World Turtle Day is celebrated on May 23 to honor Turtles and tortoises , resilient animals. Turtles and tortoises are associated with wisdom and perseverance.

• World Turtle Day is an annual event that has been taking place since 2000. It was founded by American Tortoise Rescue.
• Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, founders of ATR and World Turtle Day, advocate humane treatment of all animals, including reptiles. 
• The day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world.