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Global Observances Calendar

International Days and Global Observances Calendar

Browse every international day, world day and global observance set by the United Nations, UNESCO, WHO and other bodies, from awareness days to week-long campaigns, in calendar order. Each observance gets its own article on what it marks, where it came from and why it matters.

  • 313observances
  • 12months
  • 25articles published

UN days are proclaimed by the General Assembly. UN agency days are led by bodies such as UNESCO, WHO or FAO. Awareness and other days are run by campaign groups or international organizations. For the full calendar with notes on movable dates, see the International Days Calendar.

Most widely observed international days

The days that draw the most attention worldwide. The UN lists International Women's Day, World Water Day and the International Day of Peace among its most popular observances.

  • Mar 8International Women's Day
  • Mar 22World Water Day
  • Apr 7World Health Day
  • Aug 12International Youth Day
  • Sep 21International Day of Peace
  • Oct 10World Mental Health Day
  • Oct 16World Food Day
  • Dec 10Human Rights Day
  • Jan 24International Day of Education
  • Jun 5World Environment Day

International weeks

Week-long global observances, in calendar order.

  • Feb 1–7World Interfaith Harmony Week
  • Mar 21–27Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination
  • Apr 24–30World Immunization Week
  • May 25–31Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
  • Aug 1–7World Breastfeeding Week
  • Oct 4–10World Space Week
  • Oct 20–26International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action
  • Oct 24–30Disarmament Week
  • Oct 24–31Global Media and Information Literacy Week
  • Nov 9–15International Week of Science and Peace
  • Nov 18–24World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week

Latest articles

See all International Days articles

313 of 313 observances shown

International Days in January

12 observances
  1. Jan 4 World Braille Day UN Article coming
  2. Jan 14 World Logic Day UN agency Article coming
  3. Jan 24 International Day of Education UN Article coming
  4. Jan 24 World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture UN agency Article coming
  5. Jan 25 International Day of Women in Multilateralism UN agency Article coming
  6. Jan 26 International Day of Clean Energy UN Article coming
  7. Jan 26 International Customs Day Other body Article coming
  8. Jan 27 International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust UN Article coming
  9. Jan 28 International Day of Peaceful Coexistence (first observed 2026) UN Article coming
  10. Jan 28 Data Protection Day (Data Privacy Day) Other body Article coming
  11. Jan 30 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day UN agency Article coming
  12. Last Sunday of January World Leprosy Day UN agency Article coming

International Days in February

17 observances
  1. Feb 1–7 World Interfaith Harmony Week UN Article coming
  2. Feb 2 World Wetlands Day UN Article coming
  3. Feb 4 International Day of Human Fraternity UN Article coming
  4. Feb 4 World Cancer Day Other body Article coming
  5. Feb 6 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation UN Article coming
  6. Feb 10 World Pulses Day UN Article coming
  7. Feb 10 International Day of the Arabian Leopard UN Article coming
  8. Feb 11 International Day of Women and Girls in Science UN Article coming
  9. Feb 12 International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism UN Article coming
  10. Feb 12 International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers (Red Hand Day) UN Article coming
  11. Feb 13 World Radio Day UN Article coming
  12. Feb 15 International Childhood Cancer Day Awareness Article coming
  13. Feb 17 Global Tourism Resilience Day UN Article coming
  14. Feb 20 World Day of Social Justice UN Article coming
  15. Feb 21 International Mother Language Day UN Article coming
  16. Feb 27 World NGO Day Awareness Article coming
  17. Last day of February (Feb 29 in leap years) Rare Disease Day Awareness Article coming

