Important Days in March Month:

Zero Discrimination Day: 1st March

• • Celebrated on March 1st, 2023.

• • Theme for this year: “Save lives: Decriminalise.”

• • Launched by UNAIDS and first observed on March 1st, 2014.

World Civil Defence Day: 1st March

 

• • Celebrated annually on March 1st, with the 2023 celebration happening on the same date.

• • The International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) was established in 1958 and later approved its constitution on March 1st, 1972.

World Wildlife Day: 3rd March

 

• • Observed on March 3rd, 2023.

• • Theme for 2023: “Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation.”

• • Focuses on conservation of endangered wild animals and plants.

• • Thailand proposed this day in the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2013.

World Hearing Day: 3rd March

 

• • Celebrated on March 3rd, 2023.

• • Theme for 2023: “Ear and hearing care for all! Let’s make it a reality.”

• • WHO will focus on the importance of safe listening for good hearing across the life course.

National Safety Day: 4th March

 

• • Observed on March 4th, 2023.

• • Marks the 51st National Safety Day in India.

• • Theme for 2023: “Nurture young minds – Develop safety culture.”

International Women’s Day: 8th March

 

• • Celebrated on March 8th, 2023.

• • Theme for 2023: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.”

• • Commemorates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide.

National No Smoking Day: 8th March

 

• • Held every second Wednesday of March, with this year’s observance falling on March 8th, 2023.

• • First observed in 1984 to encourage people to quit smoking.

• • Research shows that at least one in ten people gave up smoking on this day.

International Day of Action for Rivers: 14th March

 

• • Celebrated on March 14th, 2023.

• • Theme for 2023: “Rights of Rivers.”

• • Adopted in March 1997 during the First International Meeting of People Affected by Dams in Curitiba, Brazil.

World Consumer Rights Day: 15th March

 

• • Observed on March 15th, 2023.

• • Theme for 2023: “Fair Digital Finance.”

National Vaccination Day: 16th March

 

• • Celebrated on March 16th, 2023, all over India.

• • Theme for 2023: “Vaccines Work For All.”

• • Observed annually since 1995.

World Sleep Day: 17th March

 

• • Observed on March 17th, 2023.

• • Theme for 2023: “Quality Sleep, Sound Mind, Happy World.”

• • Organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society.

Ordnance Factories Day: 18th March

 

• • Celebrated on March 18th, 2023, all over India.

• • Commemorates the foundation of the first Ordnance Factory in colonial India at Cossipore near Kolkata in 1801.

World Oral Health Day: 20th March

 

• • Observed on March 20th, 2023.

• • Three-year theme (2021-2023): “Be Proud of Your Mouth.”

• • First declared and originally celebrated on September 12, 2007.

International Day of Happiness: 20th March

 

• • Observed on March 20th, 2023.

• • Theme for 2023: “Keep Calm, Stay Wise, Be Kind.”

• • Introduced to the United Nations in 2011 by advisor Jayme Illien.

World Poetry Day: 21st March

 

• • Observed on March 21st, 2023.

• • Proposed and adopted by UNESCO in 1999.

• • First celebrated on March 21st, 2000.

World Down Syndrome Day: 21st March

 

• • Observed on March 21st, 2023.

• • First comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century.

World Forestry Day: 21st March

 

• • Celebrated on March 21st, 2023.

• • Raises awareness about the importance of forests.

• • Designated as “World Forestry Day” by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1971.

World Water Day: 22nd March

 

• • Celebrated on March 22nd, 2023.

• • Highlights the importance of freshwater.

• • Declared World Day for Water in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly.

World Meteorological Day: 23rd March

 

• • Celebrated on March 23rd, annually.

• • Commemorates the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

• • First World Meteorological Day observed on March 23rd, 1961.

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day: 24th March

 

• • Observed on March 24th, 2023.

• • Theme for 2023: “Yes! We can end TB!”

• • Commemorates Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1882.

• • A day to educate the public about the impact of tuberculosis (TB) around the world.

• • Commemorates a century after Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1882.

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery: 25th March

 

• • Celebrated on March 25th, 2023, worldwide.

• • Annual event to remember the tragedy of the slave trade and its victims.

• • Designated by the United Nations in 2007.

• • Honors and remembers those who suffered and died due to the transatlantic slave trade.

Purple Day for Epilepsy: 26th March

 

• • Observed worldwide on March 26th, 2023.

