International Day of Light
TypeSecular
Date16 May
Next time16 May 2024 (2024-05)
Frequencyannual
Started byUNESCO

The International Day of Light is celebrated each year on May 16. Its purpose, per UNESCO, is to strengthen cooperation and leverage its potential to foster peace and development.[1] Light-based technologies play an important role in education, science, art, culture, sustainable development, communications, energy and medicine.[2][3] The annual celebration is organized by UNESCO[4][5]

History

The first International Day of Light celebration was organized by UNESCO on May 16, 2018,[6] the anniversary of the day in 1960 when engineer and physicist Theodore Maiman successfully fired the first laser.[7]

The International Day of Light followed the International Year of Light in 2015. The Day was proposed by Ghana, Mexico, New Zealand and the Russian Federation and was supported by UNESCO's Executive Board. The UNESCO General Conference approved the proposal in November 2017.[6]

Purpose

The study of light, and light-based technologies, has helped us transform our world in extraordinary ways. Light-based technologies include microscopes, X-ray machines, telescopes, cameras, electric lights and television screens. [7][8] The International Day of Light is intended to promote scientific cooperation and to harness the potential of science to foster peace and sustainable development.

References

  1. ↑ "International Day of Light: History, significance and all you need to know". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  2. ↑ "Explained: Why is the International Day of Light celebrated?". The Indian Express. 2020-05-16. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  3. ↑ "International Day of Light". idlight (in French). Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  4. ↑ "International Day of Light | UNESCO". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  5. ↑ "International Day of Light | spie.org". spie.org. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  6. 1 2 "UNESCO celebrates the 1st International Day of Light". www.unesco.org. 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  7. 1 2 "International Day of Light | American Institute of Physics". www.aip.org. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  8. ↑ "International Day of Light 2022: All You Need to Know". News18. 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
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