1. International Olympic Day: 23 June 2024
Tags: Important Days
International Olympic Day is celebrated annually on June 23.
An Overview of the News
Olympic Day symbolizes the commitment to making the world a better place through the power of sport.
It promotes the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
The day serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sports, inspiring young athletes and celebrating their achievements.
Theme of 2024
The theme for Olympic Day 2024 is 'Let's Move and Celebrate'.
This theme aims to inspire people worldwide to engage in daily physical activity and embrace the joy of movement.
History and Significance
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded on June 23, 1894, at the Sorbonne in Paris, thanks to the efforts of Pierre de Coubertin. This day marks the revival of the Ancient Olympic Games.
International Olympic Day was first celebrated in 1948 with 9 participating countries.
Over time, the celebration has become a global event, with National Olympic Committees organizing creative events based on the three pillars: Move, Learn and Discover.
Global Participation
In 2024, the IOC partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to highlight the positive impact of sports on physical and mental health.
The 'Let's Move' initiative, launched in 2023, led more than 15 million people to embrace the joy of incorporating 30 minutes of daily physical activity into their lives.
2. World Hydrographic Day (WHD) - 21 June
Tags: Important Days
World Hydrographic Day (WHD) is celebrated globally on 21 June each year to raise awareness about hydrography and its importance in understanding seas and oceans.
An Overview of the News
The theme for WHD 2024 is "Hydrographic Information - Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Sustainability in Marine Activities".
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) leads the annual observance of WHD.
Background of WHD
In 2005, the IHO introduced the idea of World Hydrography Day.
On 29 November 2005, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/60/30, which endorsed the establishment of "World Hydrography Day" by the IHO, to be celebrated annually on 21 June.
The first WHD was officially observed on 21 June 2006.
About IHO
Secretary-General:- Dr Mathias Jonas (Germany)
Headquarters:- Monaco
June 2024 Days and Themes
Days | Themes |
21 June - International Yoga Day | "Yoga for Self and Society." |
20 June - World Refugee Day | "Solidarity with Refugees," |
19 June - World Sickle Cell Disease Day | "Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally." |
18 June - International Day for Countering Hate Speech | "The Power of Youth for Countering and Addressing Hate Speech". |
17 June - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought | “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future,” |
14 June - World Blood Donor Day | "20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors!" |
12 June - World Day Against Child Labour | "Let's act on our commitments: End Child Labour." |
9 June - World Accreditation Day | "Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future." |
3. World Music Day - 21 June 2024
Tags: Important Days
World Music Day, also known as Fête de la Musique, is celebrated annually on 21 June.
An Overview of the News
The program emphasizes the impact of music and its ability to connect people universally.
Musicians from different genres come together to showcase their talents in public areas.
World Music Day promotes a vibrant and inclusive environment for people around the world to appreciate music.
Last year's World Music Day was celebrated with the theme "Music at the Intersections."
The theme aims to explore and appreciate music at an intersectional level, highlighting the diverse influences and connections within music.
History of World Music Day:
The concept dates back to 1982, when French Minister of Culture Jacques Lang proposed the idea of a day dedicated to music.
An alternative theory suggests that the festival can be traced back to 1976 when Joel Cohen proposed an all-night concert to celebrate the summer solstice.
The first World Music Day event took place in Paris in 1982, with over 1,000 musicians performing in different parts of the city.
Musicians of all genres and backgrounds took to the streets, parks and concert venues to share their passion for music at the opening ceremony.
4. International Yoga Day - 21 June 2024
Tags: Important Days
International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on 21 June.
An Overview of the News
The day aims to promote the many benefits of practicing yoga.
The date chosen coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
International Yoga Day encourages physical, mental and spiritual harmony.
Yoga promotes meditation, stress reduction, and overall health and vitality.
Theme of 2024:
This year marks the 10th celebration of the International Day of Yoga with the theme "Yoga for Self and Society."
Yoga represents the harmony of mind and body, balancing thought and action, and uniting restraint and fulfillment.
