National Be an Angel Day

National Be an Angel Day is a celebration of kindness and good deeds. Many religions believe in the presence of personal guardian spirits—called daimons in ancient Greece, genii and junos in ancient Rome, and angels in Christianity. These spirits are believed to help people do good, protect and guide them, and intercede for them throughout life and into eternity. The idea behind National Be an Angel Day is that people, too, can fulfill “angelic” roles by being kind, merciful, understanding, and compassionate.

History

National Be an Angel Day was established in 1993 by clergywoman Jane Howard Feldman. Social media has helped make this unique holiday more popular, and it is now celebrated by individuals and organizations alike. Jane is the author of several books, including Communicating with Angels (1992), Driving Under the Influence of Angels (2002), and Angels by My Side (2004). The purpose of creating this national day is to inspire people to do good deeds for others.

Interesting Facts

In early Christian art from the 3rd and 4th centuries, angels did not look much different from ordinary people. Frescoes and marble sarcophagi from that time show bald, bearded, or youthful angels—none with wings, all dressed in regular clothing. The modern depiction of winged angels, seen in art from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, was likely influenced by images of the winged goddess Nike and the god of love Eros (also known as Cupid) from ancient mythology.

How to Take Part

• Thank everyone who has done something kind for you.
• Help a stranger in need, such as an elderly person, a woman, or a child.
• Do spontaneous acts of kindness—give up your seat on public transport, bake for your neighbors, give flowers to a stranger, or compliment someone’s pet.
• Donate money or time to a charitable organization.
• Share information about the holiday on social media using the hashtag #BeAnAngelDay.

When is National Be an Angel Day in 2025?

National Be an Angel Day is observed on August 22 each year.

Observations