Sally Ride Day

Sally Ride Day is an American holiday dedicated to the famous American female astronaut. It is designed to honor the history of space exploration and to show that women can achieve even the most challenging tasks. It is observed annually on May 26.

History

The history of Sally Ride Day began in 2003. Sally Ride was born on May 26, 1951. She studied at several universities and had a particular passion for physics. She dedicated herself to this field, seeing it as her future. In 1975, she earned her master’s degree in physics from Stanford, and three years later, she achieved a Ph.D. in the same subject. This achievement reflects how disciplined and dedicated Sally Ride was.

Later, Ride decided to pursue a career in astronautics—and she succeeded! She was among 35 people selected for NASA’s astronaut training program. Her space flight took place in 1983 aboard the STS-7 mission. Her example proves that every dream is possible, and women everywhere can be inspired by her journey. If she could do it, so can you. Believe in yourself!

Interesting Facts

• Along with Ride, about 8,000 people applied to NASA. Of those, only 35 were selected for astronaut training, including this determined young woman.
• Sally Ride became the first American woman to go into space, making a significant contribution to the advancement of women in science and space exploration.

How to Celebrate

Learn more about Sally Ride’s life on this day. You can watch documentaries about space exploration and visit space museums.

Share the holiday on social media. Ask users if they have ever dreamed of exploring space.

When is Sally Ride Day in 2025?

Sally Ride Day is observed on May 26 each year.

Observations