International Shareware Day

International Shareware Day is on the second Saturday in December every year. This holiday is a way of showing acknowledgement and appreciation to the unsung heroes of the programming world: the developers and programmers who spend hours at their computers and whose work often goes unrecognized.

History

The origin of International Shareware Day is unknown, but it is likely that it was created by a programmer. When downloading certain applications and software, a shareware period is provided for users to get to know the program in more detail before deciding to pay for it or remove it. The holiday is meant to raise awareness that programmers spend countless hours on their work and should receive fair compensation for it.

Interesting Facts

• Traditionally, programmers are mostly men, with women making up only around 1% of the field.
• Most programmers are under 45 years old.
• They are in demand all over the world.
• They develop software but are not responsible for repairing hardware, contrary to common stereotypes.

How to Take Part

There are several ways to celebrate International Shareware Day. Consider purchasing a licensed program to support developers. Alternatively, you can make a donation to an independent programmer or post a message of thanks to those in the profession.

When is International Shareware Day in 2025?

International Shareware Day is observed on the second Saturday of December each year.

Observations