International Epilepsy Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)
About International Epilepsy Day
International Epilepsy Day is a worldwide awareness campaign held on the second Monday in February. It is a joint initiative of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), rather than a public holiday enacted by every participating country.
The organizers identify Monday, February 9 as the 2026 edition. The established second-Monday rule places the 2027 occurrence on Monday, February 8; locally organized activities and times should be checked with their hosts.
Why International Epilepsy Day matters
The campaign focuses on understanding epilepsy, reducing stigma, and improving inclusion in education, employment and everyday community life. Campaign materials discuss both the social and clinical dimensions without making personal medical judgments.
People living with epilepsy should be able to choose whether to share their stories. Participation need not involve disclosing diagnoses, names, photos, treatment experiences or other private health information.
History of International Epilepsy Day
The International Bureau for Epilepsy and International League Against Epilepsy jointly established the initiative as an annual global awareness event. The IBE states that the recurring date is the second Monday in February.
For the February 9, 2026 edition, the ILAE and IBE issued a joint awareness statement about listening to personal accounts and advocating better support. This edition does not establish a universal treatment protocol or an official national public holiday.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
International Bureau for Epilepsy and International League Against Epilepsy
Both sponsoring associations identify the day as their joint initiative.
International Bureau for Epilepsy and International League Against Epilepsy
IBE recurring observance page and ILAE 2026 organizer statement.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
6 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Epilepsy Day
Read the campaign’s current first-party resources about epilepsy, inclusion and the harmful effects of stigma.
Support awareness events organized by epilepsy associations or community groups, ensuring photos and personal experiences are shared only with consent.
For medical concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional rather than relying on a commemorative-day guide for diagnosis or treatment.
International Epilepsy Day Facts
The initiative is organized jointly by the IBE and ILAE.
The date is the second Monday of February; it fell on February 9 in 2026 and falls on February 8 in 2027.
Awareness participation is voluntary, and a person’s health information should not be shared without permission.
International Epilepsy Day Messages
Support accessible and inclusive community events.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
International Bureau for Epilepsy — organizer and second-Monday rule (opens in a new tab)
International League Against Epilepsy — 2026 joint campaign (opens in a new tab)
International Epilepsy Day — IBE/ILAE initiative (opens in a new tab)
International Epilepsy Day — IBE/ILAE (opens in a new tab)
Organizer Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Epilepsy Day?
Second Monday in February The documented recurrence rule is: Second Monday in February.
Does International Epilepsy Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is International Epilepsy Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Organizer-backed international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Epilepsy Day?
The documented basis is: International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Supporting evidence includes International Epilepsy Day — IBE/ILAE. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is International Epilepsy Day international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: Organizer-backed international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-09.
When is International Epilepsy Day in 2026?
Monday, February 9, 2026, under the organizers’ second-Monday-of-February rule.
What date is it in 2027?
Monday, February 8, 2027; check local organizers for event details.
Who organizes the day?
The International Bureau for Epilepsy and the International League Against Epilepsy jointly lead it.
Does the day provide medical guidance?
No. It promotes awareness and inclusion; individual medical questions need qualified clinical advice.
Other observances on February 8
These observances are also listed on February 8, 2027.
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WorkSafe Tasmania / Tasmanian legislation
Scouting Anniversary Day
Scouting America defines February 8 as Scouting Anniversary Day, marking its February 8, 1910 incorporation, and its rules call for annual anniversary celebration.