So you’re staring at your calendar and wondering: April 28 is national what day exactly? Most people think it’s just another spring Tuesday, but it’s actually a bizarre, heartfelt, and carb-loaded collision of holidays.
Honestly, it’s one of the weirdest days on the calendar. On one hand, you have people running around in capes because it’s National Superhero Day. On the other, it's a deeply somber moment for the labor movement known as Workers’ Memorial Day. Throw in some blueberry pie and a bit of romance, and you've got a 24-hour window that’s basically a fever dream.
The Capes and the Comics: National Superhero Day
Let’s start with the fun stuff. If you see grown adults wearing Spider-Man t-shirts at the grocery store, they aren't lost. They’re celebrating a tradition that started back in 1995.
Marvel Comics employees actually founded this day. They wanted to honor anyone who serves and protects, whether they’re fictional icons like Iron Man or real-life legends like the nurse who just finished a 12-hour shift.
It’s about the "hero" archetype. You’ve probably got a teacher or a neighbor who fits the bill. While the day is a huge win for comic book shops—who often see a spike in back-issue sales—it’s shifted over the years to be more about community service. Basically, it’s an excuse to be a decent human being while maybe wearing a Batman mask.
The Gravity of Workers’ Memorial Day
Switching gears, because April 28 isn't all about spandex. For millions of people in the labor force, this date is incredibly heavy.
Workers’ Memorial Day (or the World Day for Safety and Health at Work) marks the anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) becoming law in 1970. It’s a day of mourning. Since 1989, unions like the AFL-CIO have used this date to remember workers who died or were injured on the job.
Statistics usually bore people, but these are staggering:
- More than 5,000 workers die on the job annually in the U.S. alone.
- Globally, that number is in the millions when you count work-related illnesses.
It’s not just a "holiday." It’s a protest. You’ll see candlelight vigils and "Mourn for the Dead, Fight for the Living" banners. It’s the side of April 28 is national what day that reminds us that safety isn’t a given—it was fought for.
Blueberry Pie and the State of Maine
If you’re feeling the emotional whiplash, don’t worry. There’s pie. Specifically, National Blueberry Pie Day.
Blueberries are actually North America's only "true blue" fruit. Fun fact: the first documented blueberry pie recipe showed up in the Appledore Cook Book in 1872. But long before that, Native Americans were using wild berries (they called them "star berries" because of the five-pointed star on the blossom end) to survive harsh winters.
Maine takes this more seriously than anyone. In 1991, thanks to a persistent 5th-grade student named Megan Frank, the Maine legislature officially named blueberry pie the state’s official dessert. If you’re celebrating, just know that "wild" Maine blueberries are the gold standard because they’re smaller and have way more flavor than the giant, watery ones you see in plastic clamshells.
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The Random Bits: Kisses and Frogs
As if capes, unions, and pie weren't enough, April 28th also covers:
- National Kiss Your Mate Day: Not to be confused with International Kissing Day in July. This one is specifically about romantic partners. It’s sort of a "don't forget to be affectionate" reminder for people in long-term relationships.
- Save The Frogs Day: Amphibians are basically the "canaries in the coal mine" for the environment. Their skin is porous, so they feel pollution first. This day is a global push to stop the extinction of frog species.
- National Great Poetry Reading Day: A little more refined. It’s the tail end of National Poetry Month, encouraging people to actually read a poem aloud instead of just scrolling past them on Instagram.
Why This Specific Date Matters
When you ask April 28 is national what day, you’re really seeing a snapshot of American culture. It’s a mix of corporate marketing (Marvel), serious legislative history (OSHA), and regional pride (Maine’s blueberries).
It’s weirdly poetic. You honor the "superheroes" in the morning, remember the fallen workers in the afternoon, and eat a slice of pie with your partner in the evening. It covers the full spectrum of the human experience in one Tuesday.
How to actually participate
Don't just read about it. Do something.
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- Support a local comic shop: Buy a graphic novel. Even if you aren't a "comic person," there’s some incredible storytelling out there.
- Check your workspace: If you’re an employer or an employee, take ten minutes to actually look at safety protocols. It sounds dry until it isn't.
- Bake the pie: Use a store-bought crust if you have to. Life is short.
- Pay it forward: April 28 is also sometimes linked to Global Pay It Forward Day. Buy a coffee for the person behind you.
Start by picking one of these that actually resonates with you. Maybe you’re feeling the superhero vibe, or maybe you just want a reason to eat dessert before dinner. Either way, you now know exactly what’s happening on April 28.