National Garfield the Cat Day
June 19
About National Garfield the Cat Day
National Garfield the Cat Day falls on Friday, 19 June 2026. The day celebrates Garfield, the lasagne-loving, Monday-hating tabby cat created by cartoonist Jim Davis. It is held on 19 June because that is the date the very first Garfield comic strip appeared in newspapers in 1978, making it the character’s official anniversary and in-universe birthday.
How to Celebrate National Garfield the Cat Day
Garfield Day is built for easy, low-effort fun, which is exactly how Garfield himself would want it. Here are plenty of ways to mark the occasion.
- Cook a tray of lasagne – Garfield’s favourite food is lasagne, so making (or ordering) a generous portion is the most fitting way to celebrate. Layer the pasta high and resist the urge to share.
- Read the original comic strips – Dig out a Garfield collection or browse the official archive online and start with the very first strip from 19 June 1978 to see how the character has changed.
- Have a Garfield movie marathon – Watch the animated specials, the 2004 live-action film, or the 2024 release “The Garfield Movie” for a full day of feline mischief.
- Embrace a lazy day – Garfield is famous for napping and avoiding effort. Give yourself permission to do as little as possible, ideally from the comfort of a sofa.
- Spoil a real cat – Treat your own pet to extra fuss, a new toy, or a special meal. If you do not have a cat, consider donating to a local shelter or rescue in Garfield’s honour.
- Dress in orange – Wear orange and black, Garfield’s signature colours, or pull on a Garfield T-shirt if you have one.
- Quote Garfield all day – Lean into his grumpy wisdom about Mondays, diets, and Odie. It is a low-stakes way to join the celebration.
- Share Garfield online – Post your favourite strip, meme, or cat photo and tag friends who appreciate a cynical cartoon cat.
What is National Garfield the Cat Day?
National Garfield the Cat Day is an unofficial holiday honouring one of the most recognisable comic characters in the world. Garfield is a fat, orange tabby with a sharp tongue, a deep love of food, and a famous loathing of Mondays. The day is a chance for fans to revisit the comics, films, and television specials while celebrating cats more broadly. It appeals to long-time readers who grew up with the strip as well as newer fans introduced through recent films and internet memes.
When is National Garfield the Cat Day?
National Garfield the Cat Day is observed every year on 19 June. In 2026 it falls on a Friday. The date is fixed and never changes, because it marks the anniversary of the first Garfield comic strip, published on 19 June 1978. Jim Davis later wrote 19 June into the comic itself as Garfield’s birthday, so the character and the celebration share the same date.
The History of National Garfield the Cat Day
The story begins with Jim Davis, a cartoonist from Indiana who grew up on a farm that was home to around twenty-five cats. His first comic strip, “Gnorm Gnat”, ran in a local Indiana newspaper from 1973 to 1975 but struggled to find an audience, with one editor reportedly telling him that nobody could identify with bugs. Davis switched his focus to a cat, drawing on his rural upbringing, and named the character Garfield after his own grandfather, James Garfield Davis.
The first Garfield strip was published on 19 June 1978. The comic was an immediate success and spread rapidly through newspaper syndication. Over the following decades Garfield became a merchandising and media phenomenon, spawning animated television specials, the series “Garfield and Friends”, feature films, video games, and a vast range of products. The character’s relatable obsessions, food, sleep, and a hatred of effort, helped the strip cross generations and borders.
National Garfield the Cat Day was first celebrated in 1998, on the 20th anniversary of the comic. Boca Raton City Council member Wanda Thayer proclaimed 19 June as Garfield the Cat Day during a surprise birthday party held at the International Museum of Cartoon Art in Boca Raton, Florida. Since then, fans have continued to mark the date, and it has grown into a wider celebration of both the comic and cats in general.
Fun Facts About National Garfield the Cat Day
- Garfield holds the Guinness World Record for being the world’s most widely syndicated comic strip, appearing in thousands of newspapers around the globe.
- The first strip ran on 19 June 1978, which means the comic has been running for well over four decades.
- Garfield was named after Jim Davis’s grandfather, James Garfield Davis.
- The character’s love of lasagne has become so iconic that lasagne is now strongly associated with the comic and the celebration.
- Garfield’s birthday is canon within the comic, as Jim Davis wrote 19 June into an early strip.
- The day was first proclaimed in Boca Raton, Florida, the home of the International Museum of Cartoon Art at the time.
Why National Garfield the Cat Day Matters
Beyond the lasagne and the lazy jokes, the day is a celebration of comics as an art form and of a character who has brought humour to readers for more than forty years. It is also an easy hook for cat lovers to spoil their pets and support animal shelters. If you enjoy marking pet-themed occasions, you might also like Hug Your Cat Day, which falls earlier in June and shares the same affection for feline companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Garfield the Cat Day?
It is an unofficial holiday celebrating Garfield, the orange tabby cat created by cartoonist Jim Davis. Fans mark it by reading the comics, watching the films, eating lasagne, and spoiling real cats.
When is National Garfield the Cat Day in 2026?
It takes place on Friday, 19 June 2026. The date is fixed every year because it marks the anniversary of the first Garfield comic strip from 1978.
Why is Garfield Day on 19 June?
The first Garfield comic strip was published on 19 June 1978. Jim Davis later established the same date as Garfield’s birthday within the comic, so the character and the celebration share one anniversary.
Spread the Word
Share the celebration and your best cat photos on social media using #GarfieldDay and #GarfieldDay2026. Whether you are baking a tray of lasagne or simply enjoying a well-earned nap, tag your friends and challenge them to take part. While you are at it, pencil in National Lasagna Day later in the year for a second helping of Garfield’s favourite dish.
Related Awareness Days
- Hug Your Cat Day – A June celebration of giving your feline friend extra affection, perfect for cat-loving Garfield fans.
- National Corgi Day – Another fun, pet-themed day for animal lovers who enjoy celebrating beloved breeds and characters.
- National Lasagna Day – A whole day devoted to Garfield’s favourite food, ideal for a tasty follow-up celebration.
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