Commemorative Days (May-Aug)
Commemorative Days
Commemorative Days are used by various
governments, groups and organizations to raise
awareness of an issue, commemorate a group
or event, or celebrate something.
Some of the international days are observed by
the United Nations.
World Laughter Day
First Sunday of May every year
Commemorative
Days
World Laughter Day takes place on the first Sunday of May of every year . World Laughter Day was
created in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. Dr. Kataria,
a family doctor in India, was inspired to start the Laughter Yoga movement in part by the facial
feedback hypothesis, which postulates that a person's facial expressions can have an effect on their
emotions. The celebration of World Laughter Day is a positive manifestation for world peace and is
intended to build up a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter. It is most
often celebrated by gatherings of people in public places with the sole purpose of laughing.
International Workers' Day
May 1
Commemorative
Days
International Workers' Day, also known as Labour Day in some places, is a celebration of labourers and
the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement, anarchists, socialists, and
communists and occurs every year on May Day, 1 May, an ancient European spring holiday. This day
has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which
advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
World Press Freedom Day
May 3
Commemorative
Days
The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day
or just World Press Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press
and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to
freedom of expression.
International Nurses Day
May 12
Commemorative
Days
International Nurses Day (IND) is celebrated around the world on 12 May of each
year, to mark the contributions nurses make to society.
International Day of Families
May 15
Commemorative
Days
May 15 is the International Day of Families, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly
in 1993. The day reflects the importance the international community attaches
to families.
International Day for
Biological Diversity
May 22
Commemorative
Days
The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is a United Nations–sanctioned
international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. It is currently held on May 22. In this larger
initiative of international cooperation, the topic of biodiversity concerns stakeholders in sustainable
agriculture; desertification, land degradation and drought; water and sanitation; health and sustainable
development; energy; science, technology and innovation, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building; urban
resilience and adaptation; sustainable transport; climate change and disaster risk reduction; oceans and
seas; forests; vulnerable groups including indigenous peoples; and food security.
World Turtle Day
May 23
Commemorative
Days
The purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American
Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for,
turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.
Commonwealth Day
Second Monday in March
Commemorative
Days
Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations held on the second
Monday in March, and marked by a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey, normally attended by
Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth, with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and
Commonwealth High Commissioners in London. The Queen delivers an address to the
Commonwealth, broadcast throughout the world.
World Multiple Sclerosis Day
Last Wednesday of May
Commemorative
Days
World Multiple Sclerosis Day is officially marked on the last Wednesday of May every year,
though events and campaigns take place throughout the month of May. It brings the global
MS community together to share stories, raise awareness and campaign with and for
everyone affected by multiple sclerosis.
International Missing
Children's Day
May 25
Commemorative
Days
International Missing Children's Day is celebrated on May 25. International Centre for Missing &
Exploited Children (ICMEC) coordinates the Help Bring Them Home Campaign in 22 countries, in
conjunction with International Missing Children’s Day, to spotlight the issue of child abduction around
the world, and to suggest to parents some steps they can take to protect their children.
World No Tobacco Day
May 31
Commemorative
Days
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on May 31. It is intended to
encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the globe.
The day is further intended to draw attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to
negative health effects, which currently lead to nearly 6 million deaths each year worldwide, including
600,000 of which are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.
World Environment Day
June 5
Commemorative
Days
World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated every year on 5 June to raise global
awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet
Earth. It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
World Oceans Day
June 8
Commemorative
Days
World Oceans Day is an annual observation to honour the world's oceans, celebrate the products the
ocean provides such as seafood as well as marine life itself for aquariums, pets, and a time to
appreciate its own intrinsic value. The ocean also provides sea-lanes for international trade. Global
pollution and over-consumption of fish have resulted in drastically dwindling population of the
majority of species. World Oceans Day also provides a unique opportunity to take personal and
community action to conserve the ocean and its resources.
World Blood Donors Day
June 14
Commemorative
Days
Every year on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day
(WBDD). The event, established in 2004, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe
blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of
blood. World Blood Donor Day is one of eight official global public health campaigns
marked by the World Health Organization (WHO).
World Refugee Day
June 20
Commemorative
Days
World Refugee Day, international observance observed June 20th each year, is
dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world.
Father’s Day
June 21
Commemorative
Days
Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood,
paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.
International Yoga Day
June 21
Commemorative
Days
International Yoga Day, or simply Yoga Day, is celebrated annually on June 21 and was
declared to be internationally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
on December 11, 2014. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice or discipline that
originated in India.
International Day against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
June 26
Commemorative
Days
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a United Nations
International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. It is observed annually on
26 June, since 1988, a date chosen to commemorate Lin Zexu's dismantling of the opium
trade in Humen, Guangdong, just before the First Opium War in China. The observance was
instituted by General Assembly Resolution.
