History of World Special Days, List of important Dates & International Days

There are popular days which have their specific importance and are observed globally as World Special Days or International Days, although the date of these days are not fixed, but the day is fixed to organize a special awareness campaign for the sake of the humanity.

World Important Days and Dates

 History of World Special Days, List of important Dates & International Days

The list of World International Days is designated on specific dates by various organizations such as the United Nations, which are celebrated each year as an occasion to mark a particular event or theme. Here is a brief history of some special world days observed around the globally as world important days for awareness.

• World Leprosy Day - Last Sunday of January
• World Marriage day - 2^nd Sunday of Feb
• World Kidney Day - 2^nd Thursday in March
• No smoking Day - 2^nd Wednesday in March
• Prevention of blindness week - 1^st to 7^th April
• World Asthma Day - 1^st Tuesday of May
• World Laughter Day - 1^st Sunday of May
• Father’s Day - 3^rd Sunday in June
• International Friendship Day - 1^st Sunday of August
• Breastfeeding week - 1 to 7^th August
• World River’s Day - 4^th Sunday of September
• World sight day - 2^nd Thursday of October
• World Habitat Day - 1^st Monday of October.

History of World Leprosy Day (Last Sunday of January)

World Leprosy Day is observed around the world every year on the last Sunday of January. This day was chosen by the French humanitarian Raoul Follereau as a tribute to the life of Indian freedom fighter - Mahatma Gandhi, who felt compassion for people with leprosy. The day began to be observed in 1954 to raise awareness of this ancient and deadly disease and to draw attention to the fact that it can be prevented, treated and cured. Leprosy is one of the oldest registered diseases in the world.

 

History of World Marriage day - 2^nd Sunday of Feb

World Marriage Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of February each year to honors and provide the visible sign of support needed to maintain love in daily life of couples and the long-standing commitment of husband and wife. It is a celebration sponsored by the American organization, Worldwide Marriage Encounter, associated with the Catholic Marriage Encounter movement.

Pope Saint John Paul II, in 1993, granted his apostolic blessing on the occasion of World Marriage Day.

 

History of World Kidney Day - 2^nd Thursday in March

World Kidney Day is being observed on second Thursday of March each year since 2006. The aim is to raise awareness on healthiness of kidney, ways to prevent kidney problems, methods of treatments and the importance of kidneys in our overall health.

At the start of the World Kidney Day, 66 countries were participated initially and within two years, the number had risen to 88. This day is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

 

History of No smoking Day - 2^nd Wednesday in March

No Smoking Day is observed on second Wednesday of March every year as an annual health awareness day aiming to help smokers who want to quit smoking. It was first observed in UK on first Wednesday of March in 1984 and now takes place on the second Wednesday in March every year.

For observing the day, every year the campaign is promoted with a theme in the form of a short phrase.  

 

History of Prevention of blindness week - 1^st to 7^th April

Blindness Prevention Week is observed in first week of April from date 1 to 7. It was first started in 1960, under the Companies Registration Act of 1860, by Jawaharlal Nehru and Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur.

The National Society for the Prevention of Blindness (NSPB) was founded in 1960 as completely voluntary organization that receives funds through contributions and donations. In 2020, the Indian government partnered with the global initiative under Vision ‘The Right to Sight', launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and Death.

 

History of World Asthma Day - 1^st Tuesday of May

World Asthma Day is observed all over the world on 1^st Tuesday of May every year and was founded in 1993 by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in collaboration with the World Health Organization. It was first observed in 1998 in more than 35 countries. The first World Asthma Meeting held in Barcelona, Spain in 1998 and decided to observe this day with awareness campaign theme every year on prevention and treatment of Asthma.

 

History of World Laughter Day - 1^st Sunday of May

World Laughter Day is observed every year on first Sunday of May to recognize the power of happiness, a positive and powerful emotion that has all the necessary ingredients for people to change themselves and the world in a peaceful and positive way. This day was first observed on May 10, 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of the global Laughter Yoga movement, by organizing the moment in Mumbai on importance and recognition of a person's facial expressions can influence his emotions. Now this day is observed all over the world and there are thousands of laughter clubs in over 105 countries.

