International Rock Day was celebrated on July 13, 2026, giving people a chance to appreciate both literal geological formations and the many famous "rocks" across pop culture. For science enthusiasts, the day honored the stones, minerals, and fossils that have shaped human tools, shelter, and history since the Stone Age.
However, the internet quickly turned the day into a giant meme. Fans celebrated fictional rocks, stone-powered characters, and pop culture icons, seamlessly blending science with cartoons, anime, and comics.
Western picks included SpongeBob’s pet "Rocky," Avatar's earthbending wrestler "The Boulder," Marvel's "The Thing," and Pokémon's Geodude and Onix. Anime fans also chimed in, highlighting the massive boulder Tanjiro had to slice in Demon Slayer, One Piece's legendary pirate Rocks D. Xebec, Dr. STONE's Senku, and Naruto's beloved ninja Rock Lee.