National Vinyl Record Day celebrates the cherished format of vinyl records and their enduring impact on music culture. This special observance honors the warm, authentic sound of vinyl and the nostalgic experience of physical music formats.
Quick Facts
When is it?: August 12
Tagged as: Music appreciation holiday
What’s the hashtag?: #NationalVinylRecordDay
When was it founded?: 2001
Who founded it?: Gary Freiberg of Los Osos, California
History
The holiday commemorates Thomas Edison’s invention of the phonograph in 1877. Gary Freiberg established this day to preserve vinyl’s cultural influence and remind people of music’s power to connect us with our fondest memories. The celebration gained significance during the “Vinyl Revival” of the late 2000s when vinyl records made a remarkable comeback in the digital age.
Timeline
• 1857: Phonautograph invented by Édouard-Léon Scott
• 1877: Thomas Edison invents the phonograph
• 1890s: Emile Berliner creates the first vinyl record
• 1960s-1970s: Golden Age of vinyl records
• Late 2000s: Beginning of the “Vinyl Revival”
Dates for Coming Years
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August | 12 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | August | 12 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | August | 12 | Thursday |
| 2028 | August | 12 | Saturday |
| 2029 | August | 12 | Sunday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by hosting vinyl listening parties, visiting local record stores, cleaning their vinyl collections, and sharing their favorite records on social media. Many music enthusiasts use this day to expand their collections or introduce others to the vinyl experience.
Fun Facts About Vinyl
• Vinyl records produce a unique static charge
• Colored vinyl typically produces different sound quality than black vinyl
• Songs closer to the label can sound different due to inner groove distortion
• In 2020, vinyl records outsold CDs in the US
• The most expensive vinyl record sold for $2 million
Quiz
- Who invented the phonograph?
- What year was National Vinyl Record Day founded?
- What’s the standard size for a full LP record?
(Answers: 1. Thomas Edison, 2. 2001, 3. 12 inches)
FAQs
Q: How do I know if my record is valuable?
A: Check for barcodes, catalog numbers, or use the Discogs App to determine value.
Q: What are the most expensive vinyl records?
A: Records by Wu-Tang Clan, The Beatles, and Elvis Presley top the list.
Related Holidays
• Record Store Day
• World Music Day
• International Jazz Day
• Album Cover Art Day
• Audio Engineering Day