Nothing To Fear Day is observed annually on May 27. On this day in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Fear is a natural and necessary survival response. However, it can also be a negative emotion when it causes us to act irrationally. When we let fear rule our lives, we see things differently, become more cautious and timid, or overreact to circumstances in ways that are potentially dangerous to ourselves and others. Nothing To Fear Day is a time to evaluate ourselves and identify where our fears are. It drives us to even do things that keep us from being the best version of ourselves.
History of Nothing to Fear Day
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, also known as F.D.R., was an American politician and attorney who served as the 32nd President of the U.S. from 1933 to 1945. He won four presidential elections as a member of the Democratic Party and became a significant figure in world events during the 20th Century. During the Great Depression, Roosevelt commanded the federal government, executing his New Deal legislation in response to the country’s worst economic crisis. He formed the New Deal Coalition, which characterized modern liberalism in the U.S. throughout two decades of the 20th Century, as a dominating leader of his party.
On Saturday, March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd president of the U.S. in the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The inauguration took place following Democrat Roosevelt’s massive victory in the 1932 presidential election. With the country in the trenches of the Great Depression, Roosevelt’s inauguration speech was eagerly anticipated. The address, broadcasted nationwide on various radio networks and heard by tens of millions of Americans, set the tone for Roosevelt’s rapid response to the situation.
Roosevelt proceeded to deliver his 1,883-word, 20-minute-long inaugural address, using it to outline his plan for the Great Depression in detail. One of the most famous and referenced lines from his speech is, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Since then, the saying has been used to ward off any fear that holds us back from being our best versions. It has helped motivate many generations. Nothing To Fear Day is a reminder of F.D.R.’s powerful and ever-relevant message.
Nothing to Fear Day timeline
Future U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt is born.
Roosevelt defeats Herbert Hoover in a landslide.
President Roosevelt tells everyone that there is nothing to fear.
President Roosevelt passes away a few months into his fourth term.
Nothing to Fear Day FAQs
What causes the feeling of fear?
Fear starts in the part of the brain called the “Amygdala” in response to a threat.
How do we overcome fears?
While different methods work for everyone, the best way to do it is to face your fears head-on.
What is the fear of death called?
The fear of death or dying is called “Thanatophobia.”
Nothing to Fear Day Activities
Learn about your fears
The first step to addressing something is to become aware of it. Take a look inwards and try to identify what scares you and why. Get into the depth of what the fear truly is.
Analyze your fears
Fear often has an underlying explanation or emotion that can be hard to see at first. Try to break down your fears. Become aware of how nothing is as scary as it seems, and if it is, you are capable of handling it.
Conquer your fears
Understand and affirm that there is nothing you cannot overcome and nothing to fear. Listen to podcasts, read books, or even listen to Roosevelt’s speech to remind yourself of your strength.
5 Unconventional Fears
Xanthophobia
The fear of the color yellow.
Arachibutyrophobia
The fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of one’s mouth.
Octophobia
The fear of the number eight.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
The fear of long words.
Globophobia
The fear of balloons.
Why We Love Nothing to Fear Day
It is a great reminder
Fear can be a crippling feeling. It can be detrimental to our quality of life, relationships, experiences, and so much more. So the message that there is nothing to fear is a great thing to remind ourselves.
It is empowering
Much like repeating positive affirmations can improve our mindset, this message helps us believe that there is nothing to fear if we put our minds to it. What an empowering day!
It makes the world less scary
Whether dumb phobias or serious real-life fears, we are often surrounded by unpleasant thoughts and feelings. This reminder makes the world feel less scary and more full of great possibilities.
Nothing to Fear Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | May 27 | Monday |
| 2025 | May 27 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | May 27 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | May 27 | Thursday |
| 2028 | May 27 | Saturday |
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