World UFO Day
July 2
Commemorative
Days
World UFO Day is an awareness day for people to gather together and watch the skies for
unidentified flying objects. The day is celebrated by some on June 24. June 24 is the date
that aviator Kenneth Arnold reported what is generally considered to be the first
unidentified flying object sighting in the United States.
World Population Day
July 11
Commemorative
Days
World Population day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks
to raise awareness of global population issues. The event was established by the
Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989. It was
inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987-approximately the
date on which the world's population reached five billion people.
International Tiger Day
July 29
Commemorative
Days
Global Tiger Day, often called International Tiger Day, is an annual celebration to raise
awareness for tiger conservation, held annually on 29 July. It was created in 2010 at the
Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit. The goal of the day is to promote a global system for
protecting the natural habitats of tigers and to raise public awareness and support for tiger
conservation issues.
Friendship Day
First Sunday of August
Commemorative
Days
Friendship Day is a day for celebrating friendship. Initially created by the greeting card
industry, evidence from social networking sites shows a revival of interest in the holiday
that may have grown with the spread of the Internet. Digital communication modes such as
the Internet and mobile phones may be helping to popularize the custom, since greeting
friends en masse is now easier than before. The exchange of Friendship Day gifts like
flowers, cards and wrist bands is a popular tradition of this occasion.
International Youth Day
August 12
Commemorative
Days
International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations. The
purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues
surrounding youth. It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw
attention to youth issues worldwide.
International Lefthanders Day
August 13
Commemorative
Days
August 13 is designated International lefthanders Day by lefthanders International. It was
first observed on the 13th of August, in the year 1976. It is meant to promote awareness of
the inconveniences faced by left-handers in a predominantly right-handed world. It
celebrates their uniqueness and differences, who are from seven to ten percent of the
world's population. There’s also a more serious side to the day, which spreads awareness
about the special needs of left-handed kids.
World Mosquito Day
August 20
Commemorative
Days
World Mosquito Day, observed annually on 20 August, is a commemoration of Indian
doctor Sir Ronald Ross's discovery in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria
between humans. Ross is responsible for the annual observance, having declared shortly
after his discovery that the day should be known as World Mosquito Day in the future.
Women's Equality Day
August 26
Commemorative
Days
Women's Equality Day is a day proclaimed each year by the United States President to
commemorate the granting of the vote to women throughout the country. Women in the
United States were granted the right to vote without the compulsory requirement to
submit to conscription on August 26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the United
States Constitution was certified as law.
This presentation is a result of my experiences while I was
helping out my son with his school assignments and project
work. I am happy to share this with other students and their
parents. Hope you find this informative and useful. Thank you.
- Prashant Mahajan -
All pictures belong to their original authors, photographers.

Commemorative Days (May - August)

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Commemorative Days Commemorative Daysare used by various governments, groups and organizations to raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate something. Some of the international days are observed by the United Nations.
  • 3.
    World Laughter Day FirstSunday of May every year Commemorative Days World Laughter Day takes place on the first Sunday of May of every year . World Laughter Day was created in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. Dr. Kataria, a family doctor in India, was inspired to start the Laughter Yoga movement in part by the facial feedback hypothesis, which postulates that a person's facial expressions can have an effect on their emotions. The celebration of World Laughter Day is a positive manifestation for world peace and is intended to build up a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter. It is most often celebrated by gatherings of people in public places with the sole purpose of laughing.
  • 4.
    International Workers' Day May1 Commemorative Days International Workers' Day, also known as Labour Day in some places, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement, anarchists, socialists, and communists and occurs every year on May Day, 1 May, an ancient European spring holiday. This day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
  • 5.
    World Press FreedomDay May 3 Commemorative Days The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day or just World Press Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.
  • 6.
    International Nurses Day May12 Commemorative Days International Nurses Day (IND) is celebrated around the world on 12 May of each year, to mark the contributions nurses make to society.
  • 7.
    International Day ofFamilies May 15 Commemorative Days May 15 is the International Day of Families, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993. The day reflects the importance the international community attaches to families.
  • 8.
    International Day for BiologicalDiversity May 22 Commemorative Days The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is a United Nations–sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. It is currently held on May 22. In this larger initiative of international cooperation, the topic of biodiversity concerns stakeholders in sustainable agriculture; desertification, land degradation and drought; water and sanitation; health and sustainable development; energy; science, technology and innovation, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building; urban resilience and adaptation; sustainable transport; climate change and disaster risk reduction; oceans and seas; forests; vulnerable groups including indigenous peoples; and food security.
  • 9.
    World Turtle Day May23 Commemorative Days The purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.
  • 10.
    Commonwealth Day Second Mondayin March Commemorative Days Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations held on the second Monday in March, and marked by a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey, normally attended by Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth, with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Commonwealth High Commissioners in London. The Queen delivers an address to the Commonwealth, broadcast throughout the world.
