Smart is Cool Day – Oct. 22, 2026

Smart is Cool Day
Submit your updates or photos
Categories:
Tags:
AppreciationEducational
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every October 22
Holiday emoji:
🧠

Smart is Cool Day recognizes and appreciates intellect every October 22. This day encourages everyone to embrace their smarts, challenge outdated stereotypes, and celebrate the endless pursuit of knowledge. Share your passions, learn something new, and inspire others to value their own unique brilliance.

Want to sponsor Smart is Cool Day? Learn how

Expected Smart is Cool Day Deals

While specific 2027 promotions are still under wraps, Smart is Cool Day historically inspires deals on educational tools and brain-boosting activities. Look for discounts from online learning platforms like Coursera and edX, offering reduced prices on courses and certifications. Retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon may feature sales on non-fiction books, puzzles, and educational games. Tech brands like Apple and Microsoft might offer student discounts on devices or software. Even toy companies like LEGO and ThinkFun could promote STEM-focused products. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October 22 approaches.

Platform Guide for Smart is Cool Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #SmartIsCoolDay. Share quick facts, ‘did you know’ videos, or showcase a fun learning hack.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #SmartIsCoolDay. Post visuals of your favorite books, study spaces, or a ‘smart’ outfit of the day.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #SmartIsCoolDay. Share interesting articles, scientific breakthroughs, or engage in a lively debate about a smart topic.

Social Media Tips for Smart is Cool Day

Individuals

Showcase what makes you feel smart, whether it's a hobby, a skill, or a piece of knowledge you're proud of. Share a selfie with your favorite book or a screenshot of a completed online course.

Creators

Create content that debunks common myths about intelligence or highlights the 'cool' aspects of niche subjects. Interview experts, share educational tutorials, or host a fun trivia challenge with your audience.

Brands

Run a 'smart challenge' contest, asking followers to share their best problem-solving tips or innovative ideas related to your product or industry. Offer a prize that encourages further learning or intellectual growth.

Top Brands for Smart is Cool Day

  1. Khan Academy

    Founded in 2008 by Salman Khan, Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization offering free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. It provides practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace.

  2. Duolingo

    Launched in 2011 by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker, Duolingo is a popular language-learning app. With over 500 million registered users worldwide, it gamifies the learning process, making it accessible and engaging for millions looking to expand their linguistic intelligence.

  3. Coursera

    Founded in 2012 by Stanford University computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, Coursera offers online courses, specializations, and degrees from leading universities and companies. It has partnered with over 200 universities and companies to provide flexible, affordable, job-relevant online learning.

  4. LEGO

    The LEGO Group, founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen in Denmark, is renowned for its iconic interlocking toy bricks. Beyond play, LEGO products are celebrated for fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and STEM learning, making them a favorite among smart and curious minds.

  5. TED

    TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) began in 1984 as a conference where people from these three fields came together. Today, TED Talks cover a vast array of subjects, sharing 'ideas worth spreading' from leading thinkers and doers around the world, inspiring millions to learn and grow.

  6. Quizlet

    Founded in 2005 by Andrew Sutherland, Quizlet is a global learning platform that provides engaging study tools. It helps over 60 million students and teachers master any subject through flashcards, practice tests, and games, making studying more efficient and interactive.

  7. Nintendo

    Founded in 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi in Kyoto, Japan, Nintendo is a multinational consumer electronics and video game company. Known for innovative gaming experiences, they also produce 'brain training' games like Brain Age, which challenge cognitive abilities and promote mental agility.

Smart is Cool Day Hero

Marie Curie

Marie Curie, born Maria Skłodowska in 1867, was a pioneering physicist and chemist who conducted groundbreaking research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice, and the only person to win the Nobel Prize in two different scientific fields. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and profound intellect revolutionized science and continues to inspire generations of smart individuals worldwide.

History of Smart is Cool Day

The mainstream media does a poor job of portraying smart people. Oftentimes, they are used as punching bags or shown as annoying know-it-alls. Smart kids are often made fun of, they’re called nerds, and they feel they have to play down their intelligence to avoid being teased.

There’s so much more to being smart than topping the class or getting into an Ivy League school. Smart people are generally more empathetic, open-minded, and funny. It’s time to break the stereotypes.

Smart is Cool Day is observed to change the perception about smart people. It’s cool to be smart, and it’s fun to know things. Dedicating a day to all the smart folks amongst us is a great way to celebrate their gift. It also serves as a motivation for everyone to become the best version of themselves.

