Speak Up and Succeed Day – Jan. 26, 2027

Speak Up and Succeed Day
Categories:
Tags:
AwarenessEducational
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Fourth Tuesday of January
Holiday emoji:
🗣️

Speak Up and Succeed Day empowers individuals to find their voice every fourth Tuesday of January. Established by speaker Mary-Ellen Drummond, this day emphasizes the transformative power of effective communication. Challenge yourself to speak up, share your insights, and unlock new opportunities in your career and personal life.

Want to sponsor Speak Up and Succeed Day? Learn how

Expected Speak Up and Succeed Day Deals

As a Recognition holiday focused on personal and professional development, Speak Up and Succeed Day inspires organizations to offer skill-building opportunities rather than sales. Look for special discounts on online courses from platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning focused on public speaking, presentation skills, and communication. Professional development providers such as Dale Carnegie Training and Toastmasters International often highlight special enrollment periods or free introductory workshops around this time. Many local community colleges and adult education centers may also promote discounted classes. We will update this page with confirmed live deals and educational resources as January 27 approaches.

Platform Guide for Speak Up and Succeed Day

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #SpeakUpAndSucceedDay. Share a professional anecdote about how speaking up helped your career.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #SpeakUpAndSucceedDay. Tweet a quick tip for overcoming public speaking anxiety or a powerful quote about communication.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #SpeakUpAndSucceedDay. Post a video sharing your personal ‘speak up’ story or a challenge to encourage others.

Social Media Tips for Speak Up and Succeed Day

Individuals

Challenge yourself to speak up in a meeting, ask a question in a large group, or share an idea with a colleague. Practice active listening to better understand others' perspectives.

Creators

Create short-form video content offering practical tips for public speaking, such as body language hacks, vocal exercises, or structuring a compelling narrative. Share your own journey of building confidence.

Brands

Host a virtual workshop on effective communication for your employees or community. Encourage testimonials from staff who have benefited from speaking up, highlighting internal growth opportunities.

Partners & Brands for Speak Up and Succeed Day

  1. Toastmasters International

    Founded in 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of promoting communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.

  2. Dale Carnegie Training

    Established in 1912 by Dale Carnegie, this global training organization focuses on improving performance through courses in leadership, sales, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. It has helped millions worldwide gain confidence and achieve success.

  3. Coursera

    Founded in 2012 by Stanford University computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, Coursera is a leading online learning platform offering courses, specializations, and degrees from top universities and companies. It features numerous programs on public speaking and communication.

  4. LinkedIn Learning

    Formerly Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning is an American online learning platform providing video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills. It offers a vast library of courses on communication, presentation, and leadership.

  5. National Communication Association

    Founded in 1914, the National Communication Association (NCA) is a scholarly society dedicated to advancing communication as an academic discipline. It promotes research, teaching, and service in all areas of human communication.

  6. Harvard Business Review

    Published by Harvard Business Publishing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Harvard University, Harvard Business Review (HBR) is a general management magazine. It frequently features articles, guides, and resources on effective communication and leadership.

  7. Garr Reynolds

    Garr Reynolds is a renowned author and speaker, best known for his book 'Presentation Zen,' which advocates for simpler, more effective presentations. His work emphasizes storytelling and visual communication to engage audiences.

Speak Up and Succeed Day Hero

Mary-Ellen Drummond

Mary-Ellen Drummond, a distinguished speaker and author, founded Speak Up and Succeed Day to underscore the critical importance of effective public speaking. Through her work, she has inspired countless individuals to overcome their fear of speaking and harness the power of their voice to achieve personal and professional goals, leaving a lasting legacy in communication empowerment.

History of Speak Up and Succeed Day

The ancient Greeks valued public discourse as an act of political participation. Aristotle (384 B.C. to 322 B.C.) is known to be one of the most significant proponents of rhetoric, i.e., the classical style of public speaking using the art of persuasion. The Classical Period educated citizens on public speaking from the early teachers known as Sophists. Sophists were self-appointed professors who imparted knowledge about how to succeed in the civic life of Greece.

