On March 21st, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is celebrated to commemorate the Sharpeville massacre in 1960 in South Africa. During a peaceful protest against apartheid pass laws, South African police gunned down 69 demonstrators. The UN established this day and the annual Week of Solidarity to increase efforts to eliminate racism, xenophobia, and discrimination worldwide. Each year, celebrations focus on a different theme, such as the relationship between racism and sports. The UN Secretary-General stresses that sports can unite people of different backgrounds and inspire millions to support civil rights.

1. 21ST MARCH
Murder in Sharpeville 21/03/1960

2. International Day for the
Elimination of Racial
Discrimination is
celebrated on the day of
the week when the
Sharpeville massacre in
1960 (South Africa) took
place - in a peaceful
demonstration against
the "pass laws" of
apartheid police gunned
down 69 people who
took part in it.

3. The day begins Week of Solidarity with the People
Struggling against Racism and Racial
Discrimination (to 27 March), established by
Resolution 34/24 (1979) of United Nations, as
part of the celebration of the first Decade to
Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination
established in 1973 (1973 - 1982).

4. The festival is to celebrate the memory of the victims of
the Sharpeville massacre and other incidents and an
increase in activity for the elimination of all forms of
racism, xenophobia and discrimination in the world.
In 2001 (31 August-7 September), at the end of World
Conference on Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and related intolerance, the participants
adopted the Declaration of the Durban (South Africa)
and the programme of Action, as a model for
implementing the rules relating equality and combating
discrimination.

5. Each year the celebration takes place at a
different password. The slogan in 2006
was "The fight against racism in everyday
life." In 2010, the keynote of the
celebration was the relationship between
racism and sport. This was particularly
important since South Africa became the
first African country, acted as host World
Cup in football.

6. In his message to the Member States (2010), UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stressed that:
'' Celebration of International Day for the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination should also be an opportunity to
draw attention to the role of sport in uniting people of
different cultures and backgrounds. Sport can add the
strength of civil rights of vulnerable population, to
influence our thinking, and inspire millions of people
around the world.''

7. Students of Szkola Podstawowa no 2
in Mszana Dolna, Poland