The International Day of Happiness is an annual celebration that occurs on March 20. International Day of Happiness's purpose is to emphasize the importance of happiness and the overall well-being of individuals.
Resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 20 March as the International Day of Happiness stating the relevance of happiness and well-being as a goal and aspiration in the lives of people around the world. The United Nations initiated this event following Bhutan's advocacy for national happiness. The first International Day of Happiness was celebrated in 2013.
The theme of International Day of Happiness 2023 was "Be Mindful, Be Grateful, Be Kind."
World Oral Health Day
World Oral Health Day is observed globally every year on March 20, with the primary objective of increasing awareness about the significance of oral health. The Oral Health day aims to encourage individuals to adopt good oral hygiene practices, take care of their teeth, and learn ways to prevent dental problems.
World Oral Health Day was first observed on September 12, 2007, as World Oral Health Awareness Day, initiated by FDI World Dental Federation. However, in 2013, the FDI in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) established March 20 as the official date for World Oral Health Day.
Since its establishment, World Oral Health Day has been celebrated annually in more than 100 countries worldwide.
The theme for 2023 was 'Be Proud of Your Mouth,' which is the same theme used for the past three years.
Mar 18, 2023
Ordnance Factory Day
Ordnance Factory Day is observed every year on March 18 to commemorate the foundation of the first Ordnance Factory in colonial India at Cossipore near Kolkata in 1801. The Indian Ordnance Factories, which operate under the Ministry of Defence (MoD, celebrate the day as an event that gives the unique opportunity to exhibit the research, development, production, marketing logistics of the vast array of arms and ammunition by the ordnance factories in the country.
The history and development of ordnance factories is linked to the British era in India. The East India Company of England, to increase their economic interest and political hold, considered manufacturing military hardware as a vital element. The British authorities in 1775 established a Board of Ordnance in Fort William, Kolkata, which marks the official beginning of the Army Ordnance in India.
Global Recycling Day
Every year on March 18, Global Recycling Day is celebrated to increase people's comprehension about the harmful effects of plastic on the environment. This day also promotes recycling as a crucial concept and encourages people to organize events throughout the year to spread awareness about this cause.
Global Recycling Day is a relatively new event that was established on March 18, 2018, by the Global Recycling Foundation. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and encourage people to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. The foundation recognized that recycling is a critical solution to reduce the waste and pollution that harms the planet, and they wanted to create a global platform to promote this cause. Since then, Global Recycling Day has been celebrated every year, with different themes to focus on different aspects of the recycling issue. The day has become an essential event in the environmental movement.
The theme of Global Recycling Day 2023 was "Creative Innovation".
Mar 17, 2023
World Sleep Day
World Sleep Day 2023 was celebrated on March 17. It is an annual event that is observed on the third Friday of March before the Spring Equinox to grow awareness about the importance of getting sufficient sleep and make the world aware about the different sleep-related issues.
World Sleep Day was first observed in 2008 by the World Sleep Society, previously known as the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM), a non-profit organisation with a group of dedicated health care providers and members of the medical community working and studying in the area of sleep medicine and research, to promote and advance sleep health worldwide.
The theme for 2023 World Sleep Day was 'Sleep is Essential for Health'.
Mar 16, 2023
National Vaccination Day
Every year, National Vaccination Day or National Immunization Day is observed in India on March 16 with an aim to spread awareness about the importance of vaccines in the healthcare system. The day is observed to create awareness regarding how effective vaccinations are to prevent deadly diseases.
The day was first observed in 1995 when the government of India officially launched the Pulse Polio Immunisation program to eradicate polio from the country. On March 16, 1995, the first dose of the oral polio vaccine was administered in India as part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which began in 1988. The vaccination program was popularised through a nationwide campaign called 'Do Boond Zindagi Ki'.
The last case of polio was recorded in 2011 in Bengal and the WHO declared India Polio free on March 27, 2014.
Mar 15, 2023
International Day to Combat Islamophobia
In 2022, the United Nations established the International Day to Fight Islamophobia, which is observed annually on March 15 across 140 nations. March 15 was selected as the date because it marks the anniversary of the Christchurch mosque massacres, which left 51 people dead.
On 15 March 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus which was introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation that proclaimed March 15 as 'International Day to Combat Islamophobia'.
World Consumer Rights Day
World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on March 15 every year with an aim to raise global awareness about consumer rights and promote consumer protection. The day is also commemorated to be aware about the market injustices across the world. It is an annual event that celebrates solidarity within the international consumer movement.
The day was first observed on March 15, 1983 which was inspired by US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy's US Congress address on March 15, 1962. He addressed the issue of consumer rights and laid emphasis on its importance and became the first world leader to talk about consumer rights. Every year on this day several organisations like Consumer International celebrate the occasion by holding events and campaigns to safeguard consumer rights.
The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2023 was "Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions."