anniversary

An anniversary is the date on which an event occurred, celebrated or remembered on a yearly basis. It marks the recurrence of that event each year on the same calendar date. The term is used for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries of marriage, the founding of organizations, and other significant milestones. The word derives from Latin anniversarius, meaning yearly or returning every year, from annus, year.

Common types include personal anniversaries such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries, as well as anniversaries of adoption or memorial anniversaries for those who have died. Organizations and communities observe corporate anniversaries or national anniversaries to mark founding dates or important historical events. Milestone anniversaries are often given special attention, with traditional names based on materials or numbers, such as silver at the 25th and gold at the 50th, among other lists used in different cultures.

Observances vary by culture and purpose, but often involve gatherings, gifts, or remembrances, as well as ceremonies or public holidays for national anniversaries. In addition to celebration, anniversaries can serve as moments for reflection, reassessment of goals, or renewal of commitments. When calculating anniversaries, the date remains the same; events on February 29 raise considerations for leap years depending on local custom.