Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

January1–7

Silent Record Week – January 1-7, 2025

Silent Record Week is celebrated from January 1 to 7 annually. It invites all Americans to enjoy silent records, or just some plain ol’ peace and quiet. Silent records, as the name suggests, are silent recordings. The idea behind them is to appreciate and understand when to be silent and not be afraid of things being quiet. National Silent Record Week offers Americans a chance to be purely silent for a change and declutter their minds. The week-long event began in 1960, a year after jukeboxes at the University of Detroit began offering a selection of silent records.

History of Silent Record Week

Recording sounds began in 1877, thanks to the invention of the phonograph. Technically, Thomas Edison is responsible for the bloom of the sound recording era. This era saw sound recorders physically etching analogs of sound waves onto a surface. However, these early devices have a recording limit within the audible sound spectrum. 1925 saw the advent of electrical recording equipment designed by Western Electric. A broader range of audible sound could now be recorded, amplified, filtered, and balanced electronically. This period was referred to as the Electric Era.

The Magnetic Era began in 1945, post the Second World War, when the allied powers were able to get their hands on the German invention of magnetic tape recording. This new technology was slowly adopted and eventually led to the invention of stereo-recording. Multi-track tape recording was eventually made possible. The present era of sound recording — the Digital Era — has borne witness to changes and the development of technology at a never-before-seen speed. Sound waves, for the first time ever, were not recorded as analogs of sound, but small, discrete samples of sounds. Sony, in collaboration with Philips, created the very first compact disk (C.D.) to store recorded sound. The C.D. took the recording world by storm till the beginning of the 21st century. The advent of digital audio files, though, has made audio C.D.s virtually obsolete. Today, people listen to music in a variety of ways, from using the latest streaming apps to classic vinyl records.

Silent records have been a thing for decades now. As the name suggests, these recordings are completely silent, offering buyers and listeners the chance to enjoy dedicated minutes of silent peace. January 11, 1960, saw one of the first silent concerts and recording sessions at the Cass Theater. The same year also saw the very first Silent Record Week, a year after jukeboxes in the University of Detroit began offering a selection of silent records.

Silent Record Week timeline

1877
Phonograph Invention

Thomas Edison invents the phonograph.

1925
Digital Recording

Digital recording is made possible by Western Electric.

1959
Silent Recordings

The University of Detroit offers silent records in jukeboxes across the campus.

1960
The First National Silent Record Week

National Silent Record Week is celebrated for the first time.

Silent Record Week FAQs

Is there a sound of silence?

There is no place on Earth that is completely devoid of sound, thus silence often comes with ambient noises.

What noise is best for sleep?

Pink noise is best to help you fall asleep.

What do normal people hear in silence?

People tend to hear phantom noises in silence.

Silent Record Week Activities

  1. Listen to a silent record

    Spend the week enjoying minutes of silence. Listen to a silent record or recording.

  2. Look up the history of silent records

    Silent records are fascinating. Spend some time learning about them.

  3. Do something in silence

    Allow some peace and quiet for yourself by doing an activity in silence. Read a book, meditate, take a nap, whatever you’d like!

5 Interesting Facts About Silence

  1. Concentration

    Silence helps people concentrate.

  2. Creativity

    Silence and isolation often help boost creativity.

  3. Calmness

    Silence helps people experience a sense of calm.

  4. Brain growth

    Silence reportedly aids brain growth.

  5. Sleep and silence

    Silence can enhance sleep and lessen insomnia.

Why We Love Silent Record Week

  1. It’s a unique activity

    Listening to silent recordings is relatively unique. National Silent Record Week is a perfect opportunity to try it out.

  2. It highlights the importance of silence

    Silence has many benefits. National Silent Record Week highlights its importance.

  3. It’s an opportunity to enjoy silence

    Tired of the “loudness” of everyday life? National Silent Record Week is the perfect opportunity to slow down and enjoy silence for a bit.

Silent Record Week dates

YearDateDay
2025January 1Wednesday
2026January 1Thursday
2027January 1Friday
2028January 1Saturday
2029January 1Monday
Celebration of Life Week
Celebration of Life Week
Diet Resolution Week
Diet Resolution Week
National Time Consciousness Week
New Year’s Resolutions Week
Silent Record Week
World Series of Beer Pong
Apple Gifting Day
Apple Gifting Day
Commitment Day
Commitment Day
Copyright Law Day
Ellis Island Day
Ellis Island Day
Euro Day
Euro Day
National First-Foot Day
First-Foot Day
Global Family Day
Haitian Independence Day
International Public Domain Day
Mummer's Parade
National Bloody Mary Day
National Hangover Day
National Shepherd Day
New Year's Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
Polar Bear Plunge Day
Public Domain Day
Ring a Bell Day
Rose Bowl Game
Solemnity of Mary
Sudan Independence Day
Tournament of Roses Parade
Triumph of the Revolution
Triumph of the Revolution
Universal Hour of Peace
Universal Hour of Peace
World Day of Peace
Z Day
Z Day
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Apple and Apricot Month
Artichoke and Asparagus Month
Be Kind To Food Servers Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
California Restaurant Month
California Restaurant Month
Celebration Of Life Month
Celebration Of Life Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month
Clap 4 Health Month
Dry January
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
Financial Wellness Month
Financial Wellness Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get Ireland Active
Get Organized Month
Get Organized Month
Ginuary
International Brain Teaser Month
International Change Your Stars Month
International Child-Centered Divorce Month
International Creativity Month
International Creativity Month
International Quality of Life Month
International Wayfinding Month
International Wealth Mentality Month
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
Little Things Mental Health Campaign
Manuary
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Bath Safety Month
National Be On-Purpose Month
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Black Diamond Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Book Blitz Month
National Braille Literacy Month
National CBD Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Conscience Month
National Eye Care Month
National Eye Care Month
National Fiber Focus Month
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Hobby Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Meat Month
National Mentoring Month
National Menudo Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Personal Trainer Awareness Month
National Polka Month
National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month
National Radon Action Month
National Skating Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
National Slow Cooking Month
National Soup Month
National Staying Healthy Month
National Sunday Supper Month
National Thank You Month
National Train Your Dog Month
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
National Wheat Bread Month
Poverty Awareness Month
Poverty in America Awareness Month
Prune Breakfast Month
Receding Gums Awareness Month
Retail Bakers Month
Rising Star Month
Self-Love Month
Shape Up US Month
Stalking Awareness Month
START Child Health campaign
Teen Driving Awareness Month
Teen Driving Awareness Month
Thyroid Awareness Month
Tubers and Dried Fruit Month
Unchain a Dog Month
Veganuary
Walk Your Dog Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.