International Men’s Day2026 · Date · History
The International Men’s Day organization states that the observance is marked each year on November 19 and confirms the 2026 edition and theme.
About International Men’s Day
International Men’s Day is observed on November 19 as an organizer-led international day focused on men’s and boys’ experiences, positive contributions, health and wellbeing, gender relations and positive role models.
The current November observance was founded in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh and is now celebrated independently in many countries.
Why International Men’s Day matters
The current organizer frames the day around six broad objectives, including positive male role models, men’s contributions, health and wellbeing, gender relations, equality and safer communities.
International participation does not make the observance a United Nations day. Current 2026 organizer material lists formal UN-calendar recognition as a goal, so this guide does not describe IMD as UN-created or UN-designated.
History of International Men’s Day
Earlier attempts at an International Men’s Day included February observances associated with Thomas Oaster in the early 1990s.
Dr Jerome Teelucksingh inaugurated the November 19 observance in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999, which the current organization treats as the foundation of today’s international celebration.
The current International Men’s Day website is sponsored by the Australian Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation, which describes itself as the coordinating charity for the observance.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Thomas Oaster-led February International Men’s Day observances
Earlier February International Men’s Day activity associated with Thomas Oaster preceded the current November 19 observance inaugurated by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999.
Dr Jerome Teelucksingh
The current International Men’s Day history identifies Dr Jerome Teelucksingh as founder of the November 19 observance in 1999.
First documented observance
Current organizer material says the November 19 observance was first celebrated in 1999 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago.
Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation
The current International Men’s Day site says Dads4Kids is its global digital driving force and coordinating charity and sponsors the website.
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.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
How to Observe International Men’s Day
Recognize constructive contributions by men and boys in families, workplaces and communities.
Host an inclusive discussion on positive role models, wellbeing, respectful relationships or community service.
Use reliable public-health sources for health topics and avoid turning observance material into personal medical advice.
Present different social experiences respectfully without using the day to diminish International Women’s Day or other equality observances.
International Men’s Day Facts
International Men’s Day is observed on November 19.
The current November observance was founded by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999.
Earlier February International Men’s Day efforts existed before the 1999 Trinidad and Tobago launch.
Dads4Kids currently sponsors the main International Men’s Day website and describes itself as a coordinating charity.
Current 2026 organizer material seeks formal UN-calendar recognition, so the observance should not be described as already created by the United Nations.
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.
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 Men’s Day (opens in a new tab)
International Men’s Day (opens in a new tab)
International Men’s Day (opens in a new tab)
International Men’s Day — 2026 media release (opens in a new tab)
Official Organizer
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday (opens in a new tab)
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 Men’s Day?
19 November each year; 2026 edition confirmed The documented recurrence rule is: 19 November.
Does International Men’s Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Men’s Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Organizer-led international observance focused on men and boys. 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 Men’s Day?
The documented basis is: The International Men’s Day organization states that the observance is marked each year on November 19 and confirms the 2026 edition and theme.. Supporting evidence includes International Men’s Day — 2026 media release. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is International Men’s Day international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: Organizer-led international observance focused on men and boys. 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 2026-09-07.
When is International Men’s Day?
It is observed on November 19 each year.
Who founded the current November observance?
The current organizer identifies Dr Jerome Teelucksingh of Trinidad and Tobago as the founder of the November 19 observance in 1999.
Why November 19?
A Trinidad and Tobago Newsday account reports that Teelucksingh chose November 19 to honor his father’s birthday and the country’s World Cup football efforts.
Is International Men’s Day a United Nations international day?
The current organizer’s 2026 material lists formal UN-calendar recognition as a goal, so this guide does not treat it as a UN-created or UN-designated observance.
Other observances on November 19
These observances are also listed on November 19, 2026.
Día de la Puertorriqueñidad
Puerto Rico Law No. 91 of 1938, as amended, declares November 19 a holiday known as Día de la Puertorriqueñidad; current government calendar material also retains older discovery terminolog…
Garifuna Settlement Day
Belize Living Heritage/NICH documents Thomas Vincent Ramos’s 1941 founding role, 1943 regional recognition, 1977 nationwide extension/renaming and November 19 historical rationale.
Great American Smokeout®
The American Cancer Society hosts the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday in November. ACS history identifies 18 November 1976 as the first official Smokeout in California and say…
National Day
The Journal de Monaco explains that Prince Rainier III fixed 19 November as the Sovereign’s Feast from 1952 by Sovereign Ordinance no. 465 of 27 October 1951, choosing his enthronement day…
National Integration Day
Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs / Press Information Bureau
National Rural Health Day
NOSORH states that National Rural Health Day has been observed on the third Thursday of November since 2011.