Ingersoll Day is observed worldwide on August 11 each year, celebrating the life and legacy of Robert G. Ingersoll, a notable American lawyer, writer, and public speaker known for his contributions to the freethought movement during the late 19th century. This unofficial holiday honors Ingersoll’s advocacy for reason and empirical observation over dogma and tradition, reflecting the principles of freethought. Activities typically include learning about Ingersoll’s life and views, reading his works, and visiting the Robert Green Ingersoll Birthplace Museum in Dresden, New York. The celebration also encourages sharing insights about Ingersoll on social media using the hashtag #IngersollDay. Ingersoll was a prominent figure in the National Liberal League and later the American Secular Union, where he championed the separation of church and state. His friendships with notable contemporaries like Walt Whitman and Mark Twain further highlight his influence and legacy.
