National Shareholders Day is an American holiday observed on January 10 each year. A shareholder, usually referred to as a ‘stockholder’ in the United States, is an individual or legal entity registered by the corporation as a legal owner of shares of a public or private corporation.Shareholders may also be regarded as members of a corporation. Persons or legal entities become shareholders of a corporation after personally identifiable information about them has been officially entered into the corporation’s register of shareholders or members. The corporation is not required or permitted, except expressly by law, to inquire about the beneficial ownership of the shares. A corporation generally cannot own its own shares.
History of National Shareholders Day
In 12th-century France, the “courtiers de change” were responsible for the management and regulation of the debts of agricultural communities on behalf of the banks. As a result of the fact that these men also traded with debts, they could be regarded as the first brokers. The Italian historian Lodovico Guicciardini described how commodity traders gathered outdoors at a market square where an inn owned by the Van der Beurze family in late 13th-century Bruges stood. In 1409 they became known as the ‘Brugse Beurse,’ thereby institutionalizing what had only been an informal meeting prior to that. This idea then spread to neighboring countries and soon, ‘Beurzen’ opened in Ghent and Rotterdam.International traders, particularly Italian bankers who had been in Bruges since the early 13th century, returned to their countries with this new idea and began to define the place for stock market exchange. First came the Italians (Borsa), and then the French (Bourse), followed by the Germans (börse), Russians (birža), Czechs (burza), Swedes (börs), Danes and Norwegians (børs). The word, in most languages, coincides with that for ‘money bag,’ dating back to the Latin word ‘bursa,’ from which obviously also derives the name of the Van der Beurse family.Venetian bankers then began to trade in government securities in the middle of the 13th century. By 1351, the Venetian government outlawed the act of spreading rumors aimed at lowering the price of government funds.Bankers in Pisa, Verona, Genoa and Florence also began trading in government securities during the 14th century. This was made possible only because these independent city-states were not ruled by a duke, but by a council of citizens.
National Shareholders Day timeline
The Venetian government bans the act of spreading rumors meant to lower government funds.
The Van der Beurze family establishes the ‘Burgse Beurse’ in Bruges, Belgium — it institutionalizes the earliest form of stock broking.
The Dutch East India Company, known to be the first publicly traded company to issue shares, is established.
The first modern stock trading takes place.
National Shareholders Day FAQs
What is National Shareholders Day?
National Shareholders Day, celebrated on January 10 every year, is an American holiday specifically for company shareholders in the U.S.
What are shares?
Shares are units used as mutual funds or real estate investment trusts. Share capital is defined as the shares of a business.
What company was the first to issue shares?
The Dutch East India Company, established in 1602, was the first company to issue its shares publicly.
How to Observe National Shareholders Day
-
Do some research about the stock market
If you’ve ever needed a prompt to do some studying as to what the stock market entails, here is your chance! Learn all you can today.
-
Become a shareholder
What better way to celebrate National Shareholders Day than to buy some shares in a preferred company. You can become a shareholder yourself.
-
Join the conversation online
Join the conversation online. Use the #NationalShareholdersDay hashtag.
5 Interesting Facts About The Stock Market
-
How ‘bearish’ and ‘bullish’ began
The terms ‘bearish’ and ‘bullish’ in reference to the behavior or trend of the stock market originated from fights pitting grizzly bears against bulls by caballeros in California.
-
There’s a “pirate stock exchange” in Somalia
In Somalia, individuals can invest in piracy — that is, highjacking vessels at sea and demanding ransom.
-
The N.Y.S.E. is the most traditional
The New York Stock Exchange is considered the most traditional as traders not wearing a coat and tie are not allowed on the floor.
-
The world’s largest stock exchange
The New York Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in the world, having an equity market capitalization of more than US$ 27.2 trillion as of March 2022.
-
The world’s most expensive share
The most expensive share in the world is billionaire Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway share, which as of January 2022, trades at $458,675 per share.
Why National Shareholders Day is Important
-
It’s a good way to earn passive income
Shareholding is a really good way to make passive income from interests on invested stocks. Get earning today.
-
Shares tend to yield impressive interests
Depending on what the market is like, and what company is involved, shares may appreciate at very impressive rates. Do some research and select the most lucrative ones.
-
It’s an opportunity for company ownership
With shareholding comes some sense of belonging. Owning a company’s shares is technically being a part owner of a company.
National Shareholders Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | January 10 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | January 10 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | January 10 | Friday |
| 2026 | January 10 | Saturday |
| 2027 | January 10 | Sunday |
