National Day on Writing

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Activities Educational Fun
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every October 20
Holiday emoji:: ✍️

National Day on Writing encourages everyone to put words on paper, or screen, every October 20. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a casual doodler, this day is a perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity. Join students, teachers, and professionals across the nation in recognizing the importance of writing in our daily lives and for personal growth.

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Expected National Day on Writing Deals

As National Day on Writing approaches, look for educational institutions and retailers to offer special promotions. In past years, brands like MasterClass and Skillshare have provided discounts on writing courses, while software companies like Scrivener and Grammarly have run sales on their premium subscriptions. Stationery brands such as Moleskine and Pilot Pen often feature deals on notebooks and writing instruments, encouraging new projects. Local bookstores like Barnes & Noble may host writing workshops or offer discounts on writing guides. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October 20 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Day on Writing

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalDayOnWriting. Share a photo of your writing space, a favorite notebook, or a snippet of your latest work.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalDayOnWriting. Join the conversation by sharing your writing tips, favorite quotes, or a micro-story.

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #NationalDayOnWriting. Discuss the importance of clear communication and professional writing in the workplace.

National Day on Writing Hero

William Shakespeare

Widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, William Shakespeare (1564–1616) penned 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and numerous other poems. His works, including 'Hamlet' and 'Romeo and Juliet,' continue to be performed and studied globally, demonstrating the enduring power of the written word. He profoundly shaped modern English and literary tradition.

History of National Day on Writing

This day is actually an initiative of the National Council of Teachers of English — built on the premise that writing is critical to literacy but needs greater attention and celebration.

As they see it, people tend to think of writing in terms of “pencil-and-paper assignments,” but no matter who you are, writing is part of your life. It’s part of how you work, how you learn, how you remember, and how you communicate. It gives voice to who you are and enables you to give voice to the things that matter to you.

For the past 11 years, the group has seen thousands of people share their responses and engage in activities around the theme of #WhyIWrite. Their collective voices are raising the volume on this issue. They are looking forward to their best National Day on Writing yet.

Recent NCTE initiatives include:

creating the first standards for reading, writing, and literacy assessment;
defining 21st century literacy and the skills needed to achieve it;
developing influential position statements on intellectual and academic freedom; and
championing diversity in literature and the development of culturally relevant teaching practices.

National Day on Writing timeline

3000 BC

First written language

The Sumerians of the Akkadian empire developed a writing system based on pressing marks into wet clay using a stylus. Many of these clay tablets survived.

1865

The first typewriter

Rasmus Malling-Hansen invented the first commercially sold typewriter. Soon, typed correspondence became the standard for every type of writing except personal correspondence. Typing became an invaluable skill.

1971

First e-mail written

Ray Tomlinson, a computer engineer at MIT, sent an email to a computer sitting right next to him. He doesn't remember exactly what he wrote.

1995

“Print on-demand”

The tech boom makes it possible to create a high quality book equal to those produced by traditional publishers. Authors are now able to upload a manuscript, choose a format and a cover, and print as needed. This eliminates the cost of storing unsold copies.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Day on Writing

Local businesses can celebrate National Day on Writing by encouraging both employees and customers to engage with the written word. Cafes and bookstores can host open mic nights or writing workshops, offering discounts on coffee and stationery. Marketing agencies might share tips on effective copywriting or run a social media campaign inviting followers to share their favorite writing. Any business can foster a culture of clear communication by emphasizing the importance of well-crafted emails and reports.

National Day on Writing FAQs

When is National Day on Writing?

National Day on Writing 2026 is observed on Tuesday, October 20. This annual event encourages individuals across the nation to engage with and appreciate the power of written expression.

Why is writing important?

Writing is crucial for effective communication, critical thinking, and self-expression. It allows us to document history, share knowledge, and connect with others across time and space. The act of writing also helps to clarify thoughts and develop ideas.

Who created National Day on Writing?

National Day on Writing was established by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) in 2009. The NCTE initiated this day to highlight the significance of writing in all its forms and across all disciplines.

How can I participate in National Day on Writing?

You can participate by writing anything from a journal entry, a poem, a short story, or even a thoughtful social media post. Many schools and organizations host special events, workshops, or writing challenges to encourage engagement.

National Day on Writing Activities

Keep track of all the writing you do
Text message? Birthday card? Tweet? Keep track of them all, and find out how much you really write! Share your numbers with friends and see who writes most.
Play some language games
If not for our writing prowess, we couldn't participate in spelling bees, Scrabble, Scattergories, Taboo, Mad Libs, Hangman, and many others. Celebrate your word power with a round of your favorite word game.
Write something outside your comfort zone
Have you ever written lyrics to a song? A sonnet? A piece of flash fiction? A toast? Venture into an unfamiliar territory, writing-wise, and let those creative juices flow. You may surprise yourself.

5 Wild Word Facts

The longest possible word
That honor goes to "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis", which is a lung disease.
A word that looks the same when turned upside down
That would be "swims."
A word that has all the vowels in alphabetical order
For this one you could choose between "facetious" and "abstemious".
A word that doesn't mean anything
There are several "ghost words" that have appeared in dictionaries thanks to printing errors. The most popular one is "dord," which appeared in several dictionaries in the 20th century.
A word that didn't exist yesterday
Grammarians estimate that a new word is added to the English language every two hours.

Why We Love National Day on Writing

We write more than we think
It's hard to add up how much a person actually writes, but one study showed that the average office worker writes the length of a novel every year — in emails alone! You're probably relying on your ability to write more than you ever considered.
Too many people can't write
One of the purposes of the National Day on Writing™ is to call attention to the fact that, with our workplaces more computerized than ever, writing is a truly valuable skill. Despite this, there are 32 million adults in the U.S. who can't write a simple email — and that number hasn't changed in ten years.
Writing is crucial to identity
Writing isn't just a way to communicate. By writing we tell stories about ourselves, express our emotions, and draw attention to causes that matter to us. It's hard to overestimate the power that a finely honed writer's craft can bring you.