 

History of Father’s Day - 3^rd Sunday in June

Father's Day is observed all over the world on third Sunday of June every year and was founded in the United States by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910. Father's Day is a holiday that honors fatherhood and paternal ties, as well as the influence of fathers in society.

The day takes place on different dates around the world and different regions maintain their own traditions of honoring fatherhood.

 

History of International Friendship Day - 1^st Sunday of August

Friendship Day celebrated on different dates in different countries. In 1958 at Paraguay, the first World Friendship Day was proposed for July 30 by the World Friendship Crusade as the "International Day of Friendship". On April 27, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 30 to be the official Day of International Friendship. However, some countries, such as India celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August every year.

The fact is, Friendship Day was promoted by the National Greeting Card Association in the 1920s, but encountered resistance from consumers, as it was too blatantly a commercial gimmick to promote greeting cards.

 

History of Breastfeeding week - 1 to 7^th August

World Breastfeeding Week is observed all over the world in first week of August from date 1 to 7 every year and was first celebrated in 1992 by WABA. This week is  now observed globally in more than 120 countries by UNICEF, WHO and their partners, including individuals, organizations and governments.

In 1990, WHO and the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) under the formal declaration on the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding, describes the benefits and importance of breastfeeding, sets the goals of breastfeeding, and provides methods for achieving those goals.

 

History of World River’s Day - 4^th Sunday of September

World River’s Day is observed all over the world on fourth Sunday or Last Sunday of September every year to raise awareness on importance water resources for sustainability. Mark Angelo had founded BC Rivers Day successfully led in western Canada since 1980 and UN agencies considered a Day event World of Rivers as a good option for the Decade goals of Water, Source of Life and the proposal was approved In 2005, this was to help raise awareness of the need to take better care of our water resources.

In 2005, This first event was a great success and Rivers Day was celebrated in several numbers of countries. Since then, the event has continued to grow.

 

History of World sight day - 2^nd Thursday of October

World Sight Day is observed every year on second Thursday of October globally to raise awareness and for providing support to help prevent preventable blindness and restore sight to people. It was originally started by the Lions Clubs International Foundation's in 2000 and now is coordinated by the IAPB in cooperation with the World Health Organization. Under this day campaign, least 30 million people improved or restored their vision.

 

History of World Habitat Day - 1^st Monday of October

World Habitat Day is observed every year on first Monday of October all over the world since 1986 aiming to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of human habitat (city, town and all residency). The United Nations designated the first Monday in October of each year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of human residency and on everyone's fundamental right to adequate housing. This Day was first celebrated in 1986 with the theme “Shelter is my right” and Nairobi was the host city.

 

List of World Important Days and Dates

Here is the list of international days and important Dates month wise

 

World Special Days | International Day in January

World Special Days - January	Date	Month
World Braille Day	4	January
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day	11	January
World Logic Day	14	January
World Religion Day	17	January
International Day of Education	24	January
World Day for African and Afro descendant Culture	24	January
International Holocaust Day	27	January
World Leprosy Eradication Day	30	January

 

World Special Days | International Day in February

World Important Days - February	Date	Month
World Interfaith Harmony Week	1	February
World Wetlands Day	2	February
World Cancer Day	4	February
International Day of Human Fraternity	4	February
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation	6	February
World Pulses Day	10	February
International Day of Women and Girls in Science	11	February
World Radio Day	13	February
World Day of Social Justice	20	February
International Mother Language Day	21	February
World Peace and Understanding Day	23	February

 

