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National Graduation Tassel Day

It's time to toss those tassels and throw your caps in the air - it's National Graduation Tassel Day! Congrats, grads! 🎓

Monday

May 2027

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

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YEARLY DATEMay 17

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYSchool

SUBCATEGORYAcademic

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Congratulations to all recent graduates! It's time to proudly display that tassel on your cap for National Graduation Tassel Day on May 17. This day celebrates the hard work, dedication, and achievements of students who have successfully completed their academic journey. Did you know that the tradition of wearing a graduation tassel dates back to the 12th century? Back then, it was used as a practical way to keep hoods in place, but now it serves as a symbol of accomplishment and transition into the next phase of life. So let's raise our tassels high and cheers to all the amazing graduates out there!

TIMELINE

National Graduation Tassel Day Timeline

Tassel Usage Originates

Graduation tassels were first used in the 12th century as a way to keep hoods in place during academic ceremonies.

Emergence of Academic Dress

The 14th century saw the standardized usage of academic dress, including the introduction of graduation tassels, during ceremonies in universities.

Tassel Colors Significance

In the 19th century, different tassel colors began to represent different areas of study, further solidifying the tradition.

Moving the Tassel Ritual

The practice of moving the tassel from right to left to symbolize transition and accomplishment became popularized in late 20th century graduations.

National Graduation Tassel Day

National Graduation Tassel Day was officially registered and celebrated for the first time in 2015.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Graduation Tassel Day

Host a tassel decorating party

Gather your friends and some colorful decorations to create unique and personalized graduation tassels. This is a fun way to celebrate the day and make some special memories with your loved ones.

TAKE

Take a graduation tassel photoshoot

Put on your cap and gown and take a photoshoot with your graduation tassel. You can get creative with different poses and locations to capture this important milestone in your life.

CREATE

Create a graduation tassel memory board

Collect all of your graduation tassels from past graduations and create a memory board to display them. This is a great way to reminisce on your accomplishments and see how far you've come.

ORGANIZE

Organize a virtual tassel ceremony

Gather your friends and family online and have a virtual tassel ceremony. You can all don your graduation caps and tassels and celebrate together, even if you can't be in the same place.

CREATE

Create a DIY graduation tassel necklace

Use your graduation tassel to make a unique and meaningful necklace. This will be a special keepsake to remind you of your graduation day and all of your hard work.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Graduation Tassel Day

It holds sentimental value

For many graduates, their tassel holds sentimental value and becomes a cherished keepsake. It may remind them of their college friends, professors who made an impact, or special memories from their time in school. Plus, it's a great prop for graduation photos!

It marks the end of a significant chapter

Graduation tassel day is a bittersweet moment that symbolizes the end of one journey and the beginning of another. It's a time to reflect on all the hard work and achievements leading up to this point, and to look forward to what's to come.

It is a visual representation of success

The graduation tassel represents the years of dedication and perseverance that led to this milestone. It serves as a physical reminder of all the late nights studying, group projects, and exams that were endured on the journey to getting that diploma.

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