5 Fun National Days to Celebrate Today

July 17th, 2025 brings us an exciting collection of unique national days that go beyond the typical federal holidays. From creative expression to delicious treats, here are five special observances happening today that you can celebrate in meaningful ways.

1. National Tattoo Day – July 17th

History: National Tattoo Day celebrates the ancient art of tattooing, which has been practiced for thousands of years across various cultures. The modern tattoo revival began in the 1960s and has evolved into a mainstream form of artistic expression and personal storytelling.

Modern Relevance: Today’s tattoo industry represents a$3 billion market, with over 45 million Americans having at least one tattoo. Tattoos have become a legitimate art form, allowing people to express their identity, commemorate important life events, and showcase their aesthetic preferences.

How to Celebrate:

• Research tattoo artists and designs if you’re considering getting inked
• Share photos of your existing tattoos on social media with meaningful stories
• Visit a tattoo convention or art gallery featuring tattoo-inspired artwork
• Try temporary tattoos or henna designs for a commitment-free experience
• Support tattoo artists by purchasing their flash art or merchandise

2. World Emoji Day – July 17th

History: World Emoji Day was created in 2014 by Jeremy Burge, founder of Emojipedia. The date was chosen because July 17th appears on the calendar emoji in most emoji sets. Emojis themselves originated in Japan in the late 1990s and have become a universal digital language.

Modern Relevance: With over 3,600 emojis available, these small pictographs have revolutionized digital communication. Studies show that 92% of online consumers use emojis, making them essential for modern marketing, social media, and personal expression across cultural and language barriers.

How to Celebrate:

• Challenge yourself to write messages using only emojis
• Create emoji art or stories on your social media platforms
• Learn about the Unicode process for creating new emojis
• Host an emoji-themed trivia game with friends
• Use emojis creatively in your professional communications

3. National Yellow Pig Day – July 17th

History: National Yellow Pig Day originated from two math students at Princeton University in the 1960s who became fascinated with the number 17. They created the yellow pig as a mascot because 17 is the sum of the first four prime numbers (2+3+5+7=17), and yellow pigs became their symbol for this mathematical discovery.

Modern Relevance: This quirky holiday celebrates the beauty of mathematics and prime numbers, encouraging people to find joy in mathematical concepts. It demonstrates how academic curiosity can create lasting traditions and highlights the playful side of serious subjects.

How to Celebrate:

• Create yellow pig artwork using origami, clay, or digital art
• Learn about prime numbers and their mathematical significance
• Share 17 interesting facts about yourself or your favorite subject
• Bake yellow-colored treats shaped like pigs
• Organize math puzzles or games featuring the number 17

4. National Peach Ice Cream Day – July 17th

History: While the exact origins of this specific day are unclear, peach ice cream has been a beloved summer treat since the 18th century. George Washington reportedly spent$200 on ice cream during the summer of 1790, and peach was among the popular flavors served at Mount Vernon.

Modern Relevance: Peach ice cream represents the perfect summer indulgence, combining the seasonal freshness of peaches with the cooling comfort of ice cream. It supports local agriculture when made with fresh, local peaches and provides a healthier alternative to artificial flavors.

How to Celebrate:

• Make homemade peach ice cream using fresh, ripe peaches
• Visit local ice cream shops and try their peach flavors
• Create peach ice cream floats with ginger ale or lemonade
• Host a peach ice cream social with friends and neighbors
• Experiment with peach ice cream in desserts like pies or sundaes

5. World Day for International Justice – July 17th

History: World Day for International Justice was established to commemorate the adoption of the Rome Statute on July 17, 1998, which created the International Criminal Court. This day recognizes the importance of international criminal justice in addressing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Modern Relevance: In our interconnected world, international justice systems play crucial roles in maintaining global peace and accountability. This day reminds us of the ongoing need for fair legal systems that transcend national borders and protect human rights universally.

How to Celebrate:

• Learn about international human rights organizations and their work
• Support justice-focused charities or volunteer for legal aid organizations
• Read about historical and contemporary cases of international justice
• Participate in peaceful advocacy for justice causes you care about
• Share educational content about international law and human rights