National Selfie Day is a fun and lighthearted occasion celebrated on June 21st each year that encourages people worldwide to snap and share selfies. It’s a day dedicated to self-expression, creativity, and the joy of capturing memorable moments with a click.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: June 21st annually
- Tagged as: Fun, Photography, Self-expression
- What’s the hashtag?: #NationalSelfieDay
- When was it founded?: 2014
- Who founded it?: DJ Rick McNeely, a radio DJ from Arlington, Texas
History of National Selfie Day
National Selfie Day was created by DJ Rick McNeely in 2014. His primary intention was to encourage people to enjoy taking selfies in creative ways and share them on social media. While many believe selfies are a modern phenomenon that came with smartphones, self-portraits have been around since the invention of photography.
The first known self-portrait photograph was taken by Robert Cornelius in 1839, which many consider to be the world’s first selfie. He recorded on the back of the portrait, “The first light picture ever taken. 1839.” The term “selfie” itself is believed to have been coined by an Australian man in 2002, and it officially made it to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013, when it was also named Word of the Year.
Timeline
- 1839: Robert Cornelius takes the world’s first photographic selfie
- 1914: 13-year-old Russian Nikolaevna takes a self-portrait using a Kodak Brownie Box camera
- 2002: The term “selfie” is reportedly coined in Australia
- 2013: “Selfie” is named Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year
- 2014: DJ Rick McNeely establishes National Selfie Day
- 2017: National Selfie Day is recognized as a national holiday
Dates by Next Year (2025 to 2030)
| Year | Month and Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 21 | Saturday |
| 2026 | June 21 | Sunday |
| 2027 | June 21 | Monday |
| 2028 | June 21 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | June 21 | Thursday |
| 2030 | June 21 | Friday |
Observed Worldwide
National Selfie Day is celebrated globally wherever people have access to smartphones and social media. From New York to New Delhi, people participate by taking creative selfies in various locations and sharing them online. The day has grown in popularity and is now used to support numerous local charities – the more people participate, the more charities get supported!
Fun Facts About Selfies
The word “selfie” was officially accepted as a word in Scrabble in 2014, just a year after being named Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year. Even famous painters loved to create self-portraits, which many consider to be the original selfies. Before front-facing cameras, people would use the delay feature on film cameras, setting them up and running into position before the timer went off.
Quiz
- When is National Selfie Day celebrated?
- Who took the first known photographic selfie?
- In what year was National Selfie Day founded?
- What was the original purpose of National Selfie Day?
(Answers: 1. June 21st, 2. Robert Cornelius, 3. 2014, 4. To encourage creative selfie-taking and sharing)
FAQs
Why is National Selfie Day on June 21st?
June 21st was chosen because it’s the longest day of the year (summer solstice), giving people the most natural daylight to capture the perfect selfie.
How can I celebrate National Selfie Day?
Take creative selfies in unique locations, use fun filters, get together with friends for group selfies, and share your photos on social media with the hashtag #NationalSelfieDay.
Are selfies really important enough to have a national day?
Selfies have become a significant form of self-expression and communication in modern culture. They help people document their lives, boost confidence, and connect with others around the world.
Importance of National Selfie Day
Beyond just being a fun occasion, National Selfie Day celebrates self-expression and self-love in a world that often tells us we need to look a certain way. It’s a day that encourages people to embrace themselves as they are and share that with the world. The day also highlights how technology has changed the way we communicate and express ourselves, making self-portraiture accessible to everyone with a smartphone.
Related Celebrations
- World Photography Day
- Social Media Day
- National Camera Day
- International Day of Self-Love
- Digital Media Day