In 106 B.C., Cicero, a Roman, became one of the most influential figures in public speaking of all time. He published many books which concentrated on the art of public speaking, and he created the five canons of rhetoric, a five-step process for developing a persuasive speech that we still use to teach public speaking today. The Enlightenment Period that started in 1600 A.D. revived the classical public speaking tradition. The classical rhetoric style evolved into the elocutionary approach, which focused on delivery and style by watching the speaker’s bodily actions such as gestures, vocal tone, facial expressions, and pronunciation.

From the 20th century onwards, public speaking became an essential skill included as a learning objective in school curriculums. Several competitions allowed students to participate and test their speaking skills. Different forms of public speaking like the Extempore, Just a Minute, Elocution, etc. came into the picture. Universities also established departments that taught communication and offered various public speaking exercises as soft skill courses to help students advance in their professional careers.

Speak Up and Succeed Day timeline

400 B.C.
Greek Citizens Learn Public Speaking

Citizens of ancient Greece learn public speaking from the early teachers known as Sophists.

106 B.C.
The Five Canons of Rhetoric

A Roman named Cicero creates a five-step process for developing the art of public speaking.

1600 A.D.
The Style Evolution

During the Enlightenment Period, the classical style of public speaking evolves into the elocutionary style, which studies the bodily movements of the orator.

20th Century
Public Speaking In School Curriculums

Public speaking becomes an essential skill offered in schools and universities as courses.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Speak Up and Succeed Day

Local businesses can champion Speak Up and Succeed Day by fostering a culture of open communication and professional growth. Consider hosting an internal ‘lunch and learn’ session on presentation skills or inviting a local public speaking coach for a workshop. Encourage employees to share ideas and provide a safe space for constructive feedback. Recognize team members who demonstrate strong communication, perhaps with a ‘Voice of the Month’ award, reinforcing the value of speaking up for collective success.

Speak Up and Succeed Day FAQs

When is Speak Up and Succeed Day?

In 2027, this empowering day is observed on Tuesday, January 26, serving as an early-year reminder to embrace the power of your voice.

How many people fear public speaking?

While exact figures vary, surveys consistently show that a large majority of adults, often around three out of four, report feeling nervous or anxious about speaking in front of a group, highlighting the day’s relevance.

What are the benefits of effective communication?

Mastering communication skills can significantly boost career advancement, improve personal relationships, and increase overall confidence. It allows individuals to articulate ideas persuasively and influence outcomes.

Is public speaking a soft skill?

Often grouped with other interpersonal abilities, public speaking is indeed a vital soft skill. It demonstrates confidence, clarity of thought, and the capacity to engage and persuade, making it highly valued in any industry.

How To Celebrate Speak Up and Succeed Day

  1. Raise your voice

    Challenge yourself to speak up today! You can take part in a local debate competition or even do a presentation in class.

  2. Spread awareness

    Use this day to spread awareness about how essential it is to be a good speaker. Go on your social media platforms and share the message with your followers.

  3. Motivate others

    Some people need an extra push before they can truly excel. If you are an educator, friend, or colleague, find the shy people around you and encourage them to speak up.

5 Fascinating Facts About Public Speaking

  1. The longest speech ever

    After speaking continuously for almost three days, Ajay Shesh set a Guinness World Record in the Longest Speech Marathon category.

  2. Quintilian’s 12-volume textbook on public speaking

    Quintilian, a Roman, published “Institutio Oratoria” in 95 A.D., which we still use today.

  3. John F. Kennedy was a great orator

    President Kennedy’s 1963 speech at the Berlin wall was one of the best pieces of oratory.

  4. Martin Luther’s speech received a medal

    A Black Civil Rights Activist, Luther’s “I Have a Dream” speech received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1997.

  5. 75% of people fear public speaking

    Around three out of four people in a group will admit to being terrified of public speaking.

Why We Love Speak Up and Succeed Day

  1. It helps us face our fears

    The day is necessary because it will help us challenge ourselves. We can only overcome our fears of public speaking by facing them head-on.

  2. It is an important skill

    A good public speaker gets noticed, therefore, it is crucial to be a confident and eloquent speaker to increase your visibility in any field.

  3. It allows us to voice our opinions

    Not only is it important to listen to others, but it is equally important to raise our voice. Unless we speak up, people will never know our opinions and thoughts.

Speak Up and Succeed Day dates

Year Date Day
2025 January 28 Tuesday
2026 January 27 Tuesday
2027 January 26 Tuesday
2028 January 25 Tuesday
2029 January 23 Tuesday