March 18·Every year

National Awkward Moments Day

The accidental reply-all. The wrong-name handshake. The joke that lands in silence. March 18th acknowledges that these moments are universal, instructive, and — in retrospect — usually great stories. Neuroscientists note that social awkwardness activates the same brain circuits as empathy.

Category: Silly
Observed in: United StatesUnited KingdomCanada

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Notable · 2019

Syrian civil war: The U.S. Air Force carried out an airstrike in al-Baghuz Fawqani, killing as many as 80, a disputed number of whom were civilians.

2025Israel launches widespread aerial bombardments and attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 591 people, including children.
2015The Bardo National Museum in Tunisia is attacked by gunmen. Twenty-four people, almost all tourists, are killed, and at least 50 other people are wounded.
2014The parliaments of Russia and Crimea sign an accession treaty.