National High Five Day

National High Five Day History

National High Five Day (NH5D) is dedicated to promoting positivity, friendly interaction, and camaraderie. It uses the universal gesture of a "high five" to encourage connection and goodwill between people. The observance holds great significance as it fosters a sense of belonging, spreads joy and fun amongst participants while emphasizing the simplicity of expressing unity, success, or affirmation through a physical gesture.

NH5D traces its origins back to the University of Virginia in 2002, when a group of students decided to create a holiday dedicated to this affirmative gesture. As it quickly gained momentum, it began to resonate with Americans nationwide, highlighting the cultural relevance of high fives. In America, the high five is often symbolic of achievement, partnership, or shared excitement, making NH5D a perfect fusion of American culture and positivity.

Celebration of National High Five Day in America typically involves individuals and communities proactively giving high fives throughout the day. Activities are often organized at schools, workplaces, and public spaces to encourage broad participation. These events uphold the spirit of the observance, spreading positivity, and reinforcing unity. NH5D is typically celebrated on the third Thursday of April each year.

Top 8 Facts for National High Five Day in 2026

• The high five is most famously credited to Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Glenn Burke and Dusty Baker, who shared the first recorded gesture on October 2, 1977, after Baker hit his 30th home run of the season.
• National High Five Day was established in 2002 by a group of students at the University of Virginia who spent the day giving out free lemonade and high fives on campus.
• One of the holiday's founders, Conor Lastowka, originally invented a fictional origin story involving a basketball player named Lamont Sleets Jr. to fill the void of a definitive history for the hand gesture.
• The observance evolved into a charitable effort known as the National High Five Project, which has hosted events like the National High-5-A-Thon For Cancer Research to raise funds for medical centers and children's hospitals.
• The 2014 ESPN documentary 30 for 30 Shorts: The High Five explores the competing claims of the gesture's origins, including an alternate theory involving the 1978–79 Louisville Cardinals basketball team.
• Researchers have analyzed the gesture's psychological impact, noting that the physical contact of a high five can trigger the release of oxytocin and has been statistically linked to improved performance in professional sports teams.
• The "too slow" variation of the low five gained cinematic fame after being featured in the 1987 film The Principal and later in the 2014 movie Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
• To promote the spirit of the day, an enthusiast named Craig Lewis once quit his job to travel through 36 different countries and high-five people across the globe.

In the News and Trending in the US for National High Five Day

Top things to do in the US for National High Five Day

• Learn about the origins of the high five. LA Dodgers rookie outfielder Glenn Burke was documented in 1977 raising his arm high above his head to slap palms with Dustry Baker after he hit a homerun.
• Watch a collection of videos celebrating high five day. The high five is versatile in that it can be used during funny moments or momentous ones.
• Spread virtual high fives! Covid-19 is still impacting many people around the world. You can check on others and let them know you're thinking about them with a virtual high five.