Important Days and Dates GK Questions

Notes:
Christmas is celebrated on December 25, according to the Gregorian calendar, in most of the Western world.
Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar and mark the festival on January 7. Russian President Vladmir Putin called for a temporary 36-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to allow Orthodox followers to attend Christmas services. Orthodox Christians are estimated to be between 200 and 300 million people globally.

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‘Civil Services Day’ is observed on April 21 every year. It highlights the achievements and contributions of civil servants in India.
National Civil Services Day was first celebrated on April 21, 2006. April 21 was chosen because it is on this day that the first Home Minister of Independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, 1947 addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers at Metcalf House in Delhi.

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The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed ‘International Day of Care and Support’ to be observed on 29 October.
This international day seeks to foreground care and support as a cornerstone of sustainable development and accelerator for equality. This year is the first time, the days is observed.

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International Civil Aviation Day is observed on 7 December every year. The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States, and of the unique role of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in helping states.
Every five years, the ICAO Council establishes a special anniversary theme for International Civil Aviation Day. The Council has decided that from 2019 until 2023, the theme is: “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development”.

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The International Gita Mahotsav (IGM), rooted in India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, expands to Sri Lanka for its fifth edition from March 1 to 3. With past editions in Mauritius, London, Canada, and Australia, the Mahotsav’s global appeal is evident. The event aims to unite devotees worldwide, showcasing the universal significance of the Bhagavad Gita.

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The Ministry of Tourism, India, participated in the World Travel Market (WTM) in London from November 5–7, 2024. The UK is India’s second-largest source of inbound tourists, with a strong Indian diaspora of 1.9 million. The India Pavilion at WTM showcases India’s diverse tourism offerings, including MICE, Mahakhumbh, and Wedding Tourism, with a special Indian wedding-themed setup. The event features 50+ stakeholders, including state tourism boards, tour operators, and airlines. The Chalo India initiative encourages the diaspora to promote India, offering incentives like gratis e-tourist visas. Recently, the Incredible India Content Hub and Digital Portal was launched to enhance visitor experience. India focuses on sustainable tourism growth aligned with the G20 Goa Roadmap.

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December 21, 2024, is observed as the first World Meditation Day, designated by the United Nations in a resolution passed on November 29, 2024. India led the initiative for this day at the UN, co-sponsoring the resolution. A special programme was held at the UN headquarters on December 20, 2024, with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, as the chief guest, conducting a global meditation session. The theme of the first World Meditation Day is “Inner Peace, Global Harmony,” aiming to raise awareness about meditation’s benefits for health and well-being.

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World Sparrow Day is celebrated every year on March 20 to raise awareness about the declining sparrow population. It was initiated by “Nature Forever” in 2010 and has spread to over 50 countries. In 2012, the house sparrow was declared Delhi’s state bird. Sparrows control insect populations, aid in pollination, and enhance biodiversity. Known as “Goraiya” (Hindi), “Kuruvi” (Tamil), and “Chirya” (Urdu), they hold cultural significance in India. People celebrate by planting greenery, reducing pesticides, and creating nesting spaces to protect sparrows.

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World TB Day is observed on March 24 to raise awareness about Tuberculosis (TB) and its impact. The United Nations’ SDG goal is to end TB by 2030 with a 90% reduction in incidence, 95% reduction in mortality, and zero catastrophic costs. The Global TB Report 2024 warns that these targets may not be met due to complex diagnostics, drug-resistant TB, and lack of healthcare access. India’s TB Treatment Coverage reached 92.4% (global target: 90% by 2027). Treatment Success Rate in 2022 was 87.6% (target: 92%). India accounts for 26% of global TB cases, with 195 cases per 100,000 population. 2.552 million TB cases were reported, missing the 2.762 million target.

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World Day for Animals in Laboratories is observed annually on April 24. It raises awareness about the suffering of animals used in scientific testing and research. It was introduced in 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society, it is recognized by many countries and animal rights groups as a symbol of compassion and a call for change in scientific experimentation. The date was chosen in honor of Lord Hugh Dowding, a prominent advocate for animal rights.