion you’d normally keep to yourself. The point is not to do anything reckless, but to do something that the usual, cautious version of you probably wouldn’t — just for one day.
World Hamster Day
World Hamster Day marks the date that pet hamsters effectively came into existence. On April 12, 1930, zoologist Israel Aharoni went on an expedition to search for Syrian hamsters in a cornfield in Syria. The 13 captured animals were then bred to produce the first domesticated hamsters, and the entire population of pet Syrian hamsters today are descendants of that original group.
Yuri’s Night
Yuri’s Night, also known as World Space Party, is a global celebration held every April 12 in honour of Yuri Gagarin’s historic flight. Founded in 2001, it has grown into an annual event with gatherings in over 75 countries, from NASA centers and planetariums to museums and local bars. The fact that the first Space Shuttle also launched on this date in 1981, exactly 20 years after Gagarin, makes April 12 feel like the natural home of a worldwide space party.
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