September 12 Celebrations: National Video Games Day & National Hug & High 5 Day
September 12 pairs a screen-lit challenge with an old-fashioned, hands-on kind of connection, one day, two very different ways to feel good.
National Video Games Day celebrates the ways video games have grown from a niche hobby into one of the most shared forms of entertainment on the planet, spanning generations, consoles, and genres, from quick mobile puzzles to sprawling open-world adventures.
😄 Fun fact: Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling video game of all time.
Ways to celebrate:
- Revisit a childhood favorite game you haven't played in years
- Try a genre you've never touched before, puzzle, strategy, or otherwise
- Host a small game night with friends or family, retro or modern, either works
National Hug & High 5 Day celebrates two of the simplest, most free ways to make someone feel appreciated, a hug and a high five. Small gestures, real impact.
😄 Fun fact: A simple hug triggers a release of oxytocin, the same hormone linked to trust and bonding, which is part of why a good hug genuinely makes people feel better.
Ways to celebrate:
- Give a genuine hug to someone who could use one today
- Hand out high fives freely, at work, at home, wherever feels right
- Pass the gesture forward, encourage someone else to do the same for another person
💬 Game night or a good hug, which kind of connection are you after today?
From a favorite game to a warm hug, September 12 is a reminder that connection comes in more than one form.
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September 12 FAQ
Why is September 12 National Video Games Day?
The day recognizes video games as a widely shared form of entertainment and challenge, spanning consoles, genres, and generations of players.
What's the best-selling video game of all time?
Minecraft holds that title, having sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Where did National Hug & High 5 Day come from?
It's an informal observance built around two of the simplest, most universal gestures of appreciation, a hug and a high five, both free and instantly understood.
Is there real science behind why hugs feel good?
Yes, a hug triggers a release of oxytocin, the same hormone associated with trust and bonding, which helps explain the genuine mood lift a good hug can bring.
What if today is my birthday?
If you're celebrating a birthday on September 12, check out our Birthday Gift Finder for your zodiac sign, birthstone, birth flower, and gift ideas specific to your day.
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September 12 Other Celebrations
National Day of Encouragement is dedicated to lifting people up with words that cost nothing but can mean everything, a note of appreciation, a timely word of support, or simple recognition of a job well done.
National Chocolate Milkshake Day gives ice cream lovers a reason to blend up a thick, cold, classic treat, simple, nostalgic, and universally loved.
National Just One Human Family Day encourages a moment of reflection on humanity as a single, connected family sharing one planet.
🎂 If Your Birthday Is Today
Born on September 12? The numerology of the number 12 reduces to 3, a number tied to creativity, communication, and a natural sociability. Paired with Virgo's practical, detail-oriented streak, you get someone who's thoughtful and warm at the same time, a rare and genuinely likable combination.
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.
