world international days list
International observance, also known as an international dedication or an international anniversary, is a period of time to observe some issue of international interest or concern. This is used to commemorate, promote and mobilize for action. Many of these periods have been established by the United Nations General Assembly (UN), Economic and Social Council, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO) and other United Nations bodies including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In this case, the lead agency for a particular international observance uses the symbolism of the United Nations (UN), perhaps a specially designed logo for the year, and the UN infrastructure to coordinate events worldwide. It also presents a written report about the event. This summarizes the activities that took place around the world under the auspices of the international observance, and makes recommendations for the future.
Below is a list of days that have been recognized as international observances by the United Nations, or by some other organizations that declare international observances but are not as widely recognized.
Days | Name |
January | |
January 1 | New Year’s Day |
January 31 | Street Children’s Day |
February | |
February 2 | World Wetlands Day |
February 4 | World Cancer Day |
February 11 | World Day of the Sick |
February 13 | World Radio |
February 14 | World Valentine Day |
February 20 | World Day of Social Justice |
February 21 | International Mother Language Day |
March | |
March 1 | World Civil Defence Day |
March 8 | International Women’s Day |
March 20 | World Oral Health Day |
March 20 | International Day of Happiness |
March 21 | World Poetry Day |
March 21 | International Day of Forests |
March 22 | World Water Day |
March 24 | World Tuberculosis Day |
March 27 | World Theatre Day |
April | |
April 1 | World April Fools’ Day |
April 2 | International Children’s Book Day |
April 7 | World Health Day |
April 22 | International Mother Earth Day |
April 23 | World Book and Copyright Day |
April 25 | World Malaria Day |
May | |
May 3 | World Press Freedom Day |
May 12 | International Nurses Day |
May 15 | International Day of Families |
May 17 | World Telecommunication and Information Society Day |
May 17 | International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia |
May 18 | World AIDS Vaccine Day |
May 18 | International Museum Day |
May 31 | World No-Tobacco Day |
June | |
June 1 | Global Day of Parents & International Children’s Day |
June 14 | World Blood Donor Day |
June 23 | International Widow’s Day |