Annual observance

Go for Broke Day

April 5 Cultural / community observance Updated 2025-12-17

This holiday is featured in the Obscure Holiday Calendar app with emoji-style visuals, reminders, and daily fun facts.

Overview

Go for Broke Day, observed annually on April 5th, is an unofficial holiday that encourages individuals to take a significant risk, commit fully to a challenging endeavor, or pursue an ambitious goal without reservation. It's a day to embrace courage, step outside one's comfort zone, and make a wholehearted effort towards something important, embodying the spirit of going "all in" with complete dedication.

Observed each year on April 5, Go for Broke Day invites people to pause, share the story, and bring a little themed joy to their day.

Why it matters: Go for Broke Day, celebrated on April 5th, highlights the importance of taking risks and fully committing to personal goals, fostering a spirit of courage and determination. This observance encourages individuals to step outside their comfort zones, inspiring growth and resilience in the pursuit of meaningful achievements.

Origin and story

The idiom "go for broke" means to risk everything in an attempt to achieve something, often without concern for failure.

The phrase gained significant recognition as the motto of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a highly decorated Japanese-American unit in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Quick facts

  • DateApril 5
  • TypeCultural / community observance
  • Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams

Also on this date

Ways to celebrate

  • Pair music, snacks, or décor that match the theme and enjoy a small break.
  • Add Go for Broke Day to your Obscure Holiday Calendar app widget so you get a reminder next year.
  • Go for Broke Day lands on April 5 — host a quick nod with Friends, Families and snap a photo.
  • Write a note or journal entry on why Go for Broke Day matters, then set a reminder for next year.
  • Bring Go for Broke Day to work or school with a short shout-out in a meeting or group chat.

Fun facts

  • The idiom "go for broke" means to risk everything in an attempt to achieve something, often without concern for failure.
  • The phrase gained significant recognition as the motto of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a highly decorated Japanese-American unit in the U.S. Army during World War II.
  • While its exact origins as a holiday are obscure, "Go for Broke Day" serves as a modern reminder to seize opportunities and commit fully to personal or professional aspirations.

Sources and attribution

Source not provided.


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FAQ

When is Go for Broke Day?
It is observed on April 5 each year.
What is Go for Broke Day?
Go for Broke Day, observed annually on April 5th, is an unofficial holiday that encourages individuals to take a significant risk, commit fully to a challenging endeavor, or pursue an ambitious goal without reservation. It's a day to embrace courage, step outside one's comfort zone, and make a wholehearted effort towards something important, embodying the spirit of going "all in" with complete dedication.
How do people celebrate Go for Broke Day?
Pair music, snacks, or décor that match the theme and enjoy a small break.

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