Overview

• Fans worldwide marked the band’s 15th anniversary by flooding social media with tributes under hashtags like #OneDirectionDay and #15YearsOf1D.
• This year’s celebration is the first since Liam Payne’s death in October 2024, prompting both sorrowful remembrances and celebratory reflections on his contributions.
• Supporters shared playlists, video edits and personal anecdotes to honor the band’s five albums and milestone hits such as “What Makes You Beautiful.”
• July 23 commemorates the date in 2010 when Simon Cowell formed the group on The X Factor UK by grouping five solo contestants into a band.
• Although One Direction has been on hiatus since 2016 and member Zayn Malik departed in 2015, the group’s influence endures through fan-driven events and cultural tributes.