National Typewriting Day

National Typewriting Day is a holiday dedicated to a device that has largely become a thing of the past, the typewriter. For many people who now work on computer keyboards and mobile devices, it can be hard to imagine that, from the late 19th century through much of the 20th century, offices relied on typewriters to function. For countless workers, especially women entering the workforce, learning fast, accurate typing opened the door to paid jobs and greater independence.

History of National Typewriting Day

It is not clear who created this holiday, but it is clear who celebrates it: typewriter collectors and enthusiasts. Vintage machines still appear at auctions, and some models become valuable because of their history. For example, an Olivetti Lettera 32 owned by writer Cormac McCarthy reportedly sold for $254,000.
Typewriters also have a long-standing appeal in popular culture. Several well-known actors have mentioned owning or collecting typewriters, and the device continues to be associated with classic writing, journalism, and office life.

Interesting Facts About National Typewriting Day

For many writers, the typewriter was a primary tool for drafting and revising work. A few well-known examples are often cited:

1. Ernest Hemingway preferred to draft in pencil, then edit and retype his work on a typewriter.
2. Agatha Christie, sometimes called the “Queen of Detective Fiction,” worked on a Remington typewriter.
3. Cormac McCarthy typed more than a dozen novels on the typewriter that was later sold at auction. According to widely repeated accounts, a friend later gave him a replacement that cost $11.
4. Stephen King wrote his first novel, Carrie, and ‘Salem’s Lot on an Olivetti typewriter owned by his wife, Tabitha. He also wrote early work in The Dark Tower series on an Underwood. In his story The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet, he describes a tiny creature called Fornit, said to inspire writers with a magical powder called Fornus.

Even today, some people use typewriters for the sound, the pace, and the focused feel of writing without notifications.

How to Take Part in National Typewriting Day

If you can find an old typewriter, type a short note, a poem, or a page of a story just for fun. Ask older relatives whether they ever used a typewriter at school or at work, and what it was like to type without a backspace key. If you own a machine, take a photo of it and share a short caption about the model and how it came into your hands.

When Is National Typewriting Day in 2026?

National Typewriting Day is observed on June 23 each year.

Observations