By Jean M. Wenger – IALL Treasurer
Happy New Year!
Felice Anno Nuovo!
Frohes neues Jahr!
Xīn Nián Kuài Lè!
Selamat Tahun Baru!
Mutlu yıllar!
Godt nytt år!
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
Chestita Nova Godina!
Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Duit!
Bonne Année
2025 brings a new year of international days and observances. Some observances are widely known, such as World Aids Day (1 December) and International Mother Earth Day (22 April). However, others are less well known, like International Asteroid Day (30 June) and World Bee Day (20 May). What is the origin of these observances, and who designates them? What is their purpose?
A few international days were recognized as early as the late 1800s (International Worker’s Day) and early 1900s (International Women’s Day). However, in the mid-twentieth century, the United Nations (UN) started regularly designating special observances. The first annual recognition by the UN was United Nations Day (24 October) in 1947. One of the most recent is the International Day of the Markhor (24 May) in 2024. To date, there are over 200 recognized observances. The UN provides a List of International Days and Weeks, with some calendar dates hosting more than one celebration. In addition to days, the UN recognizes international years, international decades, and anniversaries. For example, 2025 is the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
How are these observances selected? UN Member States propose an international day to the General Assembly as a resolution. The General Assembly then decides whether to adopt the resolution establishing the particular observance. The resolution’s text generally explains why recognizing a specific day is essential. See A/Res/74/5 for International Day for Universal Access to Information (28 September) and A/Res/77/158 for the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
International observances can be powerful advocacy tools. The UN promotes global awareness and action on topics or themes that emphasize the UN’s main areas of work, such as peace, development, human rights, justice, and humanitarian action, by creating special observances. They also celebrate human achievements, such as the International Day of Rural Women (15 October), or serve as days of remembrance, such as the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members (25 March). The purpose is education, with the goal of people and institutions taking action.
Most international observances have a dedicated page on the UN website that provides background and information. Resources may include reports, links to UN documents, or a photo album. For example, see International Day of Happiness (20 March).
UN specialized agencies can also designate special days related to their competency area. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) gives special attention to the days and weeks that WHO Member States have mandated as “official” global health observances. UNESCO designates international commemorations, including International Day to Protect Education from Attack (9 September) and World Philosophy Day each year, on the third Thursday in November. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) identifies international days related to civil aviation.
Other international organizations and institutions recognize special days. The Council of Europe provides a Human Rights Calendar comprising days designated by the UN and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The European Union, through the Diplomatic Service of the European Union, identifies international days as opportunities to celebrate and raise awareness and action on issues important to communities and individuals worldwide.
Libraries can participate in sharing the message of international observances by highlighting resources that explain their significance. We can spread the word and raise awareness about crucial issues affecting humanity’s shared mission of peace, human rights, and sustainable development.
Peace to you and yours in 2025.
This Blog contains entries by members of the International Association of Law Libraries on issues germane to the Association’s areas of focus. Views expressed in an individual entry only represent the views of the author, and not those of the International Association of Law Libraries or the author’s employer.