World Special Days | International Day in March

World International Day - March	Date	Month
Zero Discrimination Day	1	March
World Wildlife Day	3	March
World Day of the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation	4	March
World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development	4	March
International Women’s Day	8	March
International Day of Women Judges	10	March
International Day of Action for Rivers	14	March
International Day of Mathematics	14	March
World Consumer Rights Day	15	March
International Day of Happiness	20	March
International Francophonie Day	20	March
French Language Day	20	March
World Sparrow Day	20	March
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination	21	March
World Poetry Day	21	March
International Day of Nowruz	21	March
World Down Syndrome Day	21	March
International Day of Forests	21	March
World Water Day	22	March
World Meteorological Day	23	March
World Tuberculosis Day	24	March
International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims	24	March
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade	25	March
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members	25	March

 

World Special Days | International Day in April

World International Days in April	Date	Month
World Autism Awareness Day	2	April
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action	4	April
International Day of Conscience	5	April
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace	6	April
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda	7	April
World Health Day	7	April
International Day of Human Space Flight	12	April
World Chagas Disease Day	14	April
World Art Day	15	April
World Hemophilia Day	17	April
World Heritage Day	18	April
Chinese Language Day	20	April
World Creativity and Innovation Day	21	April
International Mother Earth Day	22	April
World Book and Copyright Day	23	April
English Language Day	23	April
Spanish Language Day	23	April
International Girls in ICT Day	23	April
International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace	24	April
International Delegate’s Day	25	April
World Malaria Day	25	April
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day	26	April
World Intellectual Property Day	26	April
World Day for Safety and Health at Work	28	April
International Jazz Day	30	April

 

World Special Days | International Day in May

World important Day in May	Date	Month
Labour Day	1	May
World Tuna Day	2	May
World Press Freedom Day	3	May
World Asthma Day	5	May
African World Heritage Day	5	May
World Portuguese Language Day	5	May
“Vesak”, the Day of the Full Moon	7	May
World Red Cross Day	8	May
World Migratory Bird Day	8	May
Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War	8	May
International Day of Argania	10	May
International Day of Families	15	May
International Astronomy Day	15	May
International Day of Living Together in Peace	16	May
International Day of Light	16	May
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day	17	May
International Museum Day	18	May
World Bee Day	20	May
World Metrology Day	20	May
International Tea Day	21	May
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development	21	May
International Day for Biological Diversity	22	May
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula	23	May
Commonwealth Day	24	May
International Day of Action for Women’s Health	28	May
International Day of UN Peacekeepers	29	May
International Mount Everest Day	29	May
World No-Tobacco Day	31	May

 

World Special Days | International Day in June

World Special International Days in June	Date	Month
Global Day of Parents	1	June
World Bicycle Day	3	June
International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression	4	June
World Environment Day	5	June
International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing	5	June
Russian Language Day	6	June
World Food Safety Day	7	June
World Oceans Day	8	June
World Day Against Child Labour	12	June
International Albinism Awareness Day	13	June
World Blood Donor Day	14	June
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day	15	June
International Day of Family Remittances	16	June
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought	17	June
Sustainable Gastronomy Day	18	June
International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict	19	June
World Sickle Cell Day	19	June
World Refugee Day	20	June
International Day of Yoga	21	June
International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice	21	June
World Music Day	21	June
United Nations Public Service Day	23	June
International Widows’ Day	23	June
International Olympic Day	23	June
Day of the Seafarer	25	June
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking	26	June
United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture	26	June
Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day	27	June
International Day of the Tropics	29	June
International Asteroid Day	30	June
International Day of Parliamentarism	30	June

 

World Special Days | International Day in July

Important World International Day in July	Date	Month
World UFO Day	2	July
World Sports Journalists Day	2	July
International Day of Cooperatives	3	July
World Population Day	11	July
World Youth Skills Day	15	July
World Day for International Justice	17	July
Nelson Mandela International Day	18	July
World Chess Day	20	July
World Drowning Prevention Day	25	July
International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem	26	July
World Hepatitis Day	28	July
World Nature Conservation Day	28	July
International Tiger Day	29	July
International Day of Friendship	30	July
World Day against Trafficking in Persons	30	July

