Celebrated on 01/13/2026
The world's largest rubber duck, standing over 50 feet tall, has traveled to over 15 countries since its creation in 2007. National Rubber Ducky Day is celebrated on January 13th every year, a date that coincides with the anniversary of the first documented rubber duck patent in the United States.
The exact origins of National Rubber Ducky Day are somewhat murky, but the holiday is widely believed to have been established in the early 2000s by fans of the iconic bath toy. The date, January 13th, was chosen to honor the anniversary of the first rubber duck patent, which was granted to George H. Sanders on January 13, 1889. However, this patent was actually for a duck-shaped float, not a squeaky toy. The modern rubber duck as we know it gained popularity after the 1940s when it was produced by companies like Sun Rubber Company and later immortalized by Ernie's song "Rubber Duckie" on Sesame Street in 1970.
Over the decades, the rubber duck evolved from a simple bath toy to a global pop culture icon. The creation of the giant rubber duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman in 2007 sparked a worldwide phenomenon, with the duck appearing in harbors and festivals around the globe. Today, National Rubber Ducky Day is celebrated with duck-themed events, charity races where thousands of rubber ducks are released into rivers, and social media campaigns. Organizations like the Rubber Ducky Derby raise funds for various causes, while collectors seek rare and vintage ducks. The holiday has become a lighthearted occasion to embrace nostalgia and bring joy to people of all ages.
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