- Categories:
- Special Interest
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- ActivitiesAppreciation
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- 3rd Thursday of May
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- 📓
National Notebook Day inspires us to put pen to paper every third Thursday of May. This day encourages recording thoughts, events, and information, fostering focus and creativity. Grab your favorite notebook, jot down your wildest dreams, or simply make a list. Embrace the power of a blank page and capture your world!
Want to sponsor National Notebook Day? Learn how
Expected National Notebook Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows National Notebook Day often brings exciting deals from top stationery brands and retailers. Look for discounts on premium notebooks from Moleskine and Leuchtturm1917, perfect for journaling or bullet planning. Major office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot typically offer sales on bulk notebooks, pens, and organizational tools. Retailers such as Target and Amazon are likely to feature special bundles on writing instruments from brands like Pilot Pen and Sakura of America, alongside unique journals and planners. Specialty stores like Paper Source may also provide exclusive offers on artisan stationery. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 20 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Notebook Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalNotebookDay. Share your favorite notebook setup or a flat lay of your journaling essentials.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalNotebookDay. Film a ‘what’s in my notebook’ video or a time-lapse of a journal entry.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalNotebookDay. Share tips for starting a journaling habit or showcase your oldest notebook.
National Notebook Day Hero
Leonardo da Vinci
History of National Notebook Day
What do you like about notebooks? Maybe it’s the feel of a pen on paper or the freedom to express your thoughts in writing. Taking notes helps you remember important lessons, and using notebooks is a great way to organize your thoughts.
The first legal pad was invented in 1888 by an American named Thomas William Holley. At that time, he worked for a small paper mill. He used to make inexpensive notebooks out of scrap paper and sell them from his home. One day, a judge from Jersey City wanted to buy a few notebooks from him and suggested that he stitch the paper together with a cardboard backing to be more durable and easy to write on.
In 1924, the spiral notebook was said to have made its debut. Edward Podosek, an English inventor with many patents, is often credited for the invention. Although he may not have been the inventor of the spiral notebook, he was the first person known to have used them to record information.
National Notebook Day was started by a stationery company called May Design in 2016. The company encourages people all over the world to post pictures on social media with their notebooks.
National Notebook Day timeline
Notebooks are made by hand by drawing on them into gatherings that are bound at a later time.
It is created by an American named Thomas William Holley, who works for a small paper mill.
Edward Podosek, an English inventor with many patents, is given credit for the invention.
National Notebook Day is started by a stationery company called May Design in 2016.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Notebook Day
Local businesses can honor National Notebook Day by encouraging creativity and organization. Stationery shops could offer discounts on notebooks and pens, or host a ‘notebook customization’ event. Coffee shops might create a quiet ‘writing nook’ for customers to journal, perhaps with a special discount for those seen writing. Bookstores could feature displays of journaling guides and creative writing prompts, inspiring patrons to fill their pages. These activations foster community and and celebrate the enduring value of handwritten thought.
National Notebook Day FAQs
When is National Notebook Day?
In 2027, National Notebook Day falls on Thursday, May 20. This annual observance encourages everyone to embrace the benefits of journaling and handwritten notes.
How many notebooks are sold annually?
The global stationery market, including notebooks, continues to see robust sales, with annual figures often exceeding 1.5 billion units. This consistent demand highlights the enduring appeal of traditional note-taking and journaling.
What are the benefits of keeping a notebook?
Regularly using a notebook can significantly boost mental clarity and problem-solving skills. The act of writing by hand helps to process information more deeply, making it an invaluable tool for both personal reflection and professional development.
What's the difference between a notebook and a journal?
A notebook is generally a versatile writing pad for any purpose, from class notes to meeting minutes. In contrast, a journal implies a more personal and continuous record, often used for self-expression, emotional processing, or documenting life events over time.
National Notebook Day Activities
Make your own notebook
You can use a variety of materials to make your own notebook. For a basic version though, you need only two things: paper, and something to hold the paper together. These can be staples, thread, or even an elastic band. You could also punch holes in the paper and tie it together with ribbon or string. You might want to decorate your cover so it's easier to identify later.
Take your notebook everywhere
Take your notebook with you and make notes throughout the day. You never know when the need will arise to write something down. Use your notebook for whatever inspires you.
Read your old notebook
Recall moments from the past as you go through what you wrote in your old notebook. Take an extract from it, and post it on social media.
5 Facts About Paper You Didn't Know
Not all paper is made from wood
The first Chinese paper was made from cloth scraps and pieces of hemp material.
Paper money is not paper at all
Our paper money is not made from paper — instead, the U.S. paper currency is composed of 75% cotton and 25% linen for durability.
It's nearly 2,000 years old
Paper is a Chinese invention — it was first created in Lei-Yan by Ts’ai Lun, a court official.
The word ‘paper’ comes from ‘papyrus’
We derived the English word ‘paper’ from the Egyptian word ‘papyrus.’
90 million tons every year
Americans use more than 90 million tons of paper and paperboard every year.
Why We Love National Notebook Day
It promotes creativity
National Notebook Day is dedicated to preserving the art of handwriting and notebook making while promoting creativity and self-expression through writing by hand. National Notebook Day is a day to celebrate everyone's writing style.
It makes our children more creative
National Notebook Day is a chance to encourage children to use notebooks creatively. Children can draw pictures of what they do during the day, play games like tic-tac-toe, or design their own notebook covers.
It creates appreciation
On National Notebook Day, people get the chance to show their appreciation for notebooks by taking the time to reflect on how they help us achieve our goals in life. While this day was created with a focus on writing and doodling, notebooks can also be used to document many other things like sketches, lists, recipes, and more.
Social Media Tips for National Notebook Day
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