• • Aims to create awareness about epilepsy.

• • Notable historical milestones related to epilepsy:

     

    • • 1067-1046 B.C: Earliest known medical texts on epilepsy.
    • • 460-377 B.C: Hippocrates suggests epilepsy as a treatable brain disease.
    • • Mid-1800s: Bromide introduced as a medication for controlling seizures.
    • • 2017: Anita Kaufmann Foundation sets a Guinness World Record for the largest epilepsy training session.

World Theatre Day: 27th March

 

• • Celebrated on March 27th, 2023, worldwide.

• • Annual international day to recognize the importance of theatre arts.

• • Theme for 2023: “Theatre and a Culture of Peace.”

• • Historical milestones related to theatre:

     

    • • 534 B.C: Thespis performs in Athens, introducing theatre arts.
    • • 55 B.C: Pompey the Great builds the first permanent stone theatre in Rome.
    • • 1585: Inauguration of the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy, considered the world’s oldest theatre.
    • • 1962: First World Theatre Day celebrated by ITI centers, theatre professionals, and enthusiasts.

Important Days in February Month:

Indian Coast Guard Day: 1st February

 

• • Celebrates the establishment of the Indian Coast Guard on 1st February 1977.

• • The Indian Coast Guard is a multi-mission organization that conducts round-the-year real-life operations at sea.

• • In 2023, the Indian Coast Guard celebrates its 45th Raising Day.

World Wetlands Day: 2nd February

 

• • Aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet.

• • Theme for 2023: “It’s Time for Wetlands Restoration,” highlighting the urgent need for wetland restoration.

• • Marks the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran.

World Cancer Day: 4th February

 

• • Aims to raise awareness of cancer and encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

• • Multi-year theme for 2022-2024: ‘Close the Care Gap.’

International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation: 6th February

 

• • Aims to raise awareness and promote the abandonment of female genital mutilation/cutting.

• • The Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting was initiated by UNFPA and UNICEF in 2007.

International Development Week: 6th – 12th February

 

• • Theme for 2022: ‘Go for the Goals,’ referring to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

• • Aims to draw attention to international development and highlight the contributions of Canadians through global partnerships.

World Pulses Day: 10th February

 

• • Recognizes pulses as a global food and raises awareness of their nutritional and environmental benefits.

• • Established by the UN General Assembly in 2019, following the International Year of Pulses (IYP) in 2016.

National Productivity Day: 12th February

 

• • Theme for 2023: “A chance to set goals.”

• • Celebrates the anniversary of the establishment of the National Productivity Council in 1958.

World Radio Day: 13th February

 

• • Celebrates radio broadcasts and promotes international cooperation among radio broadcasters.

• • Theme for 2022: “Yes to Radio, Yes to Trust.”

• • Proclaimed by UNESCO in 2011 to commemorate the creation of the United Nations international broadcasting service on February 13, 1946.

World Day of Social Justice: 20th February

 

• • Aims to promote social justice and tackle issues like poverty, exclusion, and unemployment.

• • Encourages countries to work together to achieve fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, and social dialogue.

World Day of Social Justice: 20th February

 

• • Observed annually to encourage people to think about how social justice affects poverty eradication.

• • Theme for 2022: “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice.”

• • Established by the United Nations on November 26, 2007.

• • The International Labour Organization (ILO) is credited with proposing the observance of this day.

World Scout Day: 22nd February

 

• • Celebrated every year on February 22nd to honor the anniversary of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of scouting.

World Thinking Day: 22nd February

 

• • Observed on February 22nd annually.

• • Theme for 2023: “Our World, Our Thriving Future: The Environment and Global Poverty.”

Central Excise Day: 24th February

 

• • Celebrated every year on February 24th to honor the service of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) to India.

• • The Central Excise Department was established in 1855 under British rule.

World NGO Day: 27th February

 

• • Observed annually on February 27th to recognize non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

• • Founded in 2009 by Marcis Liors Skadmanis, a social entrepreneur.

• • First observed on February 27, 2014.

National Science Day: 28th February

 

• • Celebrated every year in India to mark the discovery of the Raman effect.

• • Theme for 2023: “Global Science for Global Wellbeing.”

Rare Disease Day: 28th February

 

• • Observed on February 28th in 2023.

• • Theme for 2023: “Share Your Colors.”

• • Founded by the European Organization for Rare Diseases and first celebrated in 2008 on February 29th, a rare date that happens once every four years.