Every day is important–and for many, February 14, better known as Valentine’s Day, is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate romantic love. Some show this love through buying treats for their loved ones, while others plan romantic dinners. But for numerous people, this day is equally about showing love to their community. Since February 14 is most commonly known as Valentine’s Day, other celebrations commemorated on that day, such as National Donor Day and International Book Giving Day, are often overlooked despite their importance on a national and international scale.
Most notably, in addition to celebrating the day of love, on February 14, many commemorate a special awareness day that helps save lives: National Donor Day. This day is meant to educate people about the importance of five specific types of life-saving donations: organs, tissues, marrow, platelets, and blood. To observe this day, many host blood drives or, if not, register themselves as organ donors. Although it is not considered a federal public holiday, the day’s significance should not be underestimated, because as of January 2026, over 100,000 people in the United States are on the list to receive an organ donation. While this might not be an example of the romantic kind of love that is usually celebrated on Valentine’s Day, it shows a different kind of love and sacrifice: a love for one’s community and a willingness to save lives.
International Book Giving Day also falls on February 14, and is a day to serve others. This tradition began in 2012 and was meant to foster curiosity and love for books amongst children. To help contribute to the cause, it is customary to donate books to local libraries. Although it started in the United States, this holiday has gained attention and is now celebrated in over 30 countries worldwide. Thanks to the generosity of others, people now celebrate not only love for another, but also a love for books.
