103 saved#2,174 of 6,224

Get Ready Day

Show your readiness for anything life throws at you on Get Ready Day - start by getting organized, setting goals and making plans!

Thursday

September 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATEThird Thursday in September

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPublic Health

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate Get Ready Day on the Third Thursday of September! This special day was created to motivate people to get organized and prepared for the upcoming year. It's also a great opportunity for families, friends, and coworkers to come together and take part in activities that are designed to help them be more productive and efficient. Whether it's creating a budget, setting goals, or making a plan of action - Get Ready Day is all about getting ready for whatever comes your way! So let's get ready for another amazing year.

TIMELINE

Get Ready Day Timeline

Establishment of Get Ready Day

Get Ready Day was established by the American Public Health Association (APHA) to aid in preparedness plans for all aspects of life.

Increasing Participation

Within two years of the initiation, the day saw exponentially increased nationwide participation, including private sector involvement.

Get Ready Day Goes Global

The United Nations recognized the importance of this day, promoting worldwide awareness for crisis preparedness.

Expanding Scope

The initiative expanded to include preparation for financial and personal success, making it far-reaching and inclusive.

Get Ready Day in Schools

Schools began to incorporate Get Ready Day into their curriculum, emphasizing the importance of preparedness at a young age.

Pandemic Importance Highlighted

The global COVID-19 pandemic underlined the significance of being prepared for unexpected situations.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Get Ready Day

Check your emergency supplies

Make sure you have flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit and other emergency supplies on hand. Check expiration dates and replace any items that are no longer good.

CREATE

Create an emergency plan

Sit down with your family and create a plan in case of an emergency. Include an evacuation plan, a meeting point, and a list of contacts for each family member.

GATHER

Gather important documents

Make sure all important documents are in one place and easily accessible in case of an emergency. This includes birth certificates, passports, insurance cards, social security numbers, etc.

ORGANIZE

Organize a safety drill

Organize a safety drill with your family to make sure everyone is prepared in case of an emergency. Practice evacuating the house and meeting up at your designated location.

EDUCATE

Educate yourself

Take some time to educate yourself on the basics of disaster preparedness. Research local resources that are available in case of an emergency.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Get Ready Day

It promotes disaster awareness

By participating in Get Ready Day, we are helping to spread awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and how it affects our safety and wellbeing. This increased knowledge can help people become more informed and aware of what steps they should take if faced with an emergency situation.

It reminds us to be prepared

Get Ready Day is a great reminder to take the time to prepare for potential disasters or emergencies, whether it's packing an emergency kit in case of a hurricane or earthquake, or having your documents ready if you need to evacuate. Preparing ahead of time can help reduce stress and make sure you're covered in any situation.

It encourages community involvement

Get Ready Day not only helps individuals to be prepared, but also encourages neighbors and communities to get involved. By working together, everyone can help ensure everyone is safe and taken care of in times of distress.