General

A symbolic day dedicated to raising awareness of the gender pay gap. The idea of an Equal Pay Day was inspired by the National Committee on Pay Equity, the United States in 1996. In Canada, in 2020 Equal Pay Day falls on 31 March.

The day honours and remembers those who suffered and died as a consequence of the transatlantic slave trade, which has been called the worst violation of human rights in history. In a span of over 400 years more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims.

For more information about this day, please visit https://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryremembranceday/. 

On 21 March 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws.”  The United Nations then declared 21 March as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a day to remind people of racial discrimination’s negative consequences, and encourage people to remember their obligation and determination to combat racial discrimination. 

Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the date of the death of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Many people worldwide wear green to celebrate this day.

A Hindu festival that marks the start of spring. On this festive day, people play with colours, meet and greet one another and create new beginnings.

Initiated in the United States in 1909, this day was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977.  It is now observed worldwide as a day to recognize women's achievements and acknowledge the challenges they continue to face in the quest for gender equality.

To know more about the history of International Women's Day, please follow the below link   https://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/history.shtml

World Day of Social Justice, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly, aims to encourage people to look at how social justice affects poverty eradication. It also focuses on the goal of achieving full employment and support for social integration.

For more information about World Day of Social Justice, please follow this link https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day. 

Valentine's Day is an opportunity for people to tell and show somebody that they romantically love them. It falls on February 14, the name day of two saints, St Valentine of Rome and St Valentine of Terni. In pre-Christian times, the middle of February was a time of pagan fertility festivals in Europe and allegedly the time when birds chose a mate.

A national holiday in Japan, reflecting on the establishment of the Japanese nation and nurturing a love for the country. On this day, Japanese people proudly raise the national flag, to show that they are one nation rather than a group of clans. 

The celebration of the New Year, the months of which are coordinated by the cycles of the moon. It is called Chun Jie in China, Seollal in Korea, and Tet in Vietnam.