Events

Annually held on January 26, International Customs Day (ICD) recognizes the role of custom officials and agencies in maintaining border security. It focuses on the working conditions and challenges that customs officers face in their jobs.

World Leprosy Day is annually observed around the world on the last Sunday of January. The day was initiated in 1954 by French philanthropist and writer Raoul Follereau, as a way to raise global awareness of this deadly ancient disease and call attention to the fact that it can be prevented, treated, and cured.

World Wetlands Day is annually held on February 2 to celebrate how wetlands, which are lands saturated by water, help maintain biodiversity on Earth.

World Cancer Day is a global observance that helps raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect, or treat it. This event is held on February 4 each year.

Day of the sick is an observation started by Pope John Paul II as a way for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses. The day coincides with the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD) is a global event held annually on March 1. Its purpose is to remove the stigma attached to self-injury and to encourage parents, family members, educators, and healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of self-harm.

Held every year on the second Thursday in March, World Kidney Day is an awareness day that brings global attention to the importance of kidney health. The day aims to highlight the risk factors that can lead to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Earth Hour is an annual environmental campaign that brings attention to the effects of climate change by asking people to switch off lights at homes and businesses for an hour at 8.30 pm (20:30), local time, usually on the last Saturday of March.

When is April Fools' Day, also known as All Fool's Day? This is a day for tricks, pranks, and jokes.

There are many World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day Observances.

April 18 is annually observed as the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS). It aims to bring global attention to the need to conserve monuments and sites as our cultural heritage and to “celebrate the diversity of this heritage”.

World Ovarian Cancer Day (WOCD) is observed on May 8. It aims to create a community where those living with ovarian cancer, survivors and their families and friends can unite, share their experiences and help educate the public about this deadly disease.

International Nurses Day on May 12 honors nurses around the world. Sponsored by the International Council of Nurses, it celebrates the tireless efforts of nurses in maintaining public health.

Friday the 13th is believed to be an unlucky day in many countries, but a lucky one in others. When is the next Friday the 13th?

There are many observances of this day

May 25 is African Liberation Day. On this day, many African countries celebrate the hard-fought achievement of their freedom from European colonial powers.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global campaign that works towards preventing overdose, reducing the stigma associated with it, and providing support to families and loved ones of overdose victims. The unofficial awareness day is observed every year on August 31.

Annually observed on September 4 since 2010, World Sexual Health Day (WSHD) is an awareness day managed by the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), a global advocacy organization committed to promoting best practices in sexual health

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 each year to promote worldwide action to prevent suicides. Various events and activities are held during this occasion to raise awareness that suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death.

Still's disease, a disorder featuring inflammation, is characterized by high spiking fevers, salmon-colored rash that comes and goes, and arthritis. Still's disease is also referred to as systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

September 23 has been celebrated around the world as Bi Visibility Day or International Celebrate Bisexuality Day since 1999. The day aims to provide a platform to the bisexual community and their supporters and to bring global attention to the social, economic and cultural prejudices and challenges faced by bisexual people.

Many people around the world observe World Rabies Day (WRD), which raises awareness about the impact of rabies and how the disease can be prevented. It is held on September 28 each year. is an annual event on April 7 to draw attention to particular priorities in global health.

The World Heart Foundation organizes World Heart Day, an international campaign held on September 29 to inform people about cardiovascular diseases, which are the biggest cause of death. The day promotes preventative measures to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

World Vegetarian Day is celebrated annually on October 1. The day brings global attention to the health and environmental benefits of vegetarianism and focuses on the ethics of following a vegetarian lifestyle.

World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed annually on October 6. Managed by a group of nonprofit Cerebral Palsy (CP) organizations called the World Cerebral Palsy Initiative, the day raises awareness about CP and brings attention to the specific needs of those living with this complex physical condition.

World Sight Day is a global event that focuses on bringing attention on blindness and vision impairment. It is observed on the second Thursday of October each year.

World Stroke Day raises people’s awareness on stroke and what can be done to combat it. It is observed on October 29 each year.

Celebrated every year on November 1, World Vegan Day raises awareness about animal rights and advocates the widespread adoption of a vegan lifestyle. The day was created in 1994 by British animal rights activist, Louise Wallis, as a way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of The Vegan Society in the United Kingdom.

World Pneumonia Day is annually held on November 12 to raise awareness of pneumonia, promote prevention and treatment, and generate action to fight the illness.

World Prematurity Day is observed on November 17 each year. It aims to raise awareness about the issues associated with preterm birth. It also spreads information about how to help and support affected families.