Important days in October
Thursday, October 07, 2021
October 15 is Global Handwashing Day. Photo /Net

October holds some important internationally acknowledged days; here are some of them: 

World Postal Day - October 9

World Postal Day is celebrated to raise awareness among people about the role of the postal sector for people and businesses every day. In 1874, the Universal Postal Union was established in Bern, Switzerland, and its anniversary is declared as the World Postal Day by the Universal Postal Union Congress in Tokyo, Japan in 1969.

World Mental Health Day - October 10

World Mental Health Day is observed every year to raise awareness about the scale of suicide around the world and the role that each of us can play to help prevent it. This day is organised by the World Federation for Mental Health. It is also supported by WHO, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and the United for Global Mental Health.

International Day of the Girl Child - October 11

International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction - October 13

International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction is observed annually to raise awareness about disaster reduction risk. In 1989, the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction was started by the United Nations General Assembly. 

World Standards Day - October 14

World Standards Day is observed to raise awareness among the regulators, industry, and consumers to show the importance of standardisation to the global economy.  

World Sight Day - Second Thursday of October 

World Sight Day is observed on the second Thursday of October. In 2021, it falls on October 14. The aim is to increase awareness on vision impairment and blindness.                                  

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day - October 15 

The day is observed annually remembrance for pregnancy and infant loss. 

Global Handwashing Day - October 15

 This day provides an opportunity to design, test, and replicate creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap at critical times. In 2008, the first Global Handwashing Day was celebrated. 

World White Cane Day - October 15

White cane for blind people is an essential tool that gives them the ability to achieve an entire and independent life. With the help of a white cane, they can move freely and safely from one place to another.

World Students Day - October 15

World Students Day is observed to mark the birth anniversary of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. This day honours and pays respect to him and his efforts in the field of science and technology. It is also a celebration of multiculturalism, diversity and cooperation among students across the globe.

World Food Day - October 16

World Food Day is celebrated to enthuse people about healthy diets. On this day, Food and Agriculture Organisation was established and launched by the United Nations in 1945.

World Anaesthesia Day - October 16

World Anaesthesia Day is celebrated to mark the first successful demonstration of diethyl ether anaesthesia in 1846.

World Spine Day - October 16

It is observed to highlight the burden of spinal pain and disability around the world.

International Day for Eradication of Poverty - October 17

This day marks the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on November 20, 1989. 

World Development Information Day - October 24

It is celebrated to draw the world’s attention to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.

International Artists Day - October 25

This day is celebrated annually worldwide to recognise the incredible work done by artists, plus their contribution to society. Many organisations celebrate this day by hosting festivals supporting local artists and many more to honour different arts.

World Occupational Therapy Day - October 27

World occupational therapy day is celebrated to promote the main goals of occupational therapy, which also promotes and increases awareness of occupational therapists and their impact on the public worldwide. These therapists help people of all ages to overcome the effects of disabilities caused by sickness, accidents, or ageing.

World Internet Day - October 29

The internet is said to be the most significant invention by humans. On this particular date, the internet is celebrated worldwide as it provides instant access to info, plus it eases different daily activities like purchasing, banking, studying and more.

World Cities Day - October 31

The United Nations commemorates the day by focusing on global urbanisation. Along with supporting urbanisation, the UN also addresses the problems that come with it. Cities work together to create a more sustainable urban environment.