International Optimist Day Date in the current year: February 6, 2025

Optimist International is an international network of nearly 1,600 service clubs spanning more than two dozen countries, including Algeria, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Canada, the Cayman Islands, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Malta, Nepal, the Philippines, Senegal, South Korea, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Uganda, and Zambia. Its self-governing clubs are focused on enhancing the well-being of children and youth through community service work.

The first Optimist Club was founded in Buffalo, New York, in 1911 in response to the challenges that industrialization and urbanization brought to society. The name reflected the members’ desire to maintain a positive outlook in the face of challenges and to help their communities thrive. Representatives of 11 clubs founded the association of Optimist Clubs, now known as Optimist International, on June 19, 1919, at a convention held in Louisville, Kentucky.

In early 2013, Sylvain Levesque, a member of both the National Assembly of Quebec and the Optimist Club of Loretteville, introduced a resolution to officially recognize Optimist Day in Quebec. Later that year, delegates adopted a similar resolution during the Optimist International Convention in Cincinnati, designating the first Thursday of February as Optimist Day across the organization. This date matched the one chosen in Quebec.

Levesque explained that he chose this date because the National Assembly typically resumes work during the first week of February, allowing the resolution to be adopted at that time. Regardless of the reasoning, Optimists worldwide are grateful for his initiative and continue to celebrate Optimist Day annually on the first Thursday in February.

The main goal of International Optimist Day is to embody optimism through action and recognize the work of Optimist clubs and their members in communities worldwide. On the first Thursday in February, Optimist International members highlight their contributions and raise awareness of their impact by wearing clothing featuring the Optimist logo or by organizing local events in their communities. Many clubs also share the Optimist Creed in public spaces, inviting others to embrace an optimistic outlook.

In addition to Optimist clubs celebrating International Optimist Day, many local governments issue proclamations in its honor, encouraging their communities to look to the future with hope. On this day, they recognize the volunteers who dedicate their enthusiasm, skills, and talents to building a vibrant and peaceful tomorrow.

Anyone can honor International Optimist Day by volunteering in their community, partnering with a local Optimist club, engaging in activities that inspire optimism in themselves or others, and raising awareness about the day and Optimist International among friends and family.