National First Ladies Day Date in the current year: April 25, 2026

The First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is an informal yet important role traditionally held by the president’s spouse who acts as the White House hostess. Historically, when a president was a bachelor or widower, or when his wife was unable to perform her duties, the role was filled by a female relative.

Since the 1900s, the role of the first lady has broadened to include involvement in political campaigns, advocacy in areas such as education, public health, the arts, and female empowerment, and serving as the president’s confidant. Since the mid-20th century, most first ladies have chosen a specific cause to promote. For instance, Betty Ford promoted women’s rights, Nancy Reagan led the Just Say No drug awareness campaign, and Michelle Obama publicly supported LGBT rights and launched a public health campaign against childhood obesity.

The political involvement of first ladies is informal and varies by individual. During elections, many prospective first ladies participate in their husbands’ campaigns. Some first ladies, such as Rosalynn Carter and Jill Biden, participated in Cabinet meetings. Hillary Clinton played an unusually formal role when she led the administration’s healthcare reform task force in the 1990s.

The first lady has no constitutional authority, salary, or official job description. However, since Rosalynn Carter, the first lady has had her own staff, known as the Office of the First Lady. The exact structure of this office varies by administration, but the core positions remain relatively consistent and fall into one of the following categories: communications, event management, policy support, and administrative coordination.

In 2021, Rev. Nicholas W. Inman of Marshfield, Missouri, established the National First Ladies Day Commission (NFLDC) to recognize and celebrate the contributions of first ladies to the history, culture, and civic life of the United States. In collaboration with the Society of Presidential Descendants, the NFLDC announced the establishment of National First Ladies Day at the annual First Ladies Tea during the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival.

A few days prior, National Day Calendar officially designated the last Saturday in April as National First Ladies Day. This date commemorates the inauguration of George Washington on April 30, 1789, which officially marked the beginning of the first lady’s role.

National First Ladies Day has been observed every year since then. Although it has not yet been formally established as a nationally recognized holiday, the NFLDC is working to change that. Civic groups, community organizations, schools, and museums across the nation organize National First Ladies Day events and activities. You can join the celebration by posting on social media about a first lady who inspires you using the hashtags #FirstLadiesDay and #NationalFirstLadiesDay.