 

World Special Days | International Day in August

World important Days in August	Date	Month
World Breastfeeding Week	1	August
Hiroshima Day	6	August
Nagasaki Day	9	August
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples	9	August
International Youth Day	12	August
World Humanitarian Day	19	August
World Mosquito Day	20	August
International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism	21	August
World Senior Citizen Day	21	August
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief	22	August
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition	23	August
International Day against Nuclear Tests	29	August
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances	30	August

 

World Special Days | International Day in September

World important Days in September	Date	Month
World Coconut Day	2	September
International Day of Charity	5	September
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies	7	September
International Literacy Day	8	September
International Day to Protect Education from Attack	9	September
United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation	12	September
International Day of Democracy	15	September
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer	16	September
World Patient Safety Day	17	September
International Equal Pay Day	18	September
International Talk Like a Pirate Day	19	September
International Day of University Sport	20	September
International Day of Peace	21	September
World Alzheimer’s Day	21	September
Biosphere Day	21	September
World Rhino Day	22	September
International Day of Sign Languages	23	September
World Maritime Day	24	September
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons	26	September
World Tourism Day	27	September
International Day for Universal Access to Information	28	September
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste	29	September
International Translation Day	30	September
International Blasphemy Rights Day	30	September

 

World Special Days | International Day in October

World important Days in  October	Date	Month
International Day of Older Persons	1	October
International Day of Non-Violence	2	October
World Animal Welfare Day	4	October
World Habitat Day	4	October
World Space Week	4	October
World Teachers’ Day	5	October
World Post Day	9	October
World Migratory Bird Day	9	October
World Mental Health Day	10	October
World Migratory Bird Day	10	October
International Day of the Girl Child	11	October
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction	13	October
International Day of Rural Women	15	October
World Food Day	16	October
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty	17	October
World Statistics Day	20	October
International Day of the Air Traffic Controller	20	October
United Nations Day	24	October
World Development Information Day	24	October
World Polio Day	24	October
World Day for Audiovisual Heritage	27	October
World Thrift Day	30	October
World Cities Day	31	October

 

World Special Days | International Day in November

World International Day in November	Date	Month
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists	2	November
World Tsunami Awareness Day	5	November
World Day of Romani Language	5	November
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict	6	November
World Science Day for Peace and Development	10	November
World Immunization Day	10	November
World Pneumonia Day	12	November
World Kindness Day	13	November
World Diabetes Day	14	November
International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property	14	November
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims	15	November
International Day for Tolerance	16	November
International Students Day	17	November
International Day of Islamic Art	18	November
World Toilet Day	19	November
World Philosophy Day	19	November
International Men’s Day	19	November
Africa Industrialization Day	20	November
World Children’s Day	20	November
Transgender Day of Remembrance	20	November
World Fisheries Day	21	November
World Television Day	21	November
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women	25	November
World Olive Tree Day	26	November
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People	29	November
Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare	30	November

 

World Special Days | International Day in December

World special days in December	Date	Month
World AIDS Day	1	December
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery	2	December
International Day of Persons with Disabilities	3	December
International Day of Banks	4	December
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development	5	December
World Soil Day	5	December
International Civil Aviation Day	7	December
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime	9	December
International Anti-Corruption Day	9	December
Human Rights Day	10	December
International Animal Rights Day	10	December
International Mountain Day	11	December
International Day of Neutrality	12	December
International Universal Health Coverage Day	12	December
International Migrants Day	18	December
World Arabic Language Day	18	December
International Human Solidarity Day	20	December
International Day of Epidemic Preparedness	27	December

 

This World Important Days List is very useful for contests and you can plan your annual activities by refereeing this important world international days and dates.

You may find affiliate links in this article. This means that if you click on a link and purchase any of the products on this page, we may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you, It does not affect our knowledge sharing, opinions or reviews. Everything we do is benefit for you as the reader, so all our knowledge sharing, reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.