International Hashtag Day
What could be better than an event, a day or an experience that has a good hashtag to go along with it?
International Hashtag Day is here to celebrate and pay heed to this little character that may be partially responsible for things online going viral!
How to Celebrate International Hashtag Day
Get creative on your own, or check out a few of these ideas to get on board with and get excited about this day:
Watch the SNL #Hashtag Skit
If something makes its way into pop culture, it’s most likely to find its way onto Saturday Night Live. And the hashtag is no different!
In celebration of this event, hop onto YouTube, TikTok or some other platform and take a look at the satirical, annoying-on-purpose offering provided by Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon in 2013.
“#Hashtag we go hard!”
Follow Some Hashtags
Looking for something on X, Instagram or another platform? Remember that just popping that hashtag into the search bar can bring up all sorts of interesting photographs, posts and information related to the topic.
In celebration of the day, use some hashtags to find some new posts, jokes, memes, reels, or other content that makes the world more interesting and fun!
Bring Out Those Hashtags
Remembering the time when some people didn’t understand what hashtags were for and they simply used them willy-nilly? Perhaps International Hashtag Day is the time to bring back hashtags in a prolific manner. Go ham on those #hashtags!
History of International Hashtag Day
The history of this day wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the background of the day’s subject: the hashtag.
Before the early 2000s, this little symbol was often used to indicate numbers. Sometimes called a pound sign (not to be confused with British currency symbol £), this little mark was standard on telephones, often used for retrieving voicemail or other activities.
But folks who were out in the twitter-sphere back in the mid-2000s might remember the first time a hashtag as it is known today made an appearance – on August 23, 2007.
The concept was created by the self-proclaimed “hash godfather”, Chris Messina, a product designer who wanted to make it easier for people on Twitter (X) to be able to search out topics.
He was inspired by the tag feature on Flickr and made a post suggesting that the symbol would help organize social media in a more orderly fashion.
Three days later, the term “hashtag” was first used in a blog post and it didn’t take long for the concept to catch on. Its first viral moment in 2012 when #CeaseFire was used. Hashtag use evolved and spread throughout various platforms such as Instagram, Pinterist, Reddit, Tiktok and more.
Today, more than 100 million hashtags are used every single day. So whether for good or bad, since the hashtag began, the world of social media has never quite been the same!
The first International Hashtag Day was celebrated in 2018 as a nod to Chris Messina’s original idea.
International Hashtag Day FAQs
Did hashtags exist before social media?
Yes! The ‘#’ symbol, originally called an octothorpe, dates back to the 14th century.
It was first used by scribes as an abbreviation for the Latin term “libra pondo,” meaning pound weight. It wasn’t associated with organizing ideas until Chris Messina adapted it for Twitter in 2007.
How did the first hashtag gain traction?
Chris Messina’s original hashtag, #barcamp, didn’t trend immediately. Its popularity grew when users organically adopted it to follow updates on specific topics.
The real turning point came in 2009 when Twitter integrated hashtags into their system, linking them to search results.
What are some cultural differences in hashtag usage?
In South Korea, hashtags are often lengthy phrases to express full thoughts or emotions.
Meanwhile, German users prefer concise tags due to the language’s long compound words. These differences highlight how language and culture influence the way hashtags are created.
What’s a surprising industry that uses hashtags creatively?
The farming industry! Farmers use hashtags like #AgChat and #Farm365 to share tips, showcase their work, and connect globally.
It’s an unexpected way traditional professions have embraced technology for community building.
How have hashtags impacted activism?
Movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter show how hashtags amplify voices worldwide.
They unite people under one virtual banner, driving real-world social and political change. These movements prove hashtags are more than just tools for online trends.
Are hashtags still relevant in 2025?
Absolutely. While their usage has evolved, hashtags remain vital for organizing content.
Platforms like Instagram use them for discovery, while TikTok trends are almost entirely fueled by hashtag-driven challenges.
What’s the weirdest hashtag ever used?
One of the quirkiest hashtags is #PutYourFingerInTheAir. It was part of a TikTok trend where users created illusions by “poking” objects in videos.
The absurdity caught on, showing that hashtags thrive on creativity.
How do brands use hashtags to engage audiences?
Brands create hashtags like #ShareACoke or #LikeAGirl to promote campaigns.
They encourage users to post their own content, effectively turning customers into ambassadors. This strategy increases visibility and builds loyalty.
What role do hashtags play in local events?
Small towns and cities create unique hashtags for festivals or emergencies.
For example, during floods in Texas, #HoustonStrong rallied residents for support. These localized tags are practical tools for communication.
How do people celebrate International Hashtag Day?
Some users design funny or outlandish hashtags and share them widely.
Others track global trending topics and participate in discussions. Digital marketers often take this day to analyze trends and refine their strategies.
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