anniversaries

An anniversary is the annual recurrence of a date or event, marking the passage of time since its occurrence. It can be celebrated, commemorated, or observed as a remembrance. While some anniversaries are joyous, others are solemn.

Personal anniversaries include birthdays and wedding anniversaries, as well as milestone dates such as the anniversary of moving into a home or achieving a notable goal. Institutional anniversaries mark the founding or incorporation of organizations, cities, or laws. Historical or civic anniversaries commemorate events such as independence, treaties, or major historical milestones. These dates recur every year on the same calendar date, regardless of the day of the week.

The term anniversary derives from Latin anniversarius, from annus meaning year, and entered English with the sense of yearly recurrence. It is used across cultures to reference the repetition of significant events.

Practices surrounding anniversaries vary by culture and occasion. Some are marked with celebrations, ceremonies, or gifts; others are observed through remembrance or public commemorations. Wedding anniversaries, in particular, are often noted with private or public acknowledgments, and many cultures assign symbolic meanings or customs to milestone years, though specific traditions differ widely.

In modern usage, anniversaries function as milestones that help individuals and communities reflect on time, recognize achievements, or honor memory. They provide anchors for personal life events, organizational histories, and collective remembrance, shaping how societies mark the passing of years.