International Days in March

30 observances
  1. Mar 1 Zero Discrimination Day UN agency Article coming
  2. Mar 1 World Seagrass Day UN Article coming
  3. Mar 3 World Wildlife Day UN Article coming
  4. Mar 3 World Hearing Day UN agency Article coming
  5. Mar 4 World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development UN agency Article coming
  6. Mar 4 World Obesity Day Awareness Article coming
  7. Mar 5 International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness UN Article coming
  8. Mar 8 International Women's Day UN Article coming
  9. Mar 10 International Day of Women Judges UN Article coming
  10. Mar 14 International Day of Mathematics (Pi Day) UN agency Article coming
  11. Mar 15 International Day to Combat Islamophobia UN Article coming
  12. Mar 15 World Consumer Rights Day Awareness Article coming
  13. Mar 19 International Day for Digital Learning UN agency Article coming
  14. Mar 20 International Day of Happiness UN Article coming
  15. Mar 20 French Language Day (also marked as International Francophonie Day) UN Article coming
  16. Mar 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination UN Article coming
  17. Mar 21 World Day for Glaciers UN Article coming
  18. Mar 21 International Day of Nowruz UN Article coming
  19. Mar 21 International Day of Forests UN Article coming
  20. Mar 21 World Poetry Day UN agency Article coming
  21. Mar 21 World Down Syndrome Day UN Article coming
  22. Mar 21–27 Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination UN Article coming
  23. Mar 22 World Water Day UN Read the article
  24. Mar 23 World Meteorological Day UN agency Article coming
  25. Mar 24 World Tuberculosis Day UN agency Article coming
  26. Mar 24 International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims UN Article coming
  27. Mar 25 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade UN Article coming
  28. Mar 25 International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members UN Article coming
  29. Mar 27 World Theatre Day UN agency Article coming
  30. Mar 30 International Day of Zero Waste UN Article coming

International Days in April

30 observances
  1. Apr 2 World Autism Awareness Day UN Article coming
  2. Apr 4 International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action UN Article coming
  3. Apr 5 International Day of Conscience UN Article coming
  4. Apr 6 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace UN Article coming
  5. Apr 7 International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda UN Article coming
  6. Apr 7 World Health Day UN agency Article coming
  7. Apr 11 World Parkinson's Day Awareness Article coming
  8. Apr 12 International Day of Human Space Flight UN Article coming
  9. Apr 14 World Chagas Disease Day UN agency Article coming
  10. Apr 15 World Art Day UN agency Article coming
  11. Apr 15 International Wellness Day UN Article coming
  12. Apr 17 World Haemophilia Day Awareness Article coming
  13. Apr 18 International Day for Monuments and Sites (World Heritage Day) UN agency Article coming
  14. Apr 20 Chinese Language Day UN Article coming
  15. Apr 21 World Creativity and Innovation Day UN Article coming
  16. Apr 22 International Mother Earth Day (Earth Day) UN Article coming
  17. Apr 22 International Day of Greening the Planet UN Article coming
  18. Apr 23 World Book and Copyright Day UN agency Article coming
  19. Apr 23 English Language Day UN Article coming
  20. Apr 23 Spanish Language Day UN Article coming
  21. Apr 24 International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace UN Article coming
  22. Apr 24–30 World Immunization Week UN agency Article coming
  23. Apr 25 World Malaria Day UN agency Article coming
  24. Apr 25 International Delegate's Day UN Article coming
  25. Apr 26 International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day UN Article coming
  26. Apr 26 World Intellectual Property Day UN agency Article coming
  27. Apr 28 World Day for Safety and Health at Work UN agency Article coming
  28. Apr 29 International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes UN Article coming
  29. Apr 29 International Dance Day UN agency Article coming
  30. Apr 30 International Jazz Day UN agency Article coming

International Days in May

34 observances
  1. May 1 International Workers' Day (Labour Day) Other body Article coming
  2. May 2 World Tuna Day UN Article coming
  3. May 3 World Press Freedom Day UN Article coming
  4. May 5 World Portuguese Language Day UN agency Article coming
  5. May 5 African World Heritage Day UN agency Article coming
  6. May 5 World Hand Hygiene Day UN agency Article coming
  7. May 5 International Day of the Midwife Awareness Article coming
  8. May 8 Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War UN Article coming
  9. May 8 World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day UN agency Article coming
  10. May 8 World Thalassaemia Day Awareness Article coming
  11. May 10 International Day of Argania UN Article coming
  12. May 12 International Day of Plant Health UN Article coming
  13. May 12 International Nurses Day Awareness Article coming
  14. May 15 International Day of Families UN Article coming
  15. May 16 International Day of Living Together in Peace UN Article coming
  16. May 16 International Day of Light UN agency Article coming
  17. May 17 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day UN agency Article coming
  18. May 17 International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia Awareness Article coming
  19. May 17 World Hypertension Day Awareness Article coming
  20. May 18 International Museum Day UN agency Article coming
  21. May 20 World Bee Day UN Article coming
  22. May 20 World Metrology Day Awareness Article coming
  23. May 21 International Tea Day UN Article coming
  24. May 21 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development UN Article coming
  25. May 22 International Day for Biological Diversity UN Article coming
  26. May 23 International Day to End Obstetric Fistula UN Article coming
  27. May 24 International Day of the Markhor UN Article coming
  28. May 25 World Football Day UN Article coming
  29. May 25 Africa Day Other body Article coming
  30. May 25–31 Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories UN Article coming
  31. May 28 Menstrual Hygiene Day Awareness Article coming
  32. May 29 International Day of UN Peacekeepers UN Article coming
  33. May 30 International Day of Potato UN Article coming
  34. May 31 World No Tobacco Day UN agency Article coming

