It all started back in 1986 in Clio, Michigan, USA by a man named Kevin Zaborney and has been held on 21st January every year since then.
The reason behind National Hugging Day was that Kevin Zarboney believed that after the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays and before Valentine’s Day and birthdays started people were found to be in generally low spirits, so to cheer everyone up, he created this special day whereby you should offer a hug to family and friends to show them how much they are thought of.
Just make sure you ask the other persons permission before giving them a big bear hug.