May Day (International Labour Day)

♦ May Day (International Labour Day) is observed every year on May 1 to remember the struggles and sacrifices of the workers and labour movements.

♦ In 1889, a lot of socialist parties in Europe came together and decided to celebrate May 1 as International Labour Day. Since then, the special day has been observed every year on the same day.

♦ It was first celebrated in India in 1909, when the Comrade Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar, the founder of the first trade union, arranged two meetings to celebrate the day. 

International Jazz Day

♦ International Jazz Day is observed every year on April 30. The UNESCO General Conference proclaimed April 30 as International Jazz Day in November 2011.

♦ This day was established to draw attention to the role of jazz in promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity. 

Ayushman Bharat Diwas

♦ Ayushman Bharat Diwas (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana - PM-JAY Divas) is celebrated every year on April 30.

♦ The day aims to spread awareness about the scheme and its benefits. PM-JAY was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.

International Dance Day

♦ International Dance Day is celebrated every year on April 29. The International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute first introduced the concept of World Dance Day in 1982.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work

♦ World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed every year on April 28 to raise awareness and educate people about the importance of safe, healthy, and proper working environments. The day was first celebrated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2003. 

♦ 2024 theme: 'To focus on ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate'.

International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day

♦ International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed every year on April 26. On April 26, 1986, the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl took place.

♦ During a 20-second routine shutdown of the nuclear power plant, the disaster happened which resulted in the spread of a radioactive cloud over the Soviet territory comprising of Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia.

♦ The disaster exposed nearly 8.4 million people to harmful radioactive chemicals. In 2016, the United Nations officially established the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day.

The World Intellectual Property Day

♦ The World Intellectual Property Day is observed every year on April 26 to raise awareness about intellectual property (IP) rights and its role in encouraging innovation and creativity to make the world a better place.

♦ The day was established in 2000 by the World Intellectual Property Office.

♦ 2024 theme: “IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity”.

World Earth Day

♦ World Earth Day (International Mother Earth Day) is observed every year on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. A U.S. senator named Gaylord Nelson organised the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, with the help of a graduate student from Harvard University named Denis Hayes.

♦ In 1990, Hayes organised the first global Earth Day with over 200 million people from more than 140 countries.

♦ 2024 theme: 'Planet vs. Plastics'.

National Panchayati Raj Day

♦ National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated every year on April 24 to commemorate the establishment of the Panchayati Raj system in India.

♦ In 1993, by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, the Panchayat system came to be implemented in the rural areas to allow for development to happen at grassroot level. India's three-tiered administrative structure is known as the Panchayati Raj system.

National Civil Service Day

♦ National Civil Service Day is observed every year on April 21 to appreciate the officers engaged in various public departments in the country.

♦ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of Independent India, addressed probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House in Delhi, referring to civil officials as the 'steel frame of India'.

♦ The first celebration was held on April 21, 2006, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. 

World Malaria Day

♦ World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25 to spread awareness about the deadly mosquito-borne disease.

♦ This day was established by WHO Member States at the World Health Assembly in 2007.

♦ 2024 theme: “Accelerate the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”

World Book and Copyright Day

♦ World Book and Copyright Day (International Day of the Book or World Book Day) is celebrated every year on April 23.

♦ The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) designated April 23 as a day to celebrate books and authors worldwide in 1995.

♦ 2024 theme: "Read Your Way" 

World Liver Day

♦ World Liver Day is observed every year on April 19 to spread awareness about liver-related issues and diseases. This day was first conducted in 2012. 

♦ 2024 theme: “Keep your liver healthy and disease-free”. 

World Haemophilia Day

♦ World Haemophilia Day is observed every year on April 17 to raise awareness about the rare genetic bleeding disorder. This day was established by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) in 1989. 

♦ 2024 theme:  'Equitable access for all: recognizing all bleeding disorders'.  

World Art Day

♦ World Art Day is celebrated every year on April 15 to create a bridge between artists and audiences and highlights their contribution to the development of the world. The day was officially announced in 2012 by the International Association of Art.

♦ 2024 theme: 'A GARDEN OF EXPRESSION: Cultivating Community Through Art.'

International Day of Human Space Flight

♦ The International Day of Human Space Flight is observed every year on April 12. The day is celebrated to honour the first person, Yuri Gagarin, to go to space. On April 7, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly finalised April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight.

♦ 2024 Theme: “Encouraging Scientific Curiosity”.

World Homeopathy Day

♦ World Homeopathy Day is celebrated every year on April 10 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Samuel Hahnemann. Samuel Hahnemann was born on April 10, 1755.

♦ 2024 theme: "Homeoparivar: One Health, One Family".
 

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

♦ The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is celebrated every year on April 6 to recognise the importance of sports and physical activity in our personal lives and communities around the world.  In 2013, the UN General Assembly officially designated April 6th as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

♦ 2024 theme: “Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies”.
 

National Maritime Day

♦ In India National Maritime Day is celebrated every year on April 5. This day was celebrated for the first time in 1964 to honour the inaugural voyage of the first Indian-owned ship SS Loyalty, on April 5, 1919. 2024 mark the 61st National Maritime Day.

♦ 2024 theme: “Navigating the future: safety first!”
 

International Day for Mine Awareness

♦ The International Day for Mine Awareness is observed every year on April 4. Te aim of this day is to raise public attention towards mine action activities, the land mines, its threats to the safety of mankind and how to work towards its elimination. This day was first observed in 2006. 

♦ 2024 theme: 'Protecting Lives, Building Peace'. 

World Autism Awareness Day

♦ World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on April 2 to empower and help autistic people lead a normal life. The United Nations established World Autism Awareness Day in 2007. According to the World Health Organization, one in 100 children has autism. 

♦ 2024 theme: 'Empowering Autistic Voices'