Ingersoll Day

Ingersoll Day is celebrated annually on August 11. In 2026, this date falls on a Tuesday. This unofficial holiday honors the life and legacy of Robert G. Ingersoll, a prominent American lawyer, writer, and orator who championed freethought, agnosticism, and intellectual freedom during the late 19th century.

History of Ingersoll Day

Robert Green Ingersoll was born on August 11, 1833, in Dresden, New York. His father, Rev. John Ingersoll, was a Congregationalist preacher with abolitionist views, and the mistreatment his father endured for his liberal opinions influenced young Robert to become a staunch agnostic. Ingersoll began his career as a teacher and later raised the 11th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry during the American Civil War, serving as its colonel. After the war, he became Illinois attorney general and was a prominent Republican, but his outspoken agnosticism prevented him from achieving higher political office.

Ingersoll turned to the lecture circuit, where he earned fame as "the Great Agnostic." He served as president of the American Secular Union, an organization that promoted secularism and freethought. His powerful speeches and writings challenged traditional religious beliefs and advocated for reason, science, and humanism. Ingersoll was friends with notable figures such as Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who delivered a moving eulogy at his funeral. The exact origin of Ingersoll Day is unclear, but his birthday has become a day to celebrate his contributions to freethought and intellectual inquiry.

Why is Ingersoll Day important?

Ingersoll Day reminds us of the value of questioning established beliefs and thinking independently. Ingersoll’s advocacy for reason and free speech helped shape the modern freethought movement and continues to inspire those who value intellectual freedom. His legacy encourages people to challenge dogma and embrace evidence-based thinking.

Celebrating this day also highlights Ingersoll’s broader contributions to social justice. He was an abolitionist who opposed slavery and supported women’s suffrage. His speeches promoted civil rights and human dignity, making him a progressive voice in his era. Ingersoll Day is a call to continue advocating for these principles.

• Ingersoll was a leading figure in the Golden Age of Freethought, a period when secular ideas gained prominence in the United States.
• He delivered the famous nominating speech for James G. Blaine at the 1876 Republican Convention, earning the nickname "the Plumed Knight."
• At the height of his popularity, Ingersoll received up to $3,500 for a single lecture, a substantial sum at the time.
• Mark Twain praised Ingersoll’s oratory, saying "the organ of human speech was played by a master" after hearing him speak.
• The Robert Green Ingersoll Birthplace Museum in Dresden, New York, preserves his legacy and offers visitors insight into his life and work.

How to Celebrate Ingersoll Day

Celebrate Ingersoll Day by exploring the life and ideas of this remarkable freethinker. Read his speeches and writings, which are widely available online, to understand his views on religion, politics, and human rights. Visiting the Robert Green Ingersoll Birthplace Museum in Dresden, New York, provides a deeper connection to his history and the era in which he lived.

Share your appreciation for Ingersoll on social media using the hashtag #IngersollDay. Discuss his ideas with friends or join a local freethought group to honor his commitment to reason and intellectual freedom. Consider volunteering in your community to promote education and critical thinking, values that Ingersoll championed throughout his life.

• Read one of Ingersoll’s famous lectures, such as "The Gods" or "Why I Am an Agnostic."
• Organize a discussion group focused on freethought and secular humanism.
• Visit the Robert Green Ingersoll Birthplace Museum to learn about his life.
• Donate to organizations that promote science education and secular ethics.
• Write a blog post or social media update about Ingersoll’s impact on modern thought.

Ingersoll Day Dates