August 8

Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day

On Take a Penny/Leave a Penny Day, spread kindness and generosity by paying it forward with spare change. Every penny counts!

Yearly Date
August 8
Type
Day
Category
Fun

Introduction

Mark your calendars for August 8 because it's Take a Penny/Leave a Penny Day! This unique holiday has been observed since the early 20th century and is all about promoting kindness and generosity in our daily lives. The concept of taking or leaving a penny at a store counter may seem small, but it represents a larger idea of giving back to those in need. So don't forget to bring your pennies on this special day and spread some positivity and goodwill with every transaction. Who knows, you may even receive some good karma in return!

Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day Timeline

1909
United States Introduces Lincoln Penny
To celebrate the 100th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. Mint introduces the Lincoln penny.
1916
Penny Tray Origin
General stores in the United States began using trays for customers to donate or use pennies for transactions.
1950s
Penny Trays Become Common
Penny trays become a common sight at cash registers in businesses across the country.
1981
Penny Production Changes
Due to rising copper prices, U.S. pennies started being made with zinc cores plated with copper.
2000s
Online Penny Initiatives
Online drive initiatives are created to gather pennies for charity.
2015
Notable Penny Collecting Record
A man in Texas made news by purchasing a car with pennies he had saved for 65 years, highlighting the value of penny savings.

How to Celebrate Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day

1

Spread kindness with pennies

On Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day, leave a trail of pennies around your neighborhood with inspirational notes attached. This will not only brighten someone's day but also spread the message of kindness.

2

Donate to a charity

Gather up all your spare change and donate it to a charity or organization that helps those in need. Every penny counts and can make a difference in someone's life.

3

Create a penny art project

Get creative and make a piece of art using pennies! It could be a mosaic, a sculpture, or even a painting. This is a fun way to celebrate Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day while also showcasing your artistic talents.

4

Play a game with pennies

Gather some friends and have a penny throwing or flipping competition. The winner gets to donate all the pennies to a charity of their choice!

5

Start a penny jar

Create a jar specifically for collecting pennies and make it a habit to add spare change to it every day. Once the jar is full, donate the money to a charity or use it for a fun activity with friends or family.

Why We Love Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day

A

It promotes generosity and kindness

Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day encourages people to share their extra change with others in need. It reminds us to be generous, helpful, and compassionate towards our fellow human beings.

B

It helps reduce waste

By taking advantage of the spare change left behind by others, we can help cut down on the amount of money that goes unused or is thrown away. This small act of sharing can have a positive impact on the environment and our resources.

C

It unites communities

Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day brings people together as they exchange coins and engage in friendly interactions. It's a reminder that small acts of kindness can create a sense of connection and unity among strangers.

Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Aug 8
Tuesday
2024
Aug 8
Thursday
2025
Aug 8
Friday
2026
Aug 8
Saturday
2027
Aug 8
Sunday