International Days in June

38 observances
  1. Jun 1 Global Day of Parents UN Article coming
  2. Jun 1 World Milk Day UN agency Article coming
  3. Jun 3 World Bicycle Day UN Article coming
  4. Jun 4 International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression UN Article coming
  5. Jun 5 World Environment Day UN agency Article coming
  6. Jun 5 International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing UN Article coming
  7. Jun 6 Russian Language Day UN Article coming
  8. Jun 7 World Food Safety Day UN Article coming
  9. Jun 8 World Oceans Day UN Article coming
  10. Jun 10 International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations UN Article coming
  11. Jun 11 International Day of Play UN Article coming
  12. Jun 12 World Day Against Child Labour UN agency Article coming
  13. Jun 13 International Albinism Awareness Day UN Article coming
  14. Jun 14 World Blood Donor Day UN agency Article coming
  15. Jun 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day UN Article coming
  16. Jun 16 International Day of Family Remittances UN Article coming
  17. Jun 16 Day of the African Child Other body Article coming
  18. Jun 17 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought UN Article coming
  19. Jun 18 Sustainable Gastronomy Day UN Article coming
  20. Jun 18 International Day for Countering Hate Speech UN Article coming
  21. Jun 19 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict UN Article coming
  22. Jun 19 World Sickle Cell Day UN Article coming
  23. Jun 20 World Refugee Day UN Article coming
  24. Jun 21 International Day of Yoga UN Article coming
  25. Jun 21 International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice UN Article coming
  26. Jun 21 World Music Day (Fête de la Musique) Awareness Article coming
  27. Jun 23 United Nations Public Service Day UN Article coming
  28. Jun 23 International Widows' Day UN Article coming
  29. Jun 23 Olympic Day Other body Article coming
  30. Jun 24 International Day of Women in Diplomacy UN Article coming
  31. Jun 25 Day of the Seafarer UN agency Article coming
  32. Jun 26 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking UN Article coming
  33. Jun 26 United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture UN Article coming
  34. Jun 27 Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day UN Article coming
  35. Jun 27 International Day of Deafblindness UN Article coming
  36. Jun 29 International Day of the Tropics UN Article coming
  37. Jun 30 International Asteroid Day UN Article coming
  38. Jun 30 International Day of Parliamentarism UN Article coming

International Days in July

19 observances
  1. First Saturday of July International Day of Cooperatives UN Article coming
  2. Jul 6 World Rural Development Day UN Article coming
  3. Jul 7 World Kiswahili Language Day UN Article coming
  4. Jul 11 International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica UN Article coming
  5. Jul 11 World Population Day UN Article coming
  6. Jul 12 International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms UN Article coming
  7. Jul 15 World Youth Skills Day UN Article coming
  8. Jul 17 World Day for International Justice Awareness Article coming
  9. Jul 18 Nelson Mandela International Day UN Article coming
  10. Jul 20 World Chess Day UN Article coming
  11. Jul 20 International Moon Day UN Article coming
  12. Jul 25 International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent UN Article coming
  13. Jul 25 World Drowning Prevention Day UN Article coming
  14. Jul 25 International Day for Judicial Well-being UN Article coming
  15. Jul 26 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem UN agency Article coming
  16. Jul 28 World Hepatitis Day UN agency Article coming
  17. Jul 29 International Tiger Day Awareness Article coming
  18. Jul 30 International Day of Friendship UN Article coming
  19. Jul 30 World Day against Trafficking in Persons UN Article coming

