G.I. Joe Day - Join us as we celebrate one of the best toys ever made this G.I. Joe Day.

G.I. Joe Day 2025 – February 1, 2025

We celebrate G.I. Joe Day on February 1 every year. These action figures have been a boy’s first choice since their introduction in 1964. The movable toy came in different superhero models who had different characters, but with one common theme: Action. This was the best-selling toy centered on boys and a pioneer for other toys being created. Did you know that G.I. was initially taken to mean “Galvanized Iron?”

History of G.I. Joe Day

G.I. Joe Day is celebrated on February 1 because the toy was introduced to the market in February 1964 by Hasbro, a toy company. The toy was created by Stanley Weston, a toymaker who felt a toy should be created for boys like Barbie was created for girls.This idea would turn out to be one of the greatest ideas in toy history, as the G.I. Joes took the world by storm, transforming the toy industry forever.G.I. stands for ‘Government issue’ or ‘General issue’, and the term G.I. Joe referred to U.S. soldiers during the Second World War. The name was adopted for Hasbro’s military-themed action figures. The toy had different models initially: Action Soldier, Action Sailor, and Action Pilot, each representing the different arms of the army.A girl version, Action Nurse, was also introduced. But later on, newer versions and variations were created. On the 30th anniversary of the G.I. Joe, the 3.75-inch model was introduced and was a massive success in the market.The G.I. Joe action figures became a cartoon series on T.V. in 1983. The series finally ended in 2011. A movie about the toy was also created in 2009. Hasbro merged with Marvel Comics to release a comic based on the toy collection. Several video games with different storylines on the action figure characters were created. The toy collection has become scarce, although the rarest models like Snake Eyes and Action Nurse are of high value and are sold for over $10,000.

G.I. Joe Day timeline

1941
G.I. Joe

Cartoonist Dave Breger coins the name G.I. Joe after getting drafted.

1964
The Invention of G.I. Joe

Hasbro introduces an action figure toy for boys.

1983
G.I. Joe on T.V.

The G.I. Joe cartoon series is aired on T.V.

2004
Boy, You're Famous

The toy is installed in the National Toy Hall of Fame, New York.

G.I. Joe Day FAQs

Why was the G.I. Joe discontinued?

It was canceled due to poor marketing and low sales.

How was the G.I. Joe invented?

It was invented to create an option as a toy for boys, just as dolls were for girls.

Was the G.I. Joe cartoon series canceled?

Yes. After the first season broadcast, the show went on a hiatus, without news of renewal.

G.I. Joe Day Activities

  1. Watch a cartoon episode

    Celebrate the G.I. Joe toys by watching the old cartoon episodes. They are so entertaining, you might lose track of time.

  2. Dig up your old toy

    You probably have the toy boxed up somewhere. Dig it up and have some fun! Perhaps even make it part of your shelf memorabilia.

  3. Share your toy story

    Let the younger ones know how you enjoyed your childhood with the action figure. You could even get a new toy to show them.

5 Important Facts About G.I. Joe

  1. The G.I. Joe nurse

    A female version of the action figure was created but failed in the market. However, it is now worth a lot of money as it is rare.

  2. The Joe weirdo

    A new G.I. Joe superhero, Bullet Man, was introduced but failed in the market as well.

  3. Snake Eyes

    The most expensive G.I. Joe figure is Snake Eyes, which sold for $12,900 on eBay.

  4. Action figures

    Hasbro coined the term to make the toy marketable, as dolls were seen as a girls-only word.

  5. The action star's cereal

    G.I. Joe had cereal with variations of the action figures in action poses.

Why We Love G.I. Joe Day

  1. It's one of our favorites

    G.I. Joe used to be our first choice for toys (as boys). The holiday reminds us of them.

  2. We reminisce

    These toys take us back to the days of boyhood. We spent every break we had reenacting war scenes with our G.I. Joe action figures.

  3. We had fun

    While watching the episodes, we had incredible fun. Not only did the episodes have cool characters, but the storylines were immersive too!

G.I. Joe Day dates

Year Date Day
2023 February 1 Wednesday
2024 February 1 Thursday
2025 February 1 Saturday
2026 February 1 Sunday
2027 February 1 Monday
National Dark Chocolate Day
National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
National Freedom Day
National Get Up Day
Decorating With Candy Day
National Baked Alaska Day
Spunky Old Broads Day
Robinson Crusoe Day
International Pisco Sour Day
World Hijab Day
Imbolc (Saint Brigid's Day)
National Serpent Day
Federal Territory Day
Abolition of Slavery Day
Change Your Password Day
Heroes' Day
G.I. Joe Day
Hula in the Coola Day
Car Insurance Day
National Texas Day
Tet Nguyen Dan
International Face and Body Art Day
Conservatorship and Guardianship Abuse Awareness Day
World Aspergillosis Day
National Sean Day
National Cameron Day
Day of Remembrance and Respect to Victims of the Communist Regime
Decorating with Candy Day
Yukon Quest
Holiday Hugs Day
Take Your Child To The Library Day
Lung Leavin’ Day
Harry Styles's Birthday
Stormi Webster's Birthday
La Poutine Week
Solo Diners Eat Out Week
National Patient Recognition Week
Women's Heart Week
World Interfaith Harmony Week
National Patient Recognition Week
Shape Up With Pickles Time
American Heart Month
Dog Training Education Month
Great American Pie Month
National Bird Feeding Month
National Cat Health Month
National Cherry Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
National Embroidery Month
National Hot Breakfast Month
National Macadamia Nut Month
National Snack Food Month
Pet Dental Health Month
Black History Month
National Grapefruit Month
Canned Food Month
Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
National Bake For Family Fun Month
Bike To Work Month
Humpback Whale Awareness Month
International Friendship Month
Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
LGBT+ History Month
Spunky Old Broads Month
National Library Lovers Month
National Cancer Prevention Month
National Sweet Potato Month
International Expect Success Month
Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month
National Heart Healthy Month
International Boost Self Esteem Month
An Affair to Remember Month
Creative Romance Month
National Fasting February
Potato Lovers Month
Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
National Time Management Month
Celebration of Chocolate Month
Love the Bus Month
Pull Your Sofa Off the Wall Month
Relationship Wellness Month
National Care About Your Indoor Air Month
Wise Health Care Consumer Month
National Haiku Writing Month
From Africa to Virginia Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Financial Aid Awareness Month
Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month
National Mend a Broken Heart Month
National Senior Independence Month
National Arts Month
National Therapeutic Recreation Month
National Women Inventors Month
African American Heritage Month
Raynaud's Awareness Month
National Condom Month
International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
Declutter for a Cause Month
National Parent Leadership Month
Human Relations Month
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
Vegan Cuisine Month
Berry Fresh Month
Spiritual Teachers Month
National Fondue Month
National Laugh Friendly Month
North American Inclusion Month (NAIM)
Barley Month
National Self-Check Month
Women’s Role in History Month
Jobs in Golf Month
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
International Hoof Care Month
International Month of Black Women in the Arts
Beat the Heat Month
Ethnic Equality Month
Marijuana Awareness Month
National Goat Yoga Month
National Blah Buster Month
National African American Read-In
Feline Fix by Five Month
Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month
National Avocado and Banana Month
Free Open Source Software Month
Worldwide Renaissance of the Heart Month
Exotic Vegetables and Star Fruit Month
National Weddings Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month
National Enrolled Agents Month
Youth Leadership Month