National Nothing Day
About National Nothing Day
When is National Nothing Day? This holiday is always observed on January 16
National Nothing Day is quite simply… a day for nothing. This January 16 holiday is an “un-event”. The expectation is that we do not create or otherwise promote this day. In other words, we do nothing, too. And, to say anything more would contradict the purpose of this day. Why, those who literally follow the theme for this day cannot even get out of bed.
Celebrate this day by doing….nothing. It is a day of idleness and inactivity. Of course, that assumes that doing nothing is okay with your boss.
When we first documented this page, we thought about creating a page with just the title “National Nothing Day” on it…. nothing else. There would not be anything to see, read or do. You would be unable to navigate backward or forward….. nothing. Then, our sanity returned.
Seriously though, columnist and humorist Harold Pullman Coffin proposed an “Un-Event” in 1972. His stated objective is a day with no celebrations, observances, or other events. We wonder what the folks who created Appreciate a Dragon Day have to say about the stated objective of National Nothing Day. Appreciate a Dragon Day is also celebrated on January 16.
Did You Know? In 1992, a Seinfeld television episode titled “The Pitch” aired. George Constanza proposed the creation of a TV show about Nothing.
How to Celebrate National Nothing Day
Get into the spirit of this special holiday. There’s nothing to it! Here are some ideas:
- Do not set your alarm clock. This is a great day to catch up on your sleep.
- When you get up in the morning, do not make your bed.
- After meals, leave the dishes in the sink Note: You are allowed to put things into the dishwasher. After all, you have to set them down somewhere.
- There will be no vacuuming, dusting, mopping, or clothes washing and ironing.
- Hire a maid, butler, and cook for the day.
- Take the day off from work.
Today's Quote
“If you live to be 100 you’ve got it made. Very few people die past that age.” – – George Burns
History and Origin of National Nothing Day
in 1972 columnist and humorist Harold Pullman Coffin proposed an “Un-Event”. His objective for this day is to not celebrate anything at all. There is no celebration, commemoration, or observance. In 1973, it became a formal holiday when it was added to Chase’s Calendar of Events.
There is no evidence to suggest that Nothing Day is truly a “national” day, which requires an act of Congress. Even if it had been proposed to Congress, they would have done…. nothing. And origally, it was called
Definition of “National” Days – Find out why it is important to distinguish true National days.
This Day in History
In addition to National Nothing Day, here are some of the things that happened on this day:
- Operation Desert Storm begins to oust Saddam Hussein’s’ Iraqi forces from Kuwait. (1991)
- Race car driver A.J. Foyt was born on this day in 1935.
Related Holidays
People who like National Nothing Day will also enjoy:
More January 16 Holidays
Here is another January 16 holiday we are certain you will enjoy:
More About Today
Recipe of the Day: Banana Bread
Plant of the Day: Marjoram
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Did You Know? In addition to National Nothing Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. Many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.