International Days in August

15 observances
  1. Aug 1–7 World Breastfeeding Week UN agency Article coming
  2. Aug 6 International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries UN Article coming
  3. Aug 9 International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples UN Article coming
  4. Aug 11 World Steelpan Day UN Article coming
  5. Aug 12 International Youth Day UN Article coming
  6. Aug 19 World Humanitarian Day UN Article coming
  7. Aug 21 International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism UN Article coming
  8. Aug 21 International Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage UN agency Article coming
  9. Aug 22 International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief UN Article coming
  10. Aug 23 International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition UN agency Article coming
  11. Aug 29 International Day against Nuclear Tests UN Article coming
  12. Aug 30 International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances UN Article coming
  13. Aug 31 International Day for People of African Descent UN Article coming
  14. Aug 31 International Overdose Awareness Day Awareness Article coming
  15. Aug 31 International Day of Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (first observance 2027) UN Article coming

International Days in September

30 observances
  1. Sep 5 International Day of Charity UN Article coming
  2. Sep 5 International Day of the World's Indigenous Women and Girls UN Article coming
  3. Sep 7 International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies UN Article coming
  4. Sep 7 International Day of Police Cooperation UN Article coming
  5. Sep 7 World Duchenne Awareness Day UN Article coming
  6. Sep 8 International Literacy Day UN agency Article coming
  7. Sep 9 International Day to Protect Education from Attack UN Article coming
  8. Sep 10 World Suicide Prevention Day Awareness Article coming
  9. Sep 12 United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation UN Article coming
  10. Sep 13 International Day for Caves and Karst UN agency Article coming
  11. Sep 15 International Day of Democracy UN Article coming
  12. Sep 16 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer UN Article coming
  13. Sep 16 International Day for Interventional Cardiology UN Article coming
  14. Sep 16 International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South UN Article coming
  15. Sep 17 World Patient Safety Day UN agency Article coming
  16. Sep 18 International Equal Pay Day UN Article coming
  17. Sep 20 World Cleanup Day UN Article coming
  18. Sep 20 International Day of University Sport UN agency Article coming
  19. Sep 21 International Day of Peace UN Article coming
  20. Sep 21 World Alzheimer's Day Awareness Article coming
  21. Sep 23 International Day of Sign Languages UN Article coming
  22. Sep 25 World Pharmacists Day Awareness Article coming
  23. Sep 25 World Lung Day Awareness Article coming
  24. Sep 26 International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons UN Article coming
  25. Sep 27 World Tourism Day UN agency Article coming
  26. Sep 28 International Day for Universal Access to Information UN Article coming
  27. Sep 28 World Rabies Day UN agency Article coming
  28. Sep 29 International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste UN Article coming
  29. Sep 29 World Heart Day Awareness Article coming
  30. Sep 30 International Translation Day UN Article coming

International Days in October

31 observances
  1. Oct 1 International Day of Older Persons UN Article coming
  2. Oct 1 International Coffee Day UN Article coming
  3. Oct 2 International Day of Non-Violence UN Article coming
  4. Oct 4 World Animal Day Awareness Article coming
  5. Oct 4–10 World Space Week UN Article coming
  6. Oct 5 World Teachers' Day UN agency Article coming
  7. Oct 6 International Geodiversity Day UN agency Article coming
  8. Oct 7 World Cotton Day UN agency Article coming
  9. Oct 9 World Post Day UN agency Article coming
  10. Oct 10 World Mental Health Day UN agency Article coming
  11. Oct 11 International Day of the Girl Child UN Article coming
  12. Oct 13 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction UN Article coming
  13. Oct 14 World Standards Day Other body Article coming
  14. Oct 15 International Day of Rural Women UN Article coming
  15. Oct 15 Global Handwashing Day Awareness Article coming
  16. Oct 16 World Food Day UN agency Article coming
  17. Oct 17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty UN Article coming
  18. Oct 17 International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage UN agency Article coming
  19. Oct 20 World Statistics Day (observed every five years: 2010, 2015, 2020, 2025) UN Article coming
  20. Oct 20–26 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action UN agency Article coming
  21. Oct 23 International Day of the Snow Leopard UN Article coming
  22. Oct 24 United Nations Day UN Article coming
  23. Oct 24 World Development Information Day UN Article coming
  24. Oct 24 World Polio Day Awareness Article coming
  25. Oct 24–30 Disarmament Week UN Article coming
  26. Oct 24–31 Global Media and Information Literacy Week UN Article coming
  27. Oct 27 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage UN agency Article coming
  28. Oct 29 International Day of Care and Support UN Article coming
  29. Oct 29 World Coding Day UN agency Article coming
  30. Oct 29 World Stroke Day Awareness Article coming
  31. Oct 31 World Cities Day UN Article coming

