International Men’s Day takes place on November 19 each year; the next one is on Thursday, November 19, 2026. It focuses on the positive contributions men and boys make to families and communities, and on issues that often get less attention, such as men’s health, mental wellbeing and the need for good role models.
Where the day comes from
An early version was launched in February 1992 by Thomas Oaster, then director of the Missouri Center for Men’s Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, but it did not take hold. The day as most people know it was revived in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago by historian Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh.
Teelucksingh chose November 19 for two reasons: it was his father’s birthday, and it was the date in 1989 when Trinidad and Tobago’s national football team united the country during its campaign to qualify for the World Cup. From the Caribbean, the observance spread to dozens of countries through volunteers, charities and workplace networks.
The six pillars
Organizers describe the day’s goals through six pillars:
- Promote positive male role models, not only celebrities but everyday men living decent lives.
- Celebrate men’s contributions to society, community, family, marriage and childcare.
- Focus on men’s health and wellbeing: social, emotional, physical and spiritual.
- Highlight discrimination against men in areas such as social services and law.
- Improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
- Create a safer, better world where people can grow to reach their full potential.
Is it an official holiday?
No. Unlike International Women’s Day on March 8, International Men’s Day is not officially recognized by the United Nations, and it is not a public holiday in the US or UK. The date is fixed, so it simply falls on a different weekday each year. In the UK, the Men and Boys Coalition runs a national platform and many employers and universities hold events.
Because it is not a holiday, most observances take place at work, on campus or online, and many organizations plan them a few weeks in advance.
Practical ways to take part
- Check in with a friend, brother or father you have not spoken to in a while; a phone call can matter more than a post.
- Book an overdue health check-up or encourage someone close to you to do the same.
- At work, host a session on mental health or fatherhood and parental leave.
- In schools, invite men from different careers to talk about their jobs and the people who mentored them.
- Support a local charity that works with boys, fathers or men’s mental health.
November is also when the Movember campaign raises awareness of men’s health, so many groups combine the two. If you are planning an event, share the countdown link or show it on a screen in full-screen mode so colleagues know how long they have left to sign up.