National Day
National Unfriend Day
Celebrated on 11/17/2026
Quick Fact
National Unfriend Day, celebrated on November 17, was created by talk show host Jimmy Kimmel in 2009 to encourage people to unfriend Facebook friends they don't actually know or like. The holiday highlights the importance of maintaining genuine connections in the digital age.
Origins and Establishment of National Unfriend Day
National Unfriend Day was first introduced by comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel on his show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on November 17, 2009. Kimmel declared the day as a time for Facebook users to go through their friend lists and unfriend people they don't truly care about, such as acquaintances, ex-partners, or people they barely know. The idea was to promote more meaningful social media interactions by reducing digital clutter.
Evolution and Modern Commemoration
The holiday gained traction as social media usage expanded, with many people embracing the concept of digital decluttering. Over time, National Unfriend Day has evolved beyond Facebook to include other platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Today, it is observed by individuals who use the day to audit their social media connections, unfollow accounts that add no value, and focus on quality over quantity in their online networks. Some people also use it as an opportunity to reflect on their digital well-being.
Facts & General Observations
- According to a 2021 survey, the average Facebook user has about 338 friends, but only interacts regularly with a small fraction of them.
- Jimmy Kimmel's original National Unfriend Day segment in 2009 led to over 200,000 people unfriending someone within the first 24 hours.
- The term "unfriend" was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2009, the same year the holiday was created.