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One Tree Hill fans, mark your calendars; another One Tree Hill Day will arrive on Sept. 23. This year, the cast has something special planned. But how, exactly, did we end up with a day dedicated to an early 2000s teen drama? The CW show may be nearing its 20th anniversary, but One Tree Hill Day celebrations only began a few years ago. Here’s what the day is all about and how the stars will celebrate in September 2021.

One Tree Hill cast at FYE in 2004
James Lafferty, Hilarie Burton Morgan, Tyler Hilton, Bethany Joy Lenz, Sophia Bush, and Chad Michael Murray | Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

‘One Tree Hill’ premiered on Sept. 23, 2003

One Tree Hill Day marks the anniversary of the series’ season 1 premiere. The show touched the hearts of many viewers even years after its completion, so it only makes sense to commemorate its beginning.

One Tree Hill followed a group of high school teens as they navigated relationships, their rocky home lives, and more in the fictional Tree Hill, North Carolina. Ultimately, the series saw a close friendship form between the main characters: Nathan Scott (James Lafferty), Haley James (Bethany Joy Lenz), Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray), Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush), Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton Morgan), Antwon “Skills” Taylor (Antwon Tanner), and Mouth McFadden (Lee Norris).

After the characters graduated high school, One Tree Hill jumped four years ahead to follow their lives post-college. They worked toward their dreams and found themselves as they raised a new generation of Tree Hill residents.

Looking back, some fans might find One Tree Hill went a little too heavy on the drama and unrealistic scenarios at times. However, the series also offered some relevant perspectives on love and finding your purpose; perspectives that many fans still find valuable to this day.

The cast celebrated ‘One Tree Hill Day’ on social media in 2016

The first mentions of One Tree Hill Day arrived in 2016 when the show reached its 13th anniversary. As Hollywood Life reported, the cast took to social media to share throwback photos and memories from their days on set.

“What can I say other than Happy #OTHDay :) Thnku all for years of love & dedication,” Murray wrote on Twitter. “Lucas would be humbled.”

“Happy #othday to the most amazing supportive community of fans I’ve ever come across,” Tyler Hilton, who played Tree Hill musician Chris Keller, wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for always reaching out, saying hi when I came through town, and accepting me so warmly into the OTH family for so many years now!”

Two years later, the cast celebrated the 15th anniversary by raising money to support Hurricane Florence relief, according to Entertainment Tonight. Wilmington, North Carolina, where One Tree Hill was filmed for nine years, experienced devastation during the hurricane.

“One of the most beautiful places you’ll ever journey to is Wilmington, NC. It and the surrounding areas are about to be under siege by hurricane Florence,” Murray posted on Instagram. “I called this place home for years, and it always will be in some capacity. It carries the finest ppl you’ll meet, and the little city has captured the heart of Millions.”

Bethany Joy Lenz, Sophia Bush, and Hilarie Burton Morgan will host a live event in 2021

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In 2021, One Tree Hill turns 18 years old. On Sept. 23, Burton, Morgan, and Lenz will celebrate with a live version of their One Tree Hill rewatch podcast, Drama Queens. Fans can purchase tickets to the live stream via Looped Live. The party will benefit the Kind Campaign, an organization that raises awareness of “girl-against-girl bullying.”

One Tree Hill Day is still a few weeks away, but eager fans can celebrate early by rewatching the series on Hulu.

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