International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Held on : 21st March

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was first established in 1966, following a tragic event that shocks the conscience: the massacre of young students peacefully protesting against apartheid laws, adopted by the South African government, a brutal regime that applied the theory of inequality between races, regardless of humanity’s moral and ethical advances. On March 21, 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws. Proclaiming the International Day, the United Nations General Assembly called upon the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (resolution 2142 (XXI)).

The UN General Assembly called on the international community to increase its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination when it proclaimed the day as a UN Day of observance in 1966. It also called on all world states and organizations to participate in a program of action to combat racism and racial discrimination in 1983. It held the World Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in 2001. The UN continues its work to fight against all forms of racial intolerance. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed with a series of events and activities worldwide on March 21 each year. Various activities and events are arranged in many countries worldwide on this day. Various activities include essays, photo projects, and published articles that promote the fight against racial discrimination.

Holiday Status - It is holiday in some parts of the world.

Alternate Name - United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination