‘It’s National Noodle Day,” said the Wednesday email from P.F. Chang’s. Thanks to the geniuses on Madison Avenue, every day is an occasion. “Celebrate today with your favorite noodle dish,” I was advised. According to NationalToday.com, which tracks such things, Oct. 6 was also World Cerebral Palsy Day, National Walk and Bike to School Day, National Plus Size Appreciation Day and—I’m not kidding—National Transfer Money to Your Daughter Day.

Widely recognized holidays sometimes have obscure tie-ins. Monday is Columbus Day,...

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‘It’s National Noodle Day,” said the Wednesday email from P.F. Chang’s. Thanks to the geniuses on Madison Avenue, every day is an occasion. “Celebrate today with your favorite noodle dish,” I was advised. According to NationalToday.com, which tracks such things, Oct. 6 was also World Cerebral Palsy Day, National Walk and Bike to School Day, National Plus Size Appreciation Day and—I’m not kidding—National Transfer Money to Your Daughter Day.

Widely recognized holidays sometimes have obscure tie-ins. Monday is Columbus Day, but it’s also National Sausage Pizza Day. Halloween doubles as Visit a Cemetery Day and National Knock Knock Joke Day.

In 1984 Congress considered a resolution proclaiming July 15 National Ice Cream Day. Lawmakers all screamed; the bill passed both chambers by voice vote, and President Reagan signed it into law and backed it with a presidential proclamation urging “appropriate ceremonies and activities” to honor this “nutritious and wholesome food.” National Today notes that its “lavish selection of food & beverage holidays”—from National Pie Day in January to National Bacon Day in December—provides “an excuse to temporarily cheat on your diet.”

When my daughter, Stephanie, was in elementary school, we shared a morning ritual, as kids and their parents often do. We reminded each other to “make it a day!” I felt it was important for Steph to cherish each new day and to find something, no matter how small, to celebrate. And I didn’t have to transfer money to her.

I had no idea that folks all around us were celebrating World UFO Day (July 2), National Iguana Awareness Day (Sept. 8) and National Bouillabaisse Day (Dec. 14).

All told, National Today counts more than 2,000 such days, including official holidays. September has the most (308), including my personal favorite, on Sept. 28. But how do you celebrate Ask a Stupid Question Day? I just did.

Mr. Funt is author of “Self-Amused: A Tell-Some Memoir.”