theMarketing Calendar
Log inSign up
← All days
day · fixed · day 172 of 365

National Selfie Day

Get out your phone or camera and start snapping selfies. Post your favorites, and let yourself feel comfortable in your own skin and proud of your photos.

Hobbies & ActivitiesLife & LivingPeople & RelationshipsSilly & Humorous65
Marketing angleinferred

Leverage National Selfie Day to drive engagement and UGC campaigns around smartphone cameras, beauty products, fashion, and social media tools targeting younger demographics.

Relevance 65medium intent
  • Share your best selfie and tag us for a chance to be featured on our feed
  • Selfie Day makeup/fashion challenge: show us your look
  • Behind-the-scenes selfies from our team—join the fun
  • Selfie stick or phone accessory giveaway tied to National Selfie Day
History

Selfies have probably existed as long as hand-held cameras have been a thing. Human vanity is so utterly profound that if we’re given the opportunity to do something self-aggrandizing, we do. This habit, in our defense, doesn’t seem to be strictly human in nature.

Given access to a camera and a little time to figure it out, monkeys will start snapping selfies like no one’s business. In 2014, BBC officially declared a National Selfie Day, which amusingly heralded a sudden decline in selfies.

Interestingly, there was a similar drop after the Oxford English Dictionary added ‘selfie’ to its pages. Apparently making something official is a damned fine way of making sure no one wants to do them anymore.

But don’t let that worry you, we’re pretty sure the selfie is definitely here to stay, especially since there have been a series of inventions to make it easier to do. From the ‘selfie-stick’ to the write mounted drone that will take flight and snap a photo of you on request, selfie technology is getting more advanced every day.

How to celebrate

Take Some Selfies

Selfie day is best celebrated by taking tons and tons of selfies in pursuit of the perfect one. So get out there with your camera and take a picture of yourself every time the opportunity presents itself, we won’t judge you!

Grab a Selfie Stick

You can even buy yourself a selfie-stick to take pictures of yourself with (and return it in shame the next day as you realize how it made you a terrible person). For once you don’t have to be embarrassed to take a selfie to post on your profiles, you’ve got one clear excuse and an absolute pass on it for the day.

Make a Joke of It

Another great way to celebrate selfie day is, if you take an abborhent photo that you feel you could not possibly show anyone, you could choose to embrace it and send it as a joke to those you are closest to (and know you the best) to make them laugh! They truly know how you look, so any bad photo will not disway how they envision you in their minds. Selfie day is a day to celebrate you in all your glory, even if that is dishevelled hair that hasn’t been washed in a week, or hormonal breakouts that just will not disappear. Or perhaps you want to play around with a new make-up trend, a selfie will capture that decision forever, so make it a good one! Take a selfie, have fun, be wild! It’s National Selfie Day, afterall! National Selfie Day Timeline1839Robert Cornelius’s Early Photographic Self‑PortraitIn Philadelphia, chemistry and lighting expert Robert Cornelius creates one of the earliest known photographic self‑portraits, foreshadowing the modern urge to point the camera back at oneself.[1]2002“Selfie” Appears in Australian Online SlangAn Australian forum user posts a self‑shot photo and casually calls it a “selfie,” giving the modern name to a practice that would soon sweep social media worldwide.[1]2003–2004First Mobile Phones With Front‑Facing CamerasManufacturers begin releasing 3G phones like the Sony Ericsson Z1010 with small front‑facing cameras for video calls, quietly laying the hardware groundwork for effortless digital self‑portraits.[1]2010iPhone 4 Mainstreams the Front‑Facing CameraApple introduces the iPhone 4 with a built‑in front camera marketed for FaceTime, and users quickly repurpose it for arm’s‑length self‑portraits that become central to smartphone culture.[1]2013“Selfie” Named Oxford Word of the YearOxford Dictionaries crowns “selfie” its Word of the Year and reports a 17,000 percent surge in usage, cementing the term as a defining feature of early‑2010s life online.[1]March 2, 2014Ellen’s Oscars Selfie Breaks Twitter RecordsDuring the Academy Awards, Ellen DeGeneres and a cluster of Hollywood stars crowd into a smartphone shot that becomes the most‑retweeted tweet of its time and a symbol of selfie culture.2013–2014Selfie Sticks and Mass‑Market Self‑Portrait Gear BoomExtendable monopods such as the Quik Pod and low‑cost smartphone selfie sticks spread globally, making it easier for everyday users to frame themselves and friends against dramatic backdrops.

