National Pen Pal Day celebrates the cherished tradition of maintaining friendships through letter writing. It’s a day dedicated to connecting with people worldwide through handwritten correspondence, fostering cultural understanding and meaningful relationships.
Quick Facts
When is it?: June 1st annually
Tagged as: Cultural holiday, Communication day
What’s the hashtag?: #NationalPenPalDay
When was it founded?: 1975
Who founded it?: Rosie Tholl, an American pen-palist
History of National Pen Pal Day
The concept of pen pals emerged in the 1930s, with the term “pen-pal” officially entering the Oxford English Dictionary in 1931. The Student Letter Exchange, established in 1936, formalized the practice by helping match individuals internationally. The holiday was created to encourage people of all ages to write letters and build relationships through thoughtful, culturally enriching communication.
Timeline
- 1930s: Pen pal tradition begins
- 1931: Term “pen-pal” added to Oxford Dictionary
- 1936: Student Letter Exchange founded
- 1975: National Pen Pal Day established
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 1 | Sunday |
| 2026 | June 1 | Monday |
| 2027 | June 1 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | June 1 | Thursday |
| 2029 | June 1 | Friday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by writing letters to existing pen pals, finding new pen pals, learning calligraphy, creating customized envelopes, and sharing cultural experiences through written correspondence.
Fun Facts About Pen Pals
- Letters serve as valuable historical time capsules
- Many famous people maintained pen pal relationships
- The Parker Pen pavilion once offered automated pen pal matching
- Pen pal services existed in newspapers and magazines before the internet
Quiz
- When was the term “pen-pal” added to the dictionary?
- Who established National Pen Pal Day?
- What year was Student Letter Exchange founded?
(Answers: 1931, Rosie Tholl, 1936)
FAQs
Is pen palling safe?
Yes, when practiced responsibly without sharing sensitive personal information.
Can I have multiple pen pals?
Yes, there’s no limit to how many pen pals you can have.
Importance of Pen Pal Day
- Promotes cross-cultural understanding
- Improves writing and communication skills
- Provides a digital detox opportunity
- Encourages international friendships
- Preserves the art of letter writing
Related Observances
- International Letter Writing Week
- World Post Day
- National Letter Writing Day
- National Handwriting Day
- International Friendship Day