170+ Special Days That Aren't On Your Calendar (yet)

Dear Fellow Americans,

We’ve noticed that only a handful of holidays make it onto typical calendars, so we would like to introduce you to our 2024-2025 Care Calendar. This is a supplemental list of celebrations and observances that will give you every excuse you need to educate and spread cheer throughout the year. Check this post at the end of each summer to find an updated list just in time for the new school semester, and please do share when you come up with a creative way to incorporate them into your space!

Here’s to new traditions,

Amy and Tony

Looking for a printable list? (Use this one.)

August

1 – International Childfree Day
1 – Respect for Fish Day
4 – National Friendship Day
4 – National Sisters Day
4 – National Farmers Market Week begins
6 – National Night Out
8 – National Happiness Happens Day
8 – National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day
10 – World Lion Day
11 – National Son and Daughter Day
12 – World Elephant Day
12 – International Youth Day
15 – National Relaxation Day
16 – National Tell a Joke Day
17 – National Nonprofit Day
19 – International Orangutan Day
19 – World Humanitarian Day
25 – World Water Week begins
25 – National Secondhand Wardrobe Day
27 – National Just Because Day
28 – National Thoughtful Day
30 – National Beach Day
30 – National Grief Awareness Day

International Peace Month

National Wellness Month

September

4 – National Wildlife Day
6 – National Food Bank Day
8 – National Grandparents Day
10 – National Swap Ideas Day
12 – National Day of Encouragement
12 – National Hug and High Five Day
12 – National Just One Human Family Day
21 – Puppy Mill Awareness Day
21 – National Cleanup Day
21 – International Day of Peace
22 – Car Free Day
22 – Elephant Appreciation Day
22 – World Rhino Day
25 – National Lobster Day
28 – National Good Neighbor Day
30 – National Love People Day

National Suicide Prevention Month

Intergeneration Month

National Self-Care Awareness Month

October

1 – World Vegetarian Day
2 – World Day for Farmed Animals
4 – World Animal Day
4 – World Smile Day
5 – National Do Something Nice Day
12 – National Farmers Day
16 – National Feral Cat Day
16 – World Food Day
21 – National Reptile Awareness Day
22 – National Make a Dog’s Day
26 – National Make a Difference Day
29 – National Cat Day

Global Diversity Awareness Month

National Bullying Prevention Month

National Animal Safety and Protection Month

November

1 – World Vegan Day
3 – One Health Day
6 – National Stress Awareness Day
13 – World Kindness Day
15 – America Recycles Day
16 – International Day for Tolerance
17 – National Take a Hike Day
23 – National Adoption Day
29 – National Listening Day
29 – Buy Nothing Day
29 – Fur-Free Friday

National Adoption Month

World Vegan Month

National Gratitude Month

December

2 – National Mutt Day
2 – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
3 – National Day of Giving
4 – World Wildlife Conservation Day
5 – World Soil Day
10 – Human Rights Day
14 – Monkey Day
20 – International Human Solidarity Day
26 – National Thank-You Note Day

Universal Human Rights Month

January

1 – World Day of Peace
5 – National Bird Day
6 – National Cuddle Up Day
11 – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
11 – National Vision Board Day
20 – International Day of Acceptance
21 – National Hug Day
21 – Squirrel Appreciation Day
24 – Global Belly Laugh Day
24 – International Day of Education
24 – National Compliment Day
25 – National Seed Swap Day
28 – Global Community Engagement Day

National Mentoring Month

National Unchain a Dog Month

February

2 – World Wetlands Day
4 – National Thank a Mail Carrier Day
7 – National Send a Card to a Friend Day
11 – National Make a Friend Day
14 – National Organ Donor Day
17 – National Random Acts of Kindness Day
21 – National No One Eats Alone Day
25 – World Spay Day
26 – National Letter to an Elder Day
27 – International Polar Bear Day

Spay and Neuter Awareness Month

March

1 – National Horse Protection Day
1 – National Pig Day
3 – World Wildlife Day
3 – National I Want You To Be Happy Day
7 – National Employee Appreciation Day
9 – National I Am Day
19 – National Let’s Laugh Day
20 – International Day of Happiness
20 – Great American Meatout Day
22 – World Water Day
29 – World Day for End of Fishing
30 – National Take a Walk in the Park Day

National Nutrition Month

April

TBD – National Poem in Your Pocket Day
2 – National Reconciliation Day
3 – National Find a Rainbow Day
5 – International Golden Rule Day
10 – National Farm Animals Day
11 – National Pet Day
14 – National Dolphin Day
17 – International Bat Appreciation Day
17 – National High Five Day
20 – Volunteer Recognition Day
23 – National Take a Chance Day
24 – World Day for Lab Animals
26 – National Arbor Day
30 – National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

National Month of Hope

National Volunteer Month

National Humor Month

May

1 – Global Love Day
3 – National Join Hands Day
4 – International Respect for Chickens Day
6 – National Foster Care Day
6 – National Teacher Appreciation Day
16 – National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day
16 – International Day of Living Together in Peace
16 – National Love a Tree Day
16 – National Bike to Work Day
16 – Endangered Species Day
20 – National Rescue Dog Day
21 – World Meditation Day
23 – World Turtle Day
24 – National Brother’s Day
25 – International Plastic Free Day
30 – National Creativity Day
31 – National Smile Day

National Mental Health Awareness Month

June

1 – World Reef Awareness Day
1 – National Say Something Nice Day
1 – National Pen Pal Day
1 – National Animal Rights Day
5 – World Environment Day
7 – National Black Bear Day
7 – World Caring Day
8 – World Oceans Day
8 – National Best Friends Day
8 – National Children’s Day
11 – National Making Life Beautiful Day
16 – World Sea Turtle Day
20 – World Refugee Day
20 – World Peace and Prayer Day
22 – World Rainforest Day

National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month

National Pollinators Month

July

3 – National Compliment Your Mirror Day
5 – International Day of Cooperatives
6 – International Kissing Day
7 – Global Forgiveness Day
11 – World Population Day
11 – National Cheer Up the Lonely Day
12 – National Simplicity Day
15 – National I Love Horses Day
15 – National Give Something Away Day
16 – World Snake Day
18 – World Listening Day
21 – National Be Someone Day
24 – International Self Care Day
27 – National Love is Kind Day
27 – National Parents Day
29 – International Tiger Day
30 – International Day of Friendship
31 – National Mutt Day

Plastic-Free July

What’s missing from this list? Comment below!