Robert Cornelius’s Early Photographic Self‑Portrait

In Philadelphia, chemistry and lighting expert Robert Cornelius creates one of the earliest known photographic self‑portraits, foreshadowing the modern urge to point the camera back at oneself. [1]

“Selfie” Appears in Australian Online Slang

An Australian forum user posts a self‑shot photo and casually calls it a “selfie,” giving the modern name to a practice that would soon sweep social media worldwide. [1]

First Mobile Phones With Front‑Facing Cameras

Manufacturers begin releasing 3G phones like the Sony Ericsson Z1010 with small front‑facing cameras for video calls, quietly laying the hardware groundwork for effortless digital self‑portraits. [1]

iPhone 4 Mainstreams the Front‑Facing Camera

Apple introduces the iPhone 4 with a built‑in front camera marketed for FaceTime, and users quickly repurpose it for arm’s‑length self‑portraits that become central to smartphone culture. [1]

“Selfie” Named Oxford Word of the Year

Oxford Dictionaries crowns “selfie” its Word of the Year and reports a 17,000 percent surge in usage, cementing the term as a defining feature of early‑2010s life online. [1]

Ellen’s Oscars Selfie Breaks Twitter Records

During the Academy Awards, Ellen DeGeneres and a cluster of Hollywood stars crowd into a smartphone shot that becomes the most‑retweeted tweet of its time and a symbol of selfie culture.

Selfie Sticks and Mass‑Market Self‑Portrait Gear Boom

Extendable monopods such as the Quik Pod and low‑cost smartphone selfie sticks spread globally, making it easier for everyday users to frame themselves and friends against dramatic backdrops.

FAQ
Did you know people once considered selfies a status symbol?
In the early days of smartphones, selfies were tied to privilege. Owning a device with a front-facing camera wasn’t universal, making selfies a subtle sign of wealth or tech savviness. This association faded as affordable devices became more widespread.
How have animals played a role in selfie culture?
Animals have become accidental selfie stars. One famous example is the “monkey selfie,” when a macaque used a photographer’s camera to snap its photo. This sparked debates about ownership rights over images taken by animals.
Are there any strange superstitions about selfies?
In some cultures, people believe selfies capture more than just an image—they can “steal” a part of your soul. While this belief predates photography, it persists in modern times with the rise of digital imagery and selfies.
How do astronauts take selfies in space?
Selfies in space require creativity. Astronauts use reflective visors on their helmets or position cameras with outstretched arms, showcasing stunning views of Earth or the cosmos in the background. These images inspire awe and connect people to space exploration.
What’s the most unusual use of selfies in history?
During World War II, soldiers would send early versions of selfies—self-shot portraits—home to loved ones. These images offered a personal glimpse into their lives during wartime and became keepsakes for families.
How has selfie technology influenced other industries?
The demand for better selfies drove advancements in smartphone cameras, lighting tools, and editing apps. These technologies, in turn, revolutionized fields like content creation, online learning, and even telemedicine.
What role do selfies play in tourism?
Tourists now pick destinations based on “Instagrammability.” Locations like Santorini and the Taj Mahal see spikes in visits thanks to viral selfies. The trend boosts local economies while reshaping global travel priorities.
How can selfies positively impact mental health?
Selfies can boost self-confidence when used to celebrate personal achievements or milestones. For some, taking a selfie provides a moment of self-reflection and self-acceptance. Creative selfies, such as those with filters or fun poses, can also encourage playfulness and a sense of joy, promoting emotional well-being.
Are there environmental concerns tied to selfies?
Taking selfies at delicate natural sites can harm ecosystems. Tourists often damage fragile areas while chasing the perfect shot, prompting some parks to ban photography in specific zones to protect wildlife.
How do psychologists view the rise of selfie culture?
Psychologists say selfies can be a form of self-expression but warn against over-reliance on likes and shares for validation. They encourage focusing on creativity and meaning behind selfies instead of external approval.