NATIONAL DAYPOP CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

National 3-D Day

Every year on the third day of the third full week of March, reality gets a thrilling second layer. National 3-D Day celebrates the art, science, and history of stereoscopic 3-D imagery, the clever trick that turns two flat pictures into one vivid world. In 2027, the fun pops out on Wednesday, March 17, so grab your glasses and get ready to see depth everywhere.

MAR17

Wednesday, March 17Every year on March 17

days to go

Roots: Established in 2020 by 3-D Space, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving stereoscopic imaging through its Center for Stereoscopic Photography, Art, Cinema, and Education.
Hashtag: #National3DDay

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3 ways to celebrate

AT HOME

Host a 3-D movie night

Queue up a 3-D film, hand out the glasses, and make popcorn; ducking at flying objects is optional but encouraged.

WITH FRIENDS

Make a stereo pair

Take two smartphone photos of the same subject a few inches apart, merge them into 3-D, and challenge friends to the weirdest successful depth shot.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Share the depth

Donate old 3-D viewers to a school or library, or introduce a kid to a View-Master and watch their face light up.

Plan ahead

National 3-D Day moves each year. This year it is Wednesday, March 17, 2027. Check back for future years.

Fast facts

1838The stereoscope dates to 1838, when British scientist Charles Wheatstone proved that two slightly different pictures, one for each eye, fuse in the brain into a single three-dimensional view.

Dig out a pair of 3-D glasses, watch a 3-D movie, or make your own stereo photo pair with a smartphone.