The Complete Story Behind Administrative Professionals' Day｜Why We Celebrate Administrative Professionals Every April

Administrative Professionals' Day (also known as Secretaries' Day) traces its origins back to the 1950s in the United States.

After World War II, America's economy expanded rapidly, creating a booming demand for administrative and secretarial professionals. However, there was a significant shortage of qualified talent, which drew the attention of business leaders. To elevate the status of the profession and recognize the vital contributions of secretaries, the National Secretaries Association (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals, IAAP) initiated the establishment of a special day.

Key Milestones:

• In 1952, the first-ever Secretaries' Day was officially celebrated in the United States, designated to fall on the last Wednesday of April every year.

• Over time, as the profession evolved to include a wider range of administrative roles (such as administrative assistants, office managers, and executive assistants), the day was gradually renamed to Administrative Professionals' Day to better reflect the broader responsibilities.

In Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other parts of Asia, the term "Secretaries' Day" remains widely used. It is a time when companies express gratitude to their administrative assistants, secretaries, and support staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.