National Roots Day for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Friday, December 23rd. There are until the next observance.

On December 23, National Roots Day, people may dive into and reflect on their family’s heritage, history, and lineage. The Christmas season is an excellent time to learn about your ancestors and gather family history. There is always one family member who has volunteered to be the family historian and who excitedly recounts recollections and anecdotes at the dinner table. While it is a time-consuming procedure (if you want to go deep), it is worthwhile to trace your ancestors. You might be linked to Elvis Presley or someone who was involved in a significant historical event.

📆 When is National Roots Day?

This year, National Roots Day is on December 23rd. It is the 4th Friday in December; in 2023, it is on Saturday.

Countdown to National Roots Day

Did you know: Surnames are based on occupation, places or geographical areas, appearances or nicknames, or they are patronymic – derived from a father’s or male ancestor’s name.

You can also learn all fun things you didn’t know about and facts about December 23, 2022.

📜 History of National Roots Day

The United States of America has always welcomed people from all around the world. These pioneers, like every other blue-blooded American, changed their names and accepted the local food and traditions.Because of its variety, the country has been dubbed a melting pot of cultural integration. However, when diversity becomes more prevalent, we will naturally be interested in our past.

When we learn about our ancestors, we typically have a deeper understanding of our parents and grandparents, as well as ourselves. National Roots Day honors this desire to delve deeper into our ancestors.

On this day, memories are exchanged and gathered in order to have a better knowledge of our forefathers and their lives. It is preferable to have these memories gathered and connected before they fade and the specifics become hazy. Every generation is invited to participate in learning about the difficulties and successes of our ancestors. The efforts, successes, and failures of each generation have helped shape us as individuals, and their stories should be kept alive.

☑️ National Roots Day facts

An outbred family tree
The majority of people will have 256 ancestors if they trace their ancestry back eight generations.

It’s in the name
Immigrants who entered the United States through Ellis Island had their names not altered. If your ancestor modified the spelling of your surname, it was either abbreviated or translated into English.

Symbols on headstones
You’ve probably seen symbols on headstones at cemeteries. The majority of them have significance and are tied to the dead person’s family.

Things to do on National Roots Day

Make a family tree
Sirius Black’s family tree at 12 Grimmauld Place served as inspiration for this piece. Okay, not quite, but you get the idea. Create an interconnected family tree by gathering as much information as possible from your grandparents, parents, uncles, and aunts. You may even have one produced professionally to exhibit.

Share stories with the young ones
Get the kids of the family together and fill them in on stories, not just of how Grandpa met Grandma, but also any key historical events your family was engaged in, just like Ted Mosby made his kids sit and listen to how he met their mother.

Research through a service
If your family findings are insufficient, or you want to get down to the nitty-gritty, utilize an ancestry site like ancestry.com, which has all you need to know about your lineage.

📅 National Roots Day Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 December 23 Saturday
2024 December 23 Monday
2025 December 23 Tuesday
2026 December 23 Wednesday
2027 December 23 Thursday

See all December holidays, including Relationship and other American holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and cool facts about National Roots Day. So be sure to check back soon.