When is World Hello Day?

It is observed on November 21 each year.

What is World Hello Day?

World Hello Day is a secular observance held every November 21 that promotes the idea that conflicts should be resolved through communication rather than force. People participate simply by greeting ten or more people during the day, demonstrating the power of personal communication in preserving peace.

How do people celebrate World Hello Day?

People greet ten or more people during the day. The custom began in 1973, when brothers Brian and Michael McCormack founded the day in response to the Yom Kippur War, mailing roughly 1,360 letters in seven languages to world leaders.

World Hello Day — Obscure Holiday Calendar

Overview

World Hello Day is a secular observance held every November 21, built around one simple custom: greeting at least ten people during the day to demonstrate the power of communication over conflict.

Origin and story

World Hello Day was founded in 1973 by brothers Brian McCormack, a Ph.D. graduate of Arizona State University, and Michael McCormack, a Harvard graduate, as a direct response to the Yom Kippur War between Egypt and Israel.

To launch the very first World Hello Day, the McCormack brothers mailed roughly 1,360 letters in seven languages to government leaders around the world, encouraging their participation.

Quick facts

DateNovember 21
TypePeace / Communication
Great forEveryone, Educators, Peace advocates

Also on this date

Ways to celebrate

World Hello Day began as two brothers' answer to a war they couldn't stop directly, so they tried the smallest possible act of peace instead: saying hello.

Born out of the Yom Kippur War

In 1973, brothers Brian McCormack (a Ph.D. graduate of Arizona State University) and Michael McCormack (a Harvard graduate) founded World Hello Day in direct response to the Yom Kippur War between Egypt and Israel. To launch it, they mailed roughly 1,360 letters in seven languages to government leaders around the world, asking them to take part. In its very first year, 15 countries participated; today the observance is marked in around 180 countries.

One custom, repeated by millions

The entire practice is deliberately simple: greet ten or more people during the day. The idea is that this sends a message to world leaders that ordinary communication, not force, is how conflicts should be resolved. Dozens of Nobel Peace Prize laureates have since recognized World Hello Day as a meaningful tool for preserving peace.

Ways to mark the day

Say hello to ten or more people today, in person, by phone, or online.
Greet someone in a language other than your own, echoing the original seven-language letters.
Share the McCormack brothers' story with someone who assumes this is just a generic "be nice" holiday.

Helpful resources: Wikipedia, "World Hello Day".

Did you know?

Dozens of Nobel Peace Prize laureates have publicly recognized World Hello Day as a meaningful instrument for preserving peace.

Fun facts

It was founded in 1973 by brothers Brian McCormack, a Ph.D. graduate of Arizona State University, and Michael McCormack, a Harvard graduate, as a response to the Yom Kippur War between Egypt and Israel.
To launch the very first World Hello Day, the McCormack brothers mailed roughly 1,360 letters in seven languages to government leaders around the world encouraging their participation.
In its first year the observance gained the support of 15 countries, and it has since grown to be observed by people in around 180 countries.
The single custom is simply to greet ten or more people during the day, sending a message to world leaders to use communication rather than force to settle conflicts.
Dozens of Nobel Peace Prize laureates have recognized World Hello Day as a meaningful instrument for preserving peace.

Sources and attribution

Primary source: Wikipedia, "World Hello Day".

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is World Hello Day?: It is observed on November 21 each year.
What is World Hello Day?: World Hello Day is a secular observance held every November 21 that promotes the idea that conflicts should be resolved through communication rather than force. People participate simply by greeting ten or more people during the day, demonstrating the power of personal communication in preserving peace.
How do people celebrate World Hello Day?: People greet ten or more people during the day. The custom began in 1973, when brothers Brian and Michael McCormack founded the day in response to the Yom Kippur War, mailing roughly 1,360 letters in seven languages to world leaders.

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