When is World Anthropology Day?

The next occurence will be on February 20th, 2025. The last occurence was on February 15th, 2024.

World Anthropology Day (February 20th, 2025)

Quick facts
When is it?	February 17th, 2022 February 16th, 2023 February 15th, 2024 February 20th, 2025 February 19th, 2026
What's the official website?	World Anthropology Day
Tagged as:	Countries & Cultures Education
What's the hashtag?	#WorldAnthropologyDay
When was it founded?	2015
Who founded it?	American Anthropological Association
We first published this page on:	Sep 3rd, 2024
We last updated this page:	Oct 31st, 2024

While anthropology might sound like a strangely scientific word, it is actually a field that is rather close to home. In fact, anthropology is the study of human societies, how people interact with one another in cultures, and how these cultures have developed over time into the modern era.

World Anthropology Day acts as an invitation for more people to get involved with the study and understanding of human culture. Because understanding helps to foster better connections and relationships, all of this can help to make the world a better place!

How to Celebrate World Anthropology Day

Host an Educational Event

Teachers and parents can organize educational events around the topic of World Anthropology Day. From sessions and talks to webinars and forums, this is a great time to get high school students more involved.

For younger students, consider activities and games that promote better exposure to language, culture, societal situations and more. Field trips to cultural museums are another excellent way to enjoy this important event.

Access World Anthropology Day Resources

The American Anthropological Association, founder of this event, offers toolkits and other resources to help educators promote World Anthropology Day and make the most out of it. Check out the organization’s website for more information.

Enjoy an Anthropology Discussion Group

Groups of friends from different backgrounds or cultural situations can take advantage of World Anthropology Day as an opportunity to get more connected and go deeper into discussions about humans and society.

Read and discuss a book or an article. Ask thought-provoking questions and practice listening. Or find some other creative ways to build into relationships that support stimulating conversation with others who might have different perspectives.

Take In a Cultural Anthropology Film

Get involved with World Anthropology Day through the unique stories that have been told about humans and society through film. Take a look at one of these suggested films to get started:

City of God (2002). Set in Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, this film depicts the stories of two young men who set out on different paths.
Avatar (2009). Revealing different loyalties and ethnographies, this blockbuster fantasy film provides a fascinating glimpse into culture.
Do the Right Thing (1989). Focusing on the racial tensions during a heat wave in New York City, this Spike Lee film was nominated for a wide range of awards
The Visitor (2007). This fascinating film starring Richard Jenkins tells the story of a professor who goes back to New York to find an illegal immigrant couple living in his home.

History of World Anthropology Day

The first World Anthropology Day was celebrated in 2015 through the efforts of the American Anthropological Association (AAA).

During the first year, the name was originally National Anthropology Day, but it was changed the following year to expand the day’s reach. World Anthropology Day offers an opportunity to show appreciation for and celebrate the field of anthropology, increasing public awareness of the significance of this field.

It also encourages individuals, groups, students and teachers to get more involved with learning about other cultures and society as a whole.