Random Acts of Kindness Day

Random Acts of Kindness Day, observed February 17th, encourages people to perform small, unplanned acts of generosity and kindness toward others, whether strangers, coworkers, or loved ones. The observance was established by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in Denver, Colorado, which first celebrated the day in 1995 with the goal of making kindness a more visible, intentional, and normalized part of everyday culture rather than something reserved for special occasions. The foundation has since expanded its mission well beyond the single day, developing kindness-focused educational curricula used in schools and promoting research into the measurable effects of kindness on both givers' and receivers' wellbeing, with studies suggesting that performing kind acts can boost mood and reduce stress in ways similar to receiving kindness. The day is distinct from World Kindness Day, a separate international observance held November 13th and coordinated by a different global coalition of kindness organizations, though both share a similar underlying goal. Examples of "random acts" celebrated on the day range from small gestures like paying for a stranger's coffee or leaving an encouraging note, to larger efforts like volunteering or organized community service projects. On Random Acts of Kindness Day, people celebrate by intentionally looking for small ways to help or brighten someone else's day.