National Good Day

Ah, National Good Day, our beacon of positivity amongst the drudgery of other, far less uplifting national days. 'National Turn Off the Lights and Sit in the Dark Day', I'm looking at you. Surprisingly, or maybe not, considering you’re on a site that dedicates its existence to such knowledge, you're certainly not alone in your interest. An impressive 6867 mentions of National Good Day were detected across the internet!

When is Good Day?

It's national good day on the 21st January.

What is National Good Day?

No, it's not about listening to Ice Cube tracks on repeat, though we're not against that! National Good Day is all about spreading cheer and happiness around us. An 'anti-Monday', if you will. This day encourages people to do good deeds and stay positive, embracing the 'glass half-full' mentality.

The Most 'Good Day' Day

Our tracking showed that National Good Day lit up the web most on 21 Jan 2016, showering the webisphere with an outbreak of feel-good posts and high-five emojis, proving that even in the depth of winter, cheerfulness can find a way. Who says the internet is all memes and cat videos? Sometimes, it's high-fives and positivity!

How is it Celebrated?

Whatever you do, make it good! Help someone with their heavy shopping bags, compliment your coworker's horrendous new tie, or simply treat yourself to that extra cookie you've been eyeing. Remember: the purer the intention, the sweeter the good karma punch!

History behind the term 'Good'

Old English period (5th-11th century)

The Origins of 'Good'

The term 'good' originated from the Old English word 'gōd', derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'gōdaz'. In Old English, 'gōd' was used to describe something morally right or virtuous. It also meant pleasing or favorable. The term 'good' developed from the Indo-European root 'ghedh', which means 'to unite' or 'to fit together'. This early understanding of 'good' laid the foundation for its moral and positive connotations in the English language.

Middle English period (11th-15th century)

Expanding Definitions

During the Middle English period, the meaning of 'good' expanded further to encompass additional concepts. It began to denote excellence, skill, and proficiency in various domains. This broadening of the term's definition reflected the changing social and cultural values of the time. 'Good' started to be associated with qualities such as talent, competence, and merit, not just moral righteousness.

Early Modern English period (15th-17th century)

Good vs. Evil Dichotomy

In Early Modern English, 'good' continued to be associated with moral goodness and positive qualities. It gained significance in the context of the well-known binary opposition between good and evil. This dichotomy often permeated literature, philosophy, and religious discourse, further solidifying the connotations of 'good' as desirable and virtuous.

Contemporary Usage

Good as Positive or Satisfactory

In contemporary usage, 'good' retains its core meanings of moral righteousness and positive characteristics. However, it also serves as a versatile adjective to describe something as satisfactory, enjoyable, or beneficial. The term has established itself as a fundamental descriptor in the English language, bridging diverse domains and conveying a wide range of positive qualities and experiences.

Did you know?

Did you know that the idea of National Good Day was actually inspired by Ice Cube's song 'It Was a Good Day'? We bet you didn't know hip-hop could be this positive!