Learn more fun facts on the National Email Week Video Page.
- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- AppreciationTechnology
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Week starting with the 2nd Monday of June
- Holiday emoji:
- 📧
National Email Week, celebrated annually in the second week of June, recognizes the profound impact of email on global communication. From personal messages to professional exchanges, email remains a cornerstone of digital life. Take time this week to appreciate its efficiency, streamline your inbox, and connect meaningfully.
Want to sponsor National Email Week? Learn how
Expected National Email Week Deals
As National Email Week approaches, businesses often highlight tools and services that enhance digital communication and productivity. Expect software providers like Microsoft (Outlook), Google (Gmail), and Zoho Mail to offer trial extensions or discounts on premium features. Cybersecurity firms such as Norton and McAfee may promote special rates on email protection suites. Additionally, email marketing platforms like Mailchimp and Constant Contact might run promotions for new subscribers or feature-rich upgrades. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June approaches.
Platform Guide for National Email Week
Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #NationalEmailWeek. Share insights on email best practices, productivity hacks, and the future of digital communication.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalEmailWeek. Tweet about your favorite email client, share quick tips, or discuss the evolution of email over the years.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalEmailWeek. Post about how email has impacted your professional or personal life, or share funny email anecdotes.
National Email Week Hero
Ray Tomlinson
History of National Email Week
Emails came into the picture soon after the internet was invented, or maybe even slightly before that. The first example of what can be called an email can be found on the computers of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in a program called MAILBOX, back in 1965. People using MIT computers could leave messages with this program on computers at the university for others, who would see the messages once they are logged on to the computer. Then came the U.S. Department of Defense, which implemented the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) in 1969, which was a network connecting many computers across the department for communication within the organization.
But it was in 1971 that Ray Tomlinson invented and developed the electronic mail we know and love today, by creating ARPANET’s networked email system. He was the genius behind coming up with the @ symbol, which may now be his most enduring contribution to the internet. Typing in the destination for an email became as simple as addressing it: username@name of computer, which is pretty much how emails have been addressed ever since.
By the 1980s, internet service providers had begun connecting people across the world, and email hosting sites began popping up to get in on the action. By 1993, the bulky term electronic mail was replaced by email, and internet use had become more common.
Over the next few years, America Online (AOL), Echomail, Hotmail, and Yahoo shaped the internet and the email landscape by reaching a wide audience. In the late 1990s internet use exploded with nearly 400 million users by 1999. Today, we’ve come a long way from emails being considered a novelty, to now becoming a necessity.
National Email Week timeline
The earliest version of what would become an email is invented at MIT.
On October 29, the first message is sent from one computer to another on ARPANET.
American computer programmer Tomlinson comes up with the @ symbol to send emails to different computers effectively.
Queen Elizabeth II sends an email on ARPANET and becomes the first head of state to do so.
The first version of Microsoft Mail is released for Mac OS, which allows AppleTalk Networks users to send messages to each other.
CompuServe starts an internet-based email service by offering internet connectivity through dial-up phone connections.
Microsoft Outlook’s first version is released while, at the same time, U.S. internet service provider AOL connects its email system.
Hotmail, developed by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith, is launched, followed by Yahoo Mail a year later.
Although a late entrant, Gmail begins life as an internal mail system for Google employees.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Email Week
Local businesses can leverage National Email Week by offering special promotions or educational content centered around email. Tech repair shops could provide discounts on email setup or troubleshooting services. Marketing agencies might host free webinars on effective email campaign strategies for small businesses. Retailers can engage customers with exclusive email-only sales, encouraging newsletter sign-ups and highlighting the value of direct digital communication.
National Email Week FAQs
When is National Email Week?
In 2026, National Email Week runs from Monday, June 8, through Sunday, June 14, celebrating the enduring power of digital correspondence.
How many emails are sent daily?
Globally, it’s estimated that over 360 billion emails are sent and received each day, highlighting email’s massive scale and continued relevance as a communication channel.
What is the economic impact of email marketing?
Email marketing consistently delivers a high return on investment, with many studies showing an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent, making it a crucial tool for businesses.
Who invented email?
Ray Tomlinson is widely credited with inventing email in 1971, developing the first system to send messages between users on different computers connected to ARPANET.
National Email Week Activities
Send an email
Send an email to your friends and family letting them know it’s National Email Week! What could be a better way to celebrate the best form of communication there is than using it?
Organize your mailbox
Sift through the thousands of unread emails, spam, and subscriptions you have to clear out your mailbox. This will help you prioritize work and help you professionally as well as personally.
Set up email accounts for others
Help set up emails for the elders in your family who may not have much experience with it. Emails are an indispensable part of our lives and having your account could significantly improve their lives!
5 Facts About Emails That Will Blow Your Mind
“You’ve Got Mail”
Emails also became popular thanks to the 1998 Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movie, “You’ve Got Mail.”
The time spent checking emails
People on average spend 5.4 hours per day checking their emails.
Emails can be stressful
People who reduce the number of times they check their emails are significantly less stressed, according to research.
Bill Clinton didn’t send too many
Clinton claims to have only sent two emails as president.
Emojis for the win
Mail marketers have found that using emojis in their subject lines increases open rates.
Why We Love National Email Week
They’re fast
You’ve got something to say? Send out a mass email to as many people as you want at the speed of lightning. Your message can reach around the world in a matter of seconds. It truly is magic.
You can send them from anywhere
Emails are great because you can send them while you’re cooking up a mean lasagna or walking your dog in the park or are on holiday and no one will ever know. Hey, you’re not slacking off, you’re just being effective!
They’re cheap
Sending an email as an individual is practically free if you’ve already got access to the internet. Compare this to the good old days where important documentation would have to be printed out and sent across the world — all while hoping the post office doesn’t lose it!
National Email Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | June 8–14 | Monday–Sunday |
| 2027 | June 14–20 | Monday–Sunday |
| 2028 | June 12–18 | Monday–Sunday |
| 2029 | June 11–17 | Monday–Sunday |
| 2030 | June 10–16 | Monday–Sunday |
Social Media Tips for National Email Week
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