World Vegan Day

If you love meat dishes, World Vegan Day might not seem for you, but look a little closer—you might be surprised by how many people around the world embrace this lifestyle. What began as a dietary trend has grown into a worldwide philosophy. Vegans believe it’s both pleasant and easy to live without animal products or cruelty, showing that a plant-based life can be rewarding and compassionate.

History

Veganism as a distinct movement began in the 20th century, thanks to Donald Watson and Elise Shrigley, members of the Vegetarian Society in Great Britain. Wanting to exclude all animal products, they founded The Vegan Society after their society resisted this innovation. In 1994, chairperson Louise Wallis proposed celebrating World Vegan Day on November 1. The date was initially confusing, as it coincided with both the Day of the Dead and Calan Gaeaf, and the exact founding date of The Vegan Society in 1944 was unclear. Nevertheless, November 1 became the permanent date for the annual celebration.

Interesting Facts

• World Vegan Day has become more popular thanks to famous vegans and vegetarians like Zac Efron, Pamela Anderson, Ariana Grande, Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz, and Tom Cruise.
• Restaurants and cafés around the world celebrate with special menus and unique plant-based recipes.
• The first vegetarian cookbook was published in 1874 by Russell Thatcher Trall.
• It takes about 2,500 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef, making veganism a water-saving choice.
• Since 2012, Los Angeles has observed “Meatless Monday” every week.

How to Take Part

Living vegan for a day is easier than ever. Stores offer a huge variety of tasty, healthy plant-based products, and many fast-food chains, like Burger King and KFC, now serve vegetarian options. Tell your friends about the holiday and encourage them to try something new. Host a vegan party and share your favorite plant-based dishes on social media.

When is World Vegan Day in 2025?

World Vegan Day is observed on November 1 each year.

Observations