Important Days Current Affairs

World Telecommunication Day: Celebrated annually on May 17 since 1969 to commemorate the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. Instituted by the Plenipotentiary Conference in Malaga-Torremolinos in 1973.

World Information Society Day: Established following the World Summit on the Information Society in November 2005. The UN General Assembly declared May 17 as World Information Society Day in March 2006, focusing on the importance of ICT and related issues raised by WSIS.

Q: When do we celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD)?

A) April 17
B) May 17
C) June 17
D) July 17

Answer: B) May 17

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 25th May as World Football Day. This proclamation occurred during the 80th plenary meeting of the General Assembly in New York.

1. The year 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament during the 1924 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
2. The resolution was passed unanimously by the 193-member General Assembly.

Q: Which day is proclaimed as World Football Day by the United Nations General Assembly?

a) 24th May b) 25th May c) 26th May d) 27th May

Ans : b) 25th May

Q: In which city were the 1924 Summer Olympic Games held, where the first international football tournament with representation from all regions took place?

a) Berlin
b) Tokyo
c) Paris
d) London

Ans : c) Paris

Mother’s Day is a special occasion celebrated in various countries around the world to honor mothers and mother-figures. In the United States, Mother’s Day is observed on the second Sunday in May.

Origin:

The modern form of Mother’s Day originated in the United States. Anna Jarvis, inspired by her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis (a peace activist during the American Civil War), campaigned to establish Mother’s Day as a recognized holiday.

The first Mother’s Day service took place in 1907 at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia.

Q: Mother’s Day is celebrated ?

A) First Sunday in May
B) Second Sunday in May
C) Third Sunday in May
D) Fourth Sunday in May

Answer: B) Second Sunday in May

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is observed annually on May 8 to celebrate the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

• The date was chosen because it marks the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
• Henry Dunant was born on May 8, 1828, in Geneva, Switzerland, and passed away on October 30, 1910.
• Dunant was also the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.
• The idea for an annual international action to promote peace was introduced after World War I.
• The proposal for an annual International Red Cross Day was adopted in 1948, with the first celebration occurring on May 8 of that year.
• The official title of the day evolved over time, becoming “World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day” in 1984.

Q: When is World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day observed?

a) May 7 b) May 8 c) May 9 d) May 10

Ans : b) May 8

Q: Why was May 8 chosen as the date for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day?

a) It marks the end of World War I
b) It is the birthday of Henry Dunant
c) It is the anniversary of the International Red Cross
d) It is the anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize

Ans : b) It is the birthday of Henry Dunant

Q: Who is Henry Dunant?

a) Founder of the United Nations
b) Founder of the International Red Cross
c) Founder of the World Health Organization
d) Founder of the European Union

Ans : b) Founder of the International Red Cross

Government of India commemorates International Sun Day on May 3rd, 2024, highlighting the benefits of solar energy for a greener planet.

• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy organizes ‘Run for Sun’ Marathon in New Delhi to raise awareness about solar power’s role in mitigating climate change.
• Marathon demonstrates India’s commitment to solar energy and environmental sustainability.
• Solar Stops set up in six Indian cities to educate citizens about solar energy through interactive installations.
• Solart, an All-India Intra-School Solar Art Competition, announced to promote awareness of solar energy among school students through artistic expressions.

Question : When is International Sun Day celebrated ?

a) May 1st
b) May 2nd
c) May 3rd
d) May 4th

Ans : c) May 3rd

World Press Freedom Day observed on May 3rd every year to celebrating press freedom and independence.

• Theme for this year: “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.”
• United Nations General Secretary António Guterres emphasizes journalists’ role in informing the public about environmental and climate emergencies.
• Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following UNESCO General Conference recommendations.
• Marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles.

Windhoek Declaration ?

The Windhoek Declaration is a statement of free press principles that was put together during a UNESCO seminar on “Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press” in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1991. It emphasizes the importance of press freedom, independence, and pluralism as essential components of democratic societies. The declaration calls for the establishment, maintenance, and fostering of an independent, pluralistic, and free press, both in print and broadcast media, in countries transitioning to democracy. It serves as a landmark document advocating for press freedom globally.

Q: What does World Press Freedom Day mark the anniversary of?

a) The establishment of the United Nations
b) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
c) The Windhoek Declaration
d) The Birth Anniversary of William Shakespeare

Ans : c) The Windhoek Declaration

Q: Windhoek Declaration of UNESCO is related to:

a) Education standards in developing countries
b) Protection of cultural heritage sites
c) Promotion of free press principles
d) Wildlife conservation efforts

Ans : c) Promotion of free press principles

International Labour Day, also known as May Day is observed on May 1 every year to honors workers worldwide.

• The day commemorates workers’ contributions to achieving economic and social rights globally.
• Originated from the Haymarket Affair in 1886 when a labor demonstration demanding an eight-hour workday turned violent in Chicago.
• In 1889, European socialist parties united to establish May 1 as International Labour Day, and it has been observed annually since then.

Q: When is International Labour Day observed?

a) June 1
b) May 15
c) April 1
d) May 1

Ans : d) May 1