  • 11.
    World Multiple SclerosisDay Last Wednesday of May Commemorative Days World Multiple Sclerosis Day is officially marked on the last Wednesday of May every year, though events and campaigns take place throughout the month of May. It brings the global MS community together to share stories, raise awareness and campaign with and for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis.
  • 12.
    International Missing Children's Day May25 Commemorative Days International Missing Children's Day is celebrated on May 25. International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) coordinates the Help Bring Them Home Campaign in 22 countries, in conjunction with International Missing Children’s Day, to spotlight the issue of child abduction around the world, and to suggest to parents some steps they can take to protect their children.
  • 13.
    World No TobaccoDay May 31 Commemorative Days World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on May 31. It is intended to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the globe. The day is further intended to draw attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects, which currently lead to nearly 6 million deaths each year worldwide, including 600,000 of which are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.
  • 14.
    World Environment Day June5 Commemorative Days World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated every year on 5 June to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
  • 15.
    World Oceans Day June8 Commemorative Days World Oceans Day is an annual observation to honour the world's oceans, celebrate the products the ocean provides such as seafood as well as marine life itself for aquariums, pets, and a time to appreciate its own intrinsic value. The ocean also provides sea-lanes for international trade. Global pollution and over-consumption of fish have resulted in drastically dwindling population of the majority of species. World Oceans Day also provides a unique opportunity to take personal and community action to conserve the ocean and its resources.
  • 16.
    World Blood DonorsDay June 14 Commemorative Days Every year on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The event, established in 2004, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood. World Blood Donor Day is one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • 17.
    World Refugee Day June20 Commemorative Days World Refugee Day, international observance observed June 20th each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world.
  • 18.
    Father’s Day June 21 Commemorative Days Father'sDay is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.
  • 19.
    International Yoga Day June21 Commemorative Days International Yoga Day, or simply Yoga Day, is celebrated annually on June 21 and was declared to be internationally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 11, 2014. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice or discipline that originated in India.
  • 20.
    International Day againstDrug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking June 26 Commemorative Days The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a United Nations International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. It is observed annually on 26 June, since 1988, a date chosen to commemorate Lin Zexu's dismantling of the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong, just before the First Opium War in China. The observance was instituted by General Assembly Resolution.
  • 21.
    World UFO Day July2 Commemorative Days World UFO Day is an awareness day for people to gather together and watch the skies for unidentified flying objects. The day is celebrated by some on June 24. June 24 is the date that aviator Kenneth Arnold reported what is generally considered to be the first unidentified flying object sighting in the United States.
  • 22.
    World Population Day July11 Commemorative Days World Population day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The event was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987-approximately the date on which the world's population reached five billion people.
  • 23.
    International Tiger Day July29 Commemorative Days Global Tiger Day, often called International Tiger Day, is an annual celebration to raise awareness for tiger conservation, held annually on 29 July. It was created in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit. The goal of the day is to promote a global system for protecting the natural habitats of tigers and to raise public awareness and support for tiger conservation issues.
  • 24.
    Friendship Day First Sundayof August Commemorative Days Friendship Day is a day for celebrating friendship. Initially created by the greeting card industry, evidence from social networking sites shows a revival of interest in the holiday that may have grown with the spread of the Internet. Digital communication modes such as the Internet and mobile phones may be helping to popularize the custom, since greeting friends en masse is now easier than before. The exchange of Friendship Day gifts like flowers, cards and wrist bands is a popular tradition of this occasion.
  • 25.
    International Youth Day August12 Commemorative Days International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide.
  • 26.
    International Lefthanders Day August13 Commemorative Days August 13 is designated International lefthanders Day by lefthanders International. It was first observed on the 13th of August, in the year 1976. It is meant to promote awareness of the inconveniences faced by left-handers in a predominantly right-handed world. It celebrates their uniqueness and differences, who are from seven to ten percent of the world's population. There’s also a more serious side to the day, which spreads awareness about the special needs of left-handed kids.
  • 27.
    World Mosquito Day August20 Commemorative Days World Mosquito Day, observed annually on 20 August, is a commemoration of Indian doctor Sir Ronald Ross's discovery in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans. Ross is responsible for the annual observance, having declared shortly after his discovery that the day should be known as World Mosquito Day in the future.
  • 28.
    Women's Equality Day August26 Commemorative Days Women's Equality Day is a day proclaimed each year by the United States President to commemorate the granting of the vote to women throughout the country. Women in the United States were granted the right to vote without the compulsory requirement to submit to conscription on August 26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was certified as law.
  • 29.
    This presentation isa result of my experiences while I was helping out my son with his school assignments and project work. I am happy to share this with other students and their parents. Hope you find this informative and useful. Thank you. - Prashant Mahajan - All pictures belong to their original authors, photographers.