The origins of the day remain unclear, but the cause for celebration is not. Smart is Cool Day is the perfect opportunity for you to embrace the perks of being smart, shamelessly.

Smart is Cool Day timeline

1850
The Whims of Comparative Anatomy

Sir Francis Galton and Paul Broca delve into the idea of measuring human intelligence for the first time.

1904
The First I.Q. Test for Kids

Psychologists Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon develop the first test to measure children’s mental capacity

1917
The Army Alpha

American eugenicist Robert Yerkes introduces I.Q. tests to scout army personnel for World War I.

1940s
The I.Q. Evolution

Psychologist Raymond Cattell introduces the concepts of fluid and crystallized intelligence to I.Q. tests.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Smart is Cool Day

Local businesses can celebrate Smart is Cool Day by hosting trivia nights or educational workshops that align with their brand. Bookstores can offer discounts on non-fiction titles, while coffee shops might feature a ‘brain-fuel’ special for students. Tech companies could host free coding classes or offer consultations on smart home devices. Emphasize learning and curiosity, perhaps with a ‘smartest customer’ contest or by highlighting employees’ unique skills. Encourage customers to share their own smart moments using #SmartIsCoolDay.

Smart is Cool Day FAQs

When is Smart is Cool Day?

Smart is Cool Day 2026 falls on Thursday, October 22, encouraging everyone to celebrate their intellect and curiosity.

What are the benefits of being smart?

Being smart, whether academically or emotionally, offers numerous benefits from enhanced problem-solving skills to better decision-making. It fosters adaptability and resilience, allowing individuals to navigate complex situations more effectively in 2026.

How many people are pursuing higher education globally?

Globally, over 230 million students are enrolled in higher education, a number that continues to grow annually. This figure reflects a worldwide commitment to intellectual development and specialized knowledge in 2026.

What's the difference between intelligence and wisdom?

Intelligence refers to the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills, often measured by IQ. Wisdom, on the other hand, is the ability to use one’s knowledge and experience with good judgment, understanding, and insight, particularly in complex situations, a distinction valued in 2026.

How to Celebrate Smart is Cool Day

  1. Take an I.Q. test

    Why not? You can take a free and reliable I.Q. test online to measure yourself on this universally acclaimed intellectual benchmark. You may even score higher than your contemporaries, and ain’t that a good flex!

  2. Read “Einstein: His Life and Universe”

    Genius has a price. In his Einstein biography, Walter Isaacson delves into his convoluted journey to becoming one of the greatest physicists of all time. Read the book for a personal peek into the life and mind of one of the smartest people who ever walked the Earth.

  3. Embrace your smartness

    Smart is Cool Day serves as a great reminder for all of us to be smart about our passions. If you are a talented chef, a great biker, or a gifted musician, share it with the world.

5 Facts About I.Q. That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. It’s in the genes, baby

    It’s believed that 40% to 80% of I.Q. is inherited, and the points adding to the hereditary majority are based on environmental factors.

  2. I.Q. and social anxiety

    The higher the I.Q., the lesser the social anxiety — contrary to popular belief, smart people are great at making friends and are incredibly amiable.

  3. Creativity counts

    An I.Q. test measures divergent production, thoughtful reasoning, and pattern detection — all of which are a part of the creative process.

  4. You get it from your mama

    A McGill University study has concluded that breastfed children have a higher I.Q. than those who aren’t.

  5. Love your country? Improve your I.Q.

    A single point increase in a country’s average I.Q. can increase its per capita GDP by $229.

Why We Love Smart is Cool Day

  1. The ‘nerd’ slur is overrated

    The ‘geekification’ of smartness has always been harmful, and now it’s just boring. We have moved past the jokes about how smart people are bookworms with no real friends or lives outside of a library. In reality, smart people are incredibly attractive and desirable.

  2. We should strive to be smart

    Smart is Cool Day encourages you to make smart decisions and be the best version of yourself. It’s not a call to join the race for the first position, but a motivation to give your best in every sphere of life.

  3. Because Michelle Obama says so

    October 22 is a great day to stand in unison with former First Lady Michelle Obama, who once said, “I never cut class. I loved getting As, I liked being smart. I liked being on time. I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world.”

Smart is Cool Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 October 22 Thursday
2027 October 22 Friday
2028 October 22 Sunday
2029 October 22 Monday
2030 October 22 Tuesday