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National Paperclip Day

Make sure to mark National Paperclip Day in your calendar - show your appreciation for the tiny but mighty paperclip with some fun activities!

Saturday

May 2027

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

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YEARLY DATEMay 29

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYLifestyle

SUBCATEGORYHousehold Gadgets

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Celebrate National Paperclip Day on May 29th by embracing the power of this simple yet essential tool! The paperclip has been an iconic symbol for generations, used to help organize our papers and keep important documents together. Its versatility makes it one of the most popular office supplies around. Interestingly, the modern-day paperclip was patented more than 100 years ago in 1899 and is believed to have originated in Norway before being adopted all over the world.

TIMELINE

National Paperclip Day Timeline

Paperclip Patent

Johan Vaaler, a Norwegian patent clerk, patents an early design of the paperclip. His design lacked effectiveness but mashed the idea.

Gem's Success

The more practical and now globally recognized "Gem" clip was introduced successfully, recognizably designed as two intertwined loops of metal.

Mass Production

Changes in production methods allowed for more rapid mass production of paperclips, significantly reducing their cost and increasing their use in offices around the world.

Symbol of Resistance

During World War II, Norwegians started wearing paperclips as a silent symbol of solidarity and resistance against Nazi occupation.

Clippy Debuts

Microsoft introduces "Clippy", the paperclip assistant for Microsoft Office Suite, now a piece of pop culture tied to memories of 90s computing.

Recognition in Film

The paperclip's historical role is recognized in the documentary film "The Secret Life of a Paperclip".

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Paperclip Day

Design a paperclip necklace

Put together a few colorful paperclips and design a unique necklace. You can even add a few charms or beads to give it a more personal touch.

CREATE

Create a paperclip art piece

Gather some paperclips of different sizes and colors and create a unique art piece. You can use them to create a sculpture or hang them on the wall in an interesting pattern.

PLAY

Play paperclip games

Gather up some friends and play a game of paperclip basketball or rock, paper, scissors with paperclips as markers. You can also set up paperclip obstacle courses to challenge your friends.

WRITE

Write a paperclip story

Gather some colorful paperclips and start writing a story about what the paperclip's journey was like, from being manufactured to ending up in your desk drawer.

MAKE

Make paperclip crafts

Get creative with some paperclips and make some cute crafts such as holders for post cards, bookmarks, letter openers, or even jewelry.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Paperclip Day

Paperclips are affordable

One of the best things about paperclips is that they're incredibly affordable. You can buy them in bulk packs from office supply stores or even just a few at your local supermarket. Plus, they're very durable and easy to reuse over and over again, so you'll save money in the long run!

Paperclips are useful

Paperclips are one of the most convenient office supplies. They're perfect for holding multiple loose sheets of paper together, or organizing important papers into different categories. Plus, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet any need!

Paperclips come in fun colors and designs

Gone are the days when paperclips only came in boring silver or black. Nowadays, you can get paperclips in all sorts of fun colors and designs like heart shapes, polka dots, stripes and more! So if you're feeling extra creative, why not add a pop of color (and organization!) to your desk with some adorable paperclips?

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