International Day of Light

International Day of Light is the day celebrated on May 16. As per UNESCO, it signify to strengthen cooperation and leverage its potential to foster peace and development.^[1] Light is a universal symbol of life it plays important role in education, science, art, culture, sustainable development, communications, energy and medicine. It is celebrated every year.^[2][3] The day is celebrated & observed by UNESCO^[4][5]

International Day of Light
Type	Secular
Date	14 January
Next time	14 January 2024 (2024-01-14)
Frequency	annual
Started by	UNESCO
Related to	World Philosophy Day

History

This initiative was taken on May 16, 1960 by UNESCO when physicist Theodore Maiman and engineer successfully fired the first laser.^[6] Light is important and celebrated because throughout Thousands of years of history, humans are relying on light to see and learn about the universe. From ancient civilizations to monuments aligning with the constellations. Still, today astronomers are looking and learning about galaxy and the universe.^[6]

The study of light helped us to create microscopes, X-ray machines, telescopes, cameras, electric lights, television screens. This help us to transform our world in extraordinary ways.^[6][7]

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. "International Day of Light | American Institute of Physics". www.aip.org. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
7. "International Day of Light 2022: All You Need to Know". News18. 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2023-02-10.