International Days in November

32 observances
  1. Nov 2 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists UN Read the article
  2. Nov 3 International Day for Biosphere Reserves UN agency Read the article
  3. Nov 5 World Tsunami Awareness Day UN Read the article
  4. Nov 5 World Day of Romani Language UN agency Read the article
  5. Nov 6 International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict UN Read the article
  6. Nov 9–15 International Week of Science and Peace UN Article coming
  7. Nov 10 World Science Day for Peace and Development UN agency Article coming
  8. Nov 12 World Pneumonia Day Awareness Article coming
  9. Nov 13 World Kindness Day Awareness Article coming
  10. Nov 14 World Diabetes Day UN Article coming
  11. Nov 14 International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property UN agency Article coming
  12. Nov 15 International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime UN Article coming
  13. Nov 15 World Prematurity Day (moved from November 17) UN agency Article coming
  14. Nov 16 International Day for Tolerance UN agency Read the article
  15. Nov 16 International Day of the Mediterranean Diet UN Read the article
  16. Nov 17 World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day UN agency Read the article
  17. Nov 18 World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence UN Read the article
  18. Nov 18 International Day of Islamic Art UN agency Read the article
  19. Nov 18–24 World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week UN agency Read the article
  20. Nov 19 World Toilet Day UN Read the article
  21. Nov 19 International Men's Day Awareness Read the article
  22. Nov 20 Africa Industrialization Day UN Read the article
  23. Nov 20 World Children's Day UN Read the article
  24. Nov 21 World Television Day UN Read the article
  25. Nov 24 World Conjoined Twins Day UN Read the article
  26. Nov 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women UN Read the article
  27. Nov 26 World Sustainable Transport Day UN Read the article
  28. Nov 26 World Olive Tree Day UN agency Read the article
  29. Nov 27 International Day of Engagement in Science for Sustainable Development UN agency Read the article
  30. Nov 27 International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage UN Read the article
  31. Nov 29 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People UN Read the article
  32. Nov 30 Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare UN Read the article

International Days in December

25 observances
  1. Dec 1 World AIDS Day UN agency Article coming
  2. Dec 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery UN Article coming
  3. Dec 2 World Futures Day UN agency Article coming
  4. Dec 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities UN Article coming
  5. Dec 4 International Day of Banks UN Article coming
  6. Dec 4 International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures UN Article coming
  7. Dec 5 International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development UN Article coming
  8. Dec 5 World Soil Day UN Article coming
  9. Dec 7 International Civil Aviation Day UN agency Article coming
  10. Dec 9 International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime UN Article coming
  11. Dec 9 International Anti-Corruption Day UN Article coming
  12. Dec 10 Human Rights Day UN Article coming
  13. Dec 11 International Mountain Day UN Article coming
  14. Dec 12 International Day of Neutrality UN Article coming
  15. Dec 12 International Universal Health Coverage Day UN Article coming
  16. Dec 14 International Day against Colonialism in All its Forms and Manifestations UN Article coming
  17. Dec 15 World Turkic Language Family Day UN agency Article coming
  18. Dec 18 International Migrants Day UN Article coming
  19. Dec 18 Arabic Language Day UN Article coming
  20. Dec 19 International Day of Recognition for Women Searchers of Missing Persons UN Article coming
  21. Dec 20 International Human Solidarity Day UN Article coming
  22. Dec 21 World Meditation Day UN Article coming
  23. Dec 21 World Basketball Day UN Article coming
  24. Dec 24 International Anti-Cybercrime Day UN Article coming
  25. Dec 27 International Day of Epidemic Preparedness UN Article coming

Questions about international days

What are international days?

International days are dates set aside by the United Nations, UN agencies such as UNESCO and WHO, or other international bodies to draw attention to an issue, such as peace, health, education or the environment.

What is the difference between an international day, week and year?

A day marks a single date, such as World Water Day on March 22. A week runs for several days, such as World Immunization Week in late April. The UN also proclaims international years that cover a full calendar year.

Who decides which days are observed?

UN days are proclaimed by the General Assembly. Agency days are set by bodies such as UNESCO or WHO. Many awareness days are run by campaign groups and have no official UN status, so this page labels who leads each one.

Do international days fall on the same date every year?

Most do. A few move, such as those held on the last Sunday of January or the first Saturday of July, so check the current date with the UN, UNESCO or WHO before planning an event.

Dates for movable observances change each year. Confirm the current date with the UN, UNESCO or WHO calendar before planning an event.