Z Day

Z-Day is not a zombie holiday, as you might initially think. This day is dedicated to the last letter in the English alphabet. It is celebrated on January 1 and is all about having fun.

History

If your name starts with Z, you are often the last to be called or remembered. When lists are read aloud, you end up at the bottom. But today, things are different—the alphabet is turned upside down! This tradition isn’t limited to names; people use Z-Day as a reason to change the order of things and shake up the usual routine.

Researchers believe the ancestor of the letter Z is the Semitic “Zayin,” possibly derived from an Egyptian hieroglyph interpreted as a weapon. The Phoenicians adopted it, and in ancient Greece it became “Zeta,” which was later borrowed by the Romans. Over time, the sound of the letter changed, and it was removed from the Latin alphabet in the 5th century BC. It was forgotten for a while but reintroduced in the 1st century AD as new words appeared that required the “z” sound.

Interesting Facts

Did you know:

• Until the late nineteenth century, the English alphabet ended with “&”;
• The sequence “zzzzzz” is used in memes to show someone sleeping or feeling extremely tired;
• In physics, Z is the symbol for resistance, and in chemistry, it represents the atomic number of an element.

How to Take Part

On Z-Day, do things differently—turn your day upside down! If you have colleagues whose names start with Z, give them special attention and read their names first. Learn more about the letter’s origins and see in which fields it is used. Buy items featuring the letter Z, look for brands that start with “Z,” and try their products. Throw a party, invite friends, and enjoy the festivities!

When is Z Day in 2026?

Z Day is observed on January 1 each year.

Observations