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World Gratitude Day

Give thanks and express your appreciation on World Gratitude Day - share your gratitude with family, friends, and loved ones!

Monday

September 2026

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

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YEARLY DATESeptember 21

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYHealth

SUBCATEGORYSelf-Care

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Make sure to pause and reflect on the many good things in your life this World Gratitude Day on Sept. 21! This day is all about taking a moment to express appreciation for what we have - from our family, friends, health, and material possessions. It's believed that expressing gratitude can bring us more of the same positive feelings. The holiday has been celebrated since 1965 when it was first established by Robert Emmons of UC Davis and Dr. Jeffrey Froh at Hofstra University in New York City as an occasional event with larger scale celebrations every ten years or so since then!

TIMELINE

World Gratitude Day Timeline

World Gratitude Day Establishment

World Gratitude Day was first established by Robert Emmons and Dr. Jeffrey Froh to highlight the importance of expressing gratitude.

Decade Anniversary

The first decade anniversary of World Gratitude Day was celebrated, indicating the increasing recognition of the day.

UN Recognition

United Nations officially recognized World Gratitude Day, promoting international attention and participation.

30th Anniversary

World Gratitude Day celebrated its 30th anniversary, reflecting its long-standing tradition of promoting gratitude.

Online Celebrations

With the rise of social media, World Gratitude Day celebrations were amplified online, reaching a larger audience globally.

50th Anniversary

The 50th anniversary of World Gratitude Day was celebrated with large-scale events and increased global participation.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate World Gratitude Day

Write down your blessings

Take a moment to consider all the good in your life and write it down. This can be as simple as listing five things you are grateful for today or even writing a letter to someone who has impacted your life positively.

Share your gratitude

Say thank you to someone who has made a difference in your life, send an unexpected card of thanks, or spread kindness by doing something nice for someone else.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer

Find a way to give back to the community on World Gratitude Day. Whether it’s donating items to a food pantry, helping out at an animal shelter, or teaching a local craft workshop, there are plenty of ways to volunteer your time.

TAKE

Take time for yourself

Find time each day to practice self-care. Spend some time meditating, reading, journaling, or doing something else that brings you joy.

PRACTICE

Practice random acts of kindness

Do something thoughtful for someone else without expecting anything in return. Buy the person behind you in line coffee, give a compliment to a stranger, or pick up litter around the park.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why World Gratitude Day is Important

It builds stronger connections with those around us

Expressing gratitude doesn't just benefit those on the receiving end; it has benefits for the giver too. Not only can acknowledging the good in others help you build relationships with co-workers or friends, but being mindful of the kindness of others can even lead to improved physical health over time!

It reminds us to be thankful

Every day can be a struggle, but World Gratitude Day provides an opportunity to take a step back and reflect on all that we are thankful for. From the people in our lives to the experiences we've had, there is often so much to appreciate - it's important to not take our blessings for granted!

It encourages us to give back

Gratitude isn't just about recognizing what you have, it's also about doing something to make a difference. On World Gratitude Day, it's important to think of ways we can help others who may not be as fortunate. From volunteering your time at a shelter or donating money to a charity, there are plenty of ways to show your appreciation and make the world a better place.