Pitcairn Day
Thursday, July 2, 2026
The official celebration of the discovery of Pitcairn Island takes place on 2 July and is called simply Pitcairn Day. In 2026, Pitcairn Day falls on Thursday 2 July. The holiday will be on Friday 2 July in 2027. It was on this day in 1767 that Captain Carteret and the HMS Swallow encountered the island, which was then named after a young 15-year-old shipmate on board, Mr. Robert Pitcairn. Pitcairn had been the first on board to sight the island that now bears his name. No settlement took place at this time, however. The island had been inhabited by Polynesians earlier, but the entire population had either died off or abandoned the island. Later, members of the HMS Bounty committed mutiny and sailed to Pitcairn Island to live. Its isolated location made it the ideal hideaway.
History
It was on this day in 1767 that Captain Carteret and the HMS Swallow encountered the island, which was then named after a young 15-year-old shipmate on board, Mr. Pitcairn had been the first on board to sight the island that now bears his name. No settlement took place at this time, however. The island had been inhabited by Polynesians earlier, but the entire population had either died off or abandoned the island
How It's Celebrated
The official celebration of the discovery of Pitcairn Island takes place on 2 July and is called simply Pitcairn Day. The holiday will be on Friday 2 July in 2027