September 20 is all about bringing people together: a goofy language everyone can speak, and a day for getting to know the people next door.
National Gibberish Day
National Gibberish Day is observed every September 20 and invites everyone to speak nonsense on purpose. Nobody knows who started the holiday, but the word itself dates to the early 1500s and is thought to imitate the sound of unintelligible speech. One popular theory links it to the 8th-century alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan, whose technical writing sounded like nonsense to outsiders, though many linguists consider that explanation uncertain. Beyond the laughs, gibberish is a creative tool: when words do not have to make sense, people relax, stop worrying about speaking correctly, and let imagination lead, which is why it works so well in classrooms and group activities.
😄 Fun fact: Gibberish has a formal cousin called gobbledygook, which describes technical writing so convoluted that nobody can understand it, a problem anyone who has read the fine print will recognize.
Ways to celebrate:
- Hold a conversation in gibberish with a friend or family member and see how much you understand from tone and gestures alone
- Invent your own made-up language, complete with a few silly words and a secret greeting
- Play a group game where one person tells a story in gibberish while everyone else guesses what happened
National Neighborhood Day
National Neighborhood Day is observed on the third Sunday of September, which falls on September 20 in 2026. The tradition began in Providence, Rhode Island, has been marked every year since 2004, and was recognized in a 2008 U.S. Senate resolution. The idea is refreshingly simple: gather for food, fellowship, and fun, welcome new neighbors, and get to know the people who live near you, because communities are stronger when neighbors know one another.
😄 Fun fact: The word neighbor comes from Old English words meaning near and dweller, so a neighbor is literally a near-dweller.
Ways to celebrate:
- Host a simple gathering, like a block barbecue, a potluck, or coffee on the front steps
- Welcome a new neighbor with a friendly note, a homemade treat, or an introduction
- Learn the first names of the neighbors on your street, and offer a hand to someone nearby
💬 Tell us in the comments: what is the best thing about your neighborhood, and can you say it in gibberish?
Whether you are talking nonsense with a friend or introducing yourself to the family next door, September 20 shows how easily people come together, and it helps to have someone in your corner when your international paperwork needs to make perfect sense.
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FAQ
What is National Gibberish Day?
It is a lighthearted holiday observed every September 20 that celebrates nonsensical speech and invites people to play with language, creativity, and imagination.
Where does the word gibberish come from?
The word first appeared in the early 1500s and may imitate the sound of unintelligible speech. Some point to the alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan as the source, but that theory is debated.
What is National Neighborhood Day?
It is an observance held on the third Sunday of September, September 20 in 2026, that encourages neighbors to gather, welcome newcomers, and build stronger communities.
How can I celebrate National Neighborhood Day?
Host a block barbecue or potluck, welcome a new neighbor with a note or a treat, learn the names of the people on your street, or offer help to someone nearby.
What are other ways to celebrate today?
September 20 also includes National Care for Kids Day, National Pepperoni Pizza Day, National Fried Rice Day, and National String Cheese Day, see the Other Celebrations section below.
What if today is my birthday?
If you are celebrating a birthday on September 20, check out our Birthday Gift Finder for your zodiac sign, birthstone, birth flower, and gift ideas specific to your day.
Some of the links in this post lead to books, tools, or products that can help you learn more about today's celebrations or put together your own version of them at home.
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September 20 Other Celebrations
National Care for Kids Day was founded in 2021 by the Designetics Cares Foundation and asks people to support the children in their communities by reading, tutoring, mentoring, volunteering, or donating to children's charities. Small acts of care add up, and the best gift is often simply your time.
National Pepperoni Pizza Day honors what is widely considered America's favorite pizza topping. Pepperoni is an Italian-American creation developed by Italian immigrants in the early 1900s, and in Italy the word peperoni means bell peppers, so ordering one there can lead to a very different pizza.
National Fried Rice Day celebrates a dish traced back to China's Sui dynasty and the city of Yangzhou, where cooks stir-fried leftover rice so nothing went to waste. The holiday was created in 2018 by the restaurant chain Benihana, and day-old rice is still the secret to a good bowl.
National String Cheese Day was founded in 2017 by Galbani Cheese and honors the peelable mozzarella snack that fills lunchboxes and fridges across the country. American string cheese is generally traced to Baker Cheese, a Wisconsin family company, in the mid-1970s, and it is not really string cheese until you peel it.
🎂 If Your Birthday Is Today
Born on September 20? In numerology, 20 reduces to 2, the number tied to cooperation, diplomacy, and harmony. Paired with Virgo's practical, detail-oriented streak, you get someone who quietly brings people together and keeps everything running smoothly.
Your birthstone is sapphire, long associated with wisdom, loyalty, and clear communication. Your birth flowers are the aster, a star shaped bloom symbolizing wisdom and purity, and the morning glory, which stands for affection and a fresh start each morning it opens.
Looking for a gift that fits all three symbols at once? Sapphire blue jewelry or decor nods to the birthstone, the zodiac sign, and the deep blue purple tones asters and morning glories share in the garden. If you're drawn to crystal healing traditions, Virgo is also associated with a different set of stones, citrine, lapis lazuli, tiger's eye, garnet, green aventurine, and carnelian, each believed to support different aspects of the sign's energy. You can also get the 6 stones Virgo Crystals Gift Set.
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