International Kissing Day on July 6: Origins and Meaning

When is International Kissing Day?

International Kissing Day falls on July 6 every year. You might also hear it called World Kiss Day or simply Kissing Day. Like National Hugging Day, it’s an unofficial observance, not a public holiday.

Where did International Kissing Day come from?

No one knows for certain who started International Kissing Day. The United Kingdom is often mentioned as its birthplace, and the British newspaper The Guardian was already reporting on a “National Kissing Day” on July 6, 2000. But there’s no clear record of how today’s international observance began—or why July 6 was chosen.

To make things more complicated, Britain’s National Kissing Day has been observed on different dates in June and July. So its history can’t simply be treated as the origin story of International Kissing Day.

Then again, you don’t need an official founding document to share a kiss.

What can a kiss mean?

Not all kisses mean the same thing. A kiss on the lips between romantic partners, a kiss on the cheek to say hello, and a kiss on a child’s forehead can each express something different: romance, friendship, or family affection.

Kissing also has a long history in religion and society. The “kiss of peace” is part of Christian tradition, while other kinds of kisses can express respect or reverence. What matters is who’s kissing whom, and in what situation.

Do people kiss in every culture?

Not necessarily. Romantic kissing on the lips isn’t a universal custom. A 2015 study published in the journal American Anthropologist examined data from 168 cultures. Researchers found evidence of romantic-sexual kissing in 77 of them—about 46%.

There are two important things to keep in mind. First, that percentage refers to cultures, not the percentage of people worldwide who kiss. Second, the study looked specifically at romantic-sexual kissing, not greeting kisses or kisses between parents and children. And just because researchers didn’t observe a behavior doesn’t mean it never happened. Even so, the findings suggest that romantic kissing isn’t something every culture takes for granted.

How is International Kissing Day different from Valentine’s Day and National Hugging Day?

International Kissing Day celebrates one particular gesture: a kiss. Valentine’s Day, on February 14, developed over centuries and is now associated with love notes and gifts. National Hugging Day, on January 21, is all about hugs—and it’s meant for family and friends as well as couples.

How can you celebrate International Kissing Day?

You don’t need a grand gesture to make the day special. Here are a few ideas:

• Take your time with a hello or goodbye kiss today, instead of rushing through it.
• Think back to your first kiss. Where were you, and what did you say afterward? Maybe you even have a photo or message from that day.
• Leave a little note with a kiss mark on it—on the mirror or tucked into a jacket pocket.
• Remember that a kiss should always be welcome. If someone would rather keep their distance, show you care in another way.

Want to remember the day of your first kiss? Add it as a custom date in Anniversaries & Photo Collages, and you can always see exactly how many days have passed since that moment. The app is free and ad-free, with no account required and no tracking. Download it from the App Store.