Africa Day (formerly African
Freedom Day and African Liberation Day) is the annual
commemoration of the foundation of the Organization of African Unity on 25
May 1963. It is celebrated in various countries on the African continent as
well as around the world. The organization was replaced by the African
Union on 9 July 2002, but the holiday continues to be celebrated on 25 May.
Global Surgery Day (GSD) is celebrated on May 25th each year. It's a global campaign that aims to raise awareness and demand action for equitable access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care for everyone. InciSioN - International Student Surgical Network started GSD in 2015
Key Aspects of Global Surgery Day:
Focus on Equity:
GSD highlights the disparity in access to surgical care, with over 5 billion people lacking safe, timely, and affordable options.
Global Awareness Campaign:
It utilizes social media and other platforms to raise awareness about the issue and encourage action.
Advocacy and Education:
GSD campaigns often feature advocacy posts and educational content to inform the public and stakeholders about the importance of surgical equity.
International Collaboration:
The campaign is supported by various
organizations, including InciSioN and IFMSA, and involves global audiences and
stakeholders.
Towel
Day is celebrated every year on 25 May as a tribute to
the author Douglas Adams by his fans. On this day, fans
openly carry a towel with them, as described in Adams' The Hitchhiker’s
Guide to the Galaxy, to demonstrate their appreciation for the books and the
author. The commemoration was first held 25 May 2001, two weeks after Adams'
death on 11 May.
Last year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to recognize May 25 as World Football Day. In 2024, the day marked the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament featuring teams from all regions.
Football, known as soccer in the United States, made its
Olympic debut in Paris in 1924. This annual celebration is meant to honour the
global impact of football as a unifying sport. It also sheds light on the role
of football in promoting peace, development and women’s empowerment. The day
encourages all countries to celebrate the value of the sport through special
events and competitions.
Football traces its roots to ancient civilisations, with early versions of the game being played in China, Greece, and Rome. The modern version, however, emerged in 19th-century England, when official rules first came into place, leading to the foundation of the Football Association in 1863.
World Football Day: History
From dusty fields to state-of-the-art stadiums, football has now grown into a global passion, with tournaments like the FIFA World Cup uniting nations and cultures. The proposal to designate May 25 as World Football Day was put forward by Libya’s ambassador to the United Nations, Taher El-Sonni. The initiative received widespread support, with over 160 UN member states showing a thumbs-up to the resolution.
While presenting the proposal, Ambassador El-Sonni highlighted football’s global reach, emphasizing its presence in communities of all sizes—from small villages to major cities. He also admitted it to be the most popular sport in the world.
World Football Day: Significance
World Football Day celebrates
the power of football to unite people across cultures, nations, and
backgrounds. The sport promotes teamwork, fair play, and mutual respect, while
also driving social inclusion, community development, and peace-building efforts.
It also honours football’s cultural impact and its ability to inspire youth and
encourage healthy lifestyles.
On June 17, 1917, Mahatma Gandhi relocated the Satyagraha Ashram to a 36-acre site on the banks of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, Gujara...
