National Random Acts Of Kindness Day

Celebrated on 02/17/2026

Quick Fact

National Random Acts of Kindness Day, celebrated on February 17, encourages people to perform unexpected acts of kindness. Studies show that performing acts of kindness can boost happiness and even improve physical health by reducing stress.

Origins and Establishment of National Random Acts Of Kindness Day

National Random Acts of Kindness Day was founded in 1995 by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Denver, Colorado. The foundation aimed to inspire individuals to spread kindness through simple, spontaneous gestures. The day was chosen to be observed on February 17, though some celebrate it on the entire week surrounding that date.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Initially, the day was promoted through community events and school programs. Over time, it gained traction on social media platforms, with hashtags like #RandomActsOfKindnessDay encouraging global participation. Today, people celebrate by paying for a stranger's coffee, leaving encouraging notes, volunteering, or donating to charities. The day has expanded to include corporate initiatives and school curricula focused on social-emotional learning.

Facts & General Observations

• According to a 2020 study, 93% of adults in the U.S. believe that kindness is important, yet only 49% say they regularly perform random acts of kindness.
• Research shows that witnessing acts of kindness can increase a person's own likelihood of performing kind acts by up to 50%.
• The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation reports that their resources have been downloaded over 1 million times by educators and community leaders worldwide.

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