National Good Neighbor Day
“In recognition of the importance of fostering compassion and respect in ourselves for our neighbors, the Congress has requested the proclamation of… National Good Neighbor Day.”
Practice
Get Your Good Neighbor Guide. A guide with simple, practical things you can do to celebrate National Good Neighbor Day.
Make Your Plan. Make a plan so you know exactly what you’re going to do on September 28.
Meet Your Neighbors. Confidently take the first step in creating connections and building belonging.
There’s an official observance in the United States to celebrate and practice being a good neighbor. In 1978, a presidential proclamation for National Good Neighbor Day was signed by President Jimmy Carter. The words of the proclamation echo our everyday reality almost 50 years later.
As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the peoples of this world, we are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others. Understanding, love, and respect build cohesive families and communities. The same bonds cement our Nation, and the nations of the world.
For most of us, this sense of community is nurtured and expressed in our neighborhoods where we give each other an opportunity to share and feel part of a larger family.
In recognition of the importance of fostering compassion and respect in ourselves for our neighbors, the Congress has requested the proclamation of September 24, 1978, as National Good Neighbor Day (S.J. Res. 133). Now, Therefore, I, Jimmy Carter, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday, September 24, 1978, as National Good Neighbor Day.
I call upon the people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
National Good Neighbor Day was celebrated on the fourth Sunday in September until 2003, when the date was fixed to an annual observance on September 28. In 2023, The Hopeful Neighborhood Project became the managing sponsor and organizer of the holiday. Jennifer Prophete, the Executive Director of The Hopeful Neighborhood Project, shared her hopes for the holiday to outgrow their oversight. “My vision is that National Good Neighbor Day would become as widely known and practiced as Halloween—which has no owner and no logo,” she shares winsomely.
Jennifer spoke about two common obstacles toward connecting with their neighbors. “Almost everyone intends to be a good neighbor. However, they plan to do it tomorrow. Life is busy,” she says with sincerity. “The second is that people are unsure how they will be received by their neighbors. Research shows people think a good neighbor is someone who's quiet and leaves you alone.” Jennifer then states with an honest smile, “So, National Good Neighbor Day gives you an official excuse. It gives you a reason to reach out to your neighbor, whether you just moved in or whether you've been there 10 years. And it gives you a date, so you don't keep putting off meeting your neighbors until tomorrow.”
Her belief is that National Good Neighbor Day is an opportunity for everyone to practice taking the next step. “No matter where you are in your neighboring journey, it's a good day to go one step further. If you've not done anything, it's a good day to start something. If you know a lot of your neighbors, it's a good day to add one more. Maybe you know everybody's name, but you've never invited them over. So, it's a good day to invite people over. Maybe you've invited your neighbors over, but you haven't taken the next step together of doing something that's good for our neighborhood. It's a good day to do that.” Her conviction is clear: “No matter where you are, there's a good way to celebrate the day and be a good neighbor.”
National Good Neighbor Day is a day of shared celebration and practice. It is an invitation and official excuse to take the next step in loving your neighbors and neighborhood.