Integrating body, mind, spirit, and soul, yoga offers a holistic approach to health and well-being.
On this special day, we celebrate yoga's transformative power to bring peace to our hectic lives.
History of International Yoga Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of a dedicated Yoga Day in 2014 during his speech at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
On 11 December 2014, all 193 member states of the United Nations unanimously agreed to observe 21 June as the International Day of Yoga.
The inaugural ceremony of International Day of Yoga took place on June 21, 2015.
International Yoga Day has received global recognition and is celebrated in more than 190 countries.
June 2024 Days and Themes
Days | Themes |
20 June - World Refugee Day | "Solidarity with Refugees," |
19 June - World Sickle Cell Disease Day | "Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally." |
18 June - International Day for Countering Hate Speech | "The Power of Youth for Countering and Addressing Hate Speech". |
17 June - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought | “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future,” |
14 June - World Blood Donor Day | "20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors!" |
12 June - World Day Against Child Labour | "Let's act on our commitments: End Child Labour." |
9 June - World Accreditation Day | "Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future." |
5. World Refugee Day - 20 June 2024
Tags: Important Days
World Refugee Day is observed annually on 20 June.
An Overview of the News
World Refugee Day is an internationally recognized day established by the United Nations.
Its purpose is to pay tribute to refugees around the world.
The day serves as a platform to acknowledge the bravery and determination of individuals who have been forced to flee their homeland due to conflict or persecution.
This year's theme, "Solidarity with Refugees," underscores the crucial need to develop inclusive health systems and provide fair healthcare access to refugees globally, as highlighted by WHO.
History of World Refugee Day
It originated with the resolution 55/76 of the United Nations General Assembly passed on 4 December 2000.
The purpose of the resolution is to raise awareness of the growing global refugee population and to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention.
The Refugee Convention of 1951 was established after World War II to establish a legal framework to protect and ensure the rights of refugees.
The convention defined criteria for identifying individuals as refugees, outlined their rights, and defined the responsibilities of states in providing protection and assistance to them.
June 2024 Days and Themes
World Sickle Cell Disease Day - 19 June - Theme - "Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally."
International Day for Countering Hate Speech - 18 June - Theme - "The Power of Youth for Countering and Addressing Hate Speech".
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought - 17 June - Theme - “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future,”
World Blood Donor Day - 14 June - Theme - "20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors!"
World Day Against Child Labour - 12 June - Theme - "Let's act on our commitments: End Child Labour."
World Accreditation Day - 9 June - Theme -"Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future."
6. The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict - 19 June 2024
Tags: Important Days
The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed annually on 19 June to raise global awareness and honor victims and survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV).
An Overview of the News
The 2024 theme is "Attacks against health care in conflict-affected areas: Impacts for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence."
The focus highlights the need for safe healthcare environments, crucial for all conflict-injured individuals, including survivors of sexual violence.
2024 Event
On 19 June 2024, an event was held in New York, USA, co-hosted by the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC), Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG CAAC), and the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the UN.
Background and Significance
Origin: Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in resolution A/RES/69/293 on 19 June 2015.
Resolution 1820 (2008): Adopted by the UN Security Council on 19 June 2008, condemning sexual violence as a tactic of war and an obstacle to peacebuilding.
Addressing Violent Extremism: Resolution S/RES/2331 (2016) recognized sexual violence as a tactic used by terrorist groups, ensuring victims are eligible for official support.
Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV)
Definition: Includes rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced marriage, and trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Underreporting: Fear and cultural stigma lead to significant underreporting; experts estimate that only a fraction of cases are documented compared to actual occurrences.
7. World Sickle Cell Awareness Day - 19 June 2024
Tags: Important Days
World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is observed annually on June 19th to spotlight the impact of sickle cell disease (SCD) globally.
An Overview of the News
It aims to increase understanding and awareness of SCD's effects on individuals, families, and communities worldwide.
Characteristics of Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells, often taking on a crescent or sickle shape.
