Following is the cumulative list of some of the important science-related days celebrated by the national and the international communities every year.
#1. National Youth Day (NYD)
12th January (India)
Why we celebrate ?
We celebrate this day to honour Swami Vivekananda’s contributions to the country.
The government of India declared his birthday as National Youth Day in 1984.
#2. World Leprosy Day
30th January (India) / Last Sunday of January (Rest World)
Why we celebrate ?
As tribute to Mahatma Gandhi (on his death anniversary). French humanitarian Raoul Follereau deided to celebrate this day as tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, who helped people affected with leprosy.
In India we celebrate it on January 30th; In the world , it is on the last Sunday of January.
#3. National Science Day
28th February (India)
Why we celebrate ?
In the memory of the discovery of ‘Raman effect by India’s great scientist, C.V. Raman.
Sir Chandrashekhar Venkat Raman declared his discovery on 28, 1928. He was awarded Nobel prize for this in 1930.
#4. International Women’s Day
8th March
Why we celebrate ?
We celebrate it to
- Celebrate Women’s achievements
- raise awareness about women’s equality
- lobby for accelerated gender parity
Purple, green and white are the colors of International Women’s day.
The history of Women’s day is very long (more than 100 years old). First gathering was held in 1911.
#5. Measles (Khasra) Immunization Day
16th March
Why we celebrate ?
To raise awareness about this deadly disease and the role of measles vaccine to fight the disease.
There is no specific treatment as of now but vaccine is available.
Read more about it on government of India website
#6. World Meteorological Day
23th March
Why we celebrate ?
To commemorates the coming into force on 23 March 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization.
The themes chosen for World Meteorological Day reflect topical weather, climate or water-related issues.
Read more about it on website
#7. World Health Day
7th April
Why we celebrate ?
It is a global health awareness day celebrated every year under sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as other related organizations.
The first World Health assembly in 1948 decided to celebrate it on every year from 1950.
Read more about it on government of India website
#8. Earth Day
22th April
Why we celebrate ?
To demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.
In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed to honor the Earth on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.
Watch the video of first world earth day celebration in 1970 website
#9. Technology Day
11th May (India)
Why we celebrate ?
To mark the anniversary of Pokhran nuclear test carried in 1998 and India’s technological advancement.
The test was led by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared India a nuclear state, making it the sixth country to join the ‘nuclear club’ of nations.
#10. World Telecommunication & Information Society Day (WTISD)
17th May
Why we celebrate ?
To raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.
Since, 1969, we celebrate this day to mark the founding of ITU (17 May 1865).
Read more about it on : website
#11. World No-Tobacco Day
31st May
Why we celebrate ?
to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.
WHO passed resolution in 1987 of calling 7 April 1988 to be a “a world no-smoking day.” In 1988, another resolution was called to celebrate this day every year.
Read more about it on government of India website
#12. World Environment Day
5th June
Why we celebrate ?
to raise awareness on environmental issues emerging from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime.
It was established in 1972 by the UN in the Stockholm Conference. It has been a flagship campaign started by UN and was first held in 1974.
Read more about it on government of India website
#13.International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
26th June
Why we celebrate ?
as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in December 1987.
Read more about it on: website
#14. World Population Day
11th July
Why we celebrate ?
to raise awareness among people about the impact of a growing population and issues including gender equality, the importance of family planning, poverty, maternal health, human rights, etc.
In 1989, World Population Day was established by the Governing Council of the United National Development Programme as an outgrowth of the interest generated by the Day of Five Billion, which was observed on 11 July, 1987.
Read more: website
#15. International Youth Day
12th August
Why we celebrate ?
Because it gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.
In 1999, the UNGA endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.
Read more: website
#16. International Literacy Day
8th September
Why we celebrate ?
To raise awareness and concern for literacy problems that exist within our own local communities as well as globally.
It was founded by UNESCO, in 1966 “to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights.
#17. World Ozone Day
16th September
Why we celebrate ?
to spread awareness among people about the depletion of the Ozone Layer and search possible solutions to preserve it.
The day reminds about the signing of the Montreal Protocol (16 September, 1987) on substances that depletes the Ozone Layer.UNGA in its resolution 49/114 in 1987 chooses this day.
Reference : Link
#18. International Day for Older persons
1st October
Why we celebrate ?
To raise awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse. It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.
The UNGA this day on December 14, 1990. Prior to that – the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing and the World Assembly on Ageing. lead to this day for the elderly people.
Reference link
#19. World’s childern’s day
20th November
Why we celebrate ?
to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.
This is an important date as on this day in 1959, UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
#20. International Day for Disaster Reduction
13th October
Why we celebrate ?
the day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction began in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.
Reference link
#21. World Food Day
16th October
Why we celebrate ?
To commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945.
Read more : Link
#22. International Science Day OR World Science Day for Peace and Development
10th November
Why we celebrate ?
It highlights the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives.
At the World Conference on Science in Budapest, Hungary, in July 1999, the delegations of Ethiopia, Malawi and British Association for the Advancement of Science, proposed this day to be celebrated.
#23. World AIDS Day
1st December
Why we celebrate ?
to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease.
World AIDS Day was first conceived in August 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
#24. National Pollution Prevention Day
2nd December (India)
Why we celebrate ?
To create awareness on pollution and industrial disasters, find ways to spread awareness on preventing such tragedies from occurring again.
India celebrates National Pollution Control Day to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the horrific Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984.
Source : Link
#25. National Energy Conservation Day
14th December
Why we celebrate ?
National Energy Conservation Day is organized in India to create awareness among the public about the importance of saving and conserving energy. Also, it is also informed that how people can use the energy for its better use in the future.
The day is organized by the Energy Efficiency Bureau (BEE), a subordinate Ministry of Power (India). It aims to showcase India’s achievements in energy efficiency and conservation.
Source of Information : Link
It is true that there are hundreds of such events being celebrated every year. The celebration of these days is important to keep the nature safe, communities together and move forward scientifically.