The unofficial holiday is also a celebration of human grit and hard work. It promotes the idea that people can overcome challenges and achieve anything they want if they put their hearts and souls into it.
A Life Spent Overcoming Challenges
Born on June 27, 1880, in Alabama, United States, Helen Keller suffered from an illness in her childhood that left her blind and deaf at the age of two. Despite her challenges, Keller learned to communicate in sign language with the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan. In 1904, Keller became the first deaf and blind person to earn a bachelor's degree in the US.
Disability Advocate
Helen Keller spent the rest of her life advocating for people with disabilities, supporting the socialist party, traveling the world, and writing.
In 1980, during her birth centennial, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed June 27, her birthday, to be celebrated as Helen Keller Day.
How to Celebrate?
- Read about the life and times of Helen Keller.
- Honor and celebrate people in your life and community who have conquered hardships and achieved something in life.
Did You Know…
…that Helen Keller won an Oscar for a documentary on her life? The documentary was called Helen Keller in Her Story. It was released in 1954 and received the Oscar in 1955.
Helen Keller Day Observances
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Fri | Jun 27 | Helen Keller Day |
| 2026 | Sat | Jun 27 | Helen Keller Day |
| 2027 | Sun | Jun 27 | Helen Keller Day |
| 2028 | Tue | Jun 27 | Helen Keller Day |
| 2029 | Wed | Jun 27 | Helen Keller Day |
| 2030 | Thu | Jun 27 | Helen Keller Day |
| 2031 | Fri | Jun 27 | Helen Keller Day |
| 2032 | Sun | Jun 27 | Helen Keller Day |
| 2033 | Mon | Jun 27 | Helen Keller Day |
| 2034 | Tue | Jun 27 | Helen Keller Day |