These irregularly shaped cells can obstruct blood vessels, leading to various health complications such as organ damage, anemia, and heightened susceptibility to infections.
Theme for World Sickle Cell Disease Day 2024
The theme for 2024 is "Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally."
This theme underscores the collective effort to foster awareness, diminish stigma, and promote advancements in care for individuals affected by sickle cell disease worldwide.
Objectives and Impact
The primary goal is to unite voices globally, advocating for improved understanding and support for those living with sickle cell disease.
Efforts focus on driving meaningful changes in healthcare practices and policies to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families affected by this condition.
History of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day:
It originated from a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly on 22 December 2008.
The resolution recognized sickle cell disease as a global health concern.
The disease mainly affects people of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian origin.
8. International Day for Countering Hate Speech - 18 June 2024
Tags: Important Days
The International Day for Countering Hate Speech is observed annually on 18 June.
An Overview of the News
The day serves as a reminder to address the global problem of hate speech.
Hate speech, amplified by communication technologies, contributes to violence, intolerance and fragmentation.
The International Day for Countering Hate Speech stresses the need for concerted efforts.
Its goal is to counter the spread of divisive language and promote mutual understanding, respect and inclusivity.
On June 18, 2024, the world observes the 3rd International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
The theme for the International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2024 focuses on "The Power of Youth for Countering and Addressing Hate Speech".
History of International Day for Countering Hate Speech
The International Day for Countering Hate Speech is a global initiative.
In July 2021, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution stressing the need to combat hate speech.
The resolution recognizes that hate speech is a threat to human rights and social cohesion.
The day is based on the United Nations Strategy and Action Plan on Hate Speech launched on June 18, 2019.
June 2024 Days and Themes
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought - 17 June - Theme - “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future,”
World Blood Donor Day - 14 June - Theme - "20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors!"
World Day Against Child Labour - 12 June - Theme - "Let's act on our commitments: End Child Labour."
World Accreditation Day - 9 June - Theme -"Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future."
World Oceans Day - 8 June - Theme - "Awaken New Depths,".
World Environment Day - 5 June - Theme - "Our Land, Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration"
9. World Father’s Day - Third Sunday of June
Tags: Important Days
Father's Day is a special occasion celebrated in many countries around the world to honor and appreciate fathers. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. This year Father's Day 2024 is being celebrated on 16th June.
An overview of the news
It is an opportunity to strengthen the bond between fathers and their children and to recognize the invaluable role fathers play in their families and society.
The themefor Father's Day 2024 centers around “Honoring Fatherhood: Strength, Love, and Sacrifice”.
Background of the day
The origins of Father's Day can be traced back to the early20th century in the United States.
Sonora Smart Dodd is often credited with the idea of establishing a day to honor fathers, inspired by Mother's Day.
The first official Father's Day was celebrated in 1910 in Spokane, Washington.
Over the years, Father's Day has gained widespread recognition and is celebrated in various countries around the world.
It was officially recognised by the U.S. Congress in 1972.
10. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought - 17 June
Tags: Important Days
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year on 17 June.
An Overview of the News
The day focuses on converting poor land into healthy or fertile soil to combat desertification.
The desertification of land is mainly caused by human activities and climate change.
This is due to dry land ecosystems that are extremely vulnerable to overexploitation and inappropriate use of land.
The day highlights the need for an early measure to avoid any disastrous consequences for humanity and the planetary ecosystem.
Theme of 2024:
This year, the theme of Desertification and Drought Day is “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future,” which focuses on:
The future of land stewardship
Recognizing land as our most precious resource
Ensuring the stability of billions of people globally
Promoting the prosperity of communities worldwide
History and Significance of the day
In December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly resolved to observe 17 June as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
Since then, the United Nations, NGOs and various countries have been organizing events to spread awareness to combat desertification and drought.
The purpose of this day is to convert degraded land into healthy land.
To combat this threat, groups and communities are working together to convert arid, semi-arid and arid wetlands into fertile soils.
