History of Administrative Professionals Day in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 9, 2024

Administrative Professionals Day is an annual observance in a few countries, honoring the contributions of administrative support professionals such as secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and client service representatives. It is not a public holiday anywhere. In some countries, it is part of Administrative Professionals Week. Common ways to celebrate include giving cards, flowers, chocolates, and lunches to administrative professionals.

1942: National Secretaries Association Founded

The National Secretaries Association was founded in 1942 in response to a shortage of skilled administrative personnel during World War II. The organization aimed to recognize the contributions of administrative personnel, support their professional development, and attract more workers to the field.

1952: National Secretaries Week Proclaimed

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Charles W. Sawyer proclaimed the first "National Secretaries Week" in 1952, to be held June 1-7, with June 4th designated as National Secretaries Day. The National Secretaries Association sponsored the first Secretaries' Day with support from corporations.

1955: Observance Date Changed, Name Changed to Administrative Professionals Day

In 1955, National Secretaries Week was moved to the last full week of April, and Wednesday was designated as Administrative Professionals Day. This change also helped space out bookings at restaurants and other venues where administrative professionals were celebrated.

1981: National Secretaries Association Renamed

The National Secretaries Association was renamed Professional Secretaries International in 1981.

1981: Name Changed to Professional Secretaries Week

The name of the week-long observance was changed to Professional Secretaries Week in 1981.

1998: Professional Secretaries International Renamed

Professional Secretaries International was renamed to the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) in 1998. IAAP also registered Administrative Professionals Day as a trademark in the same year.

2000: Name Changed to Administrative Professionals Week

The name was changed again in 2000 to Administrative Professionals Week to recognize the expanding responsibilities and diverse job titles of administrative support staff.