Observed annually on September 15th since 2009, International Dot Day is a holiday in which people of all ages are encouraged to harness their own creativity and embrace their confidence as they make their mark on the world. On this day, people are encouraged to embrace their talents—regardless of whether it’s writing, painting, drawing, or some other creative medium—and share their Dot Day inspiration with others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an educator or student, or a parent or child; we all have a creative spark that we can ignite with just a little bit of bravery and encouragement. And each year, the inspiration continues as people uncover the hidden power of their own creativity.

The History of International Dot Day

International Dot Day can be traced back to September 15, 2009. This is when teacher Terry Shay introduced the book entitled “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds to his class and introduced it to his students.

“The Dot” is a book about a teacher who encourages a doubting student to trust in her own talents and to be brave enough to make her mark on the world. The student starts off by making a small dot on a piece of paper, which leads her on a journey of self-discovery and cooperation.

Celebrating International Dot Day

A great way to celebrate International Dot Day is by reading “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds with your own children or with your students if you are a teacher. After all, the holiday started with this book in the first place.

If you’re a teacher and have an interactive whiteboard, then you can also get the Big Screen Books™ version of “The Dot.” That way, your students can interact with the story in a fun and exciting way.

If you want to share your efforts with International Dot Day on social media, then you can use the hashtags #DotDay or #MakeYourMark. Or you can check out one of the many Dot Day videos on the internet today.