International Day of Older Persons
Almost 700 million people are now over the age of 60. By 2050, 2 billion people, over 20 per cent of the world’s population, will be 60 or older. The increase in the number of older people will be the greatest and the most rapid in the developing world, with Asia as the region with the largest number of older persons, and Africa facing the largest proportionate growth. With this in mind, enhanced attention to the particular needs and challenges faced by many older people is clearly required. Just as important, however, is the essential contribution the majority of older men and women can continue to make to the functioning of society if adequate guarantees are in place. Human rights lie at the core of all efforts in this regard. Living up to the Secretary-General’s guiding principle of “Leaving No-One Behind” necessitates the understanding that demography matters for sustainable development and that population dynamics will shape the key developmental challenges that the world in confronting in the 21st century. If our ambition is to “Build the Future We Want”, we must address the population over 60 which is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2030.
China National Day (Hong Kong)
The People's Republic of China (PRC) observes its anniversary on October 1. National Day activities in Hong Kong start with a special flag-raising ceremony by the Hong Kong Police Force beside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Other events include a National Day reception and a firework display, as well as hundreds of district events over the weekend.
World Habitat Day
The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. The theme for World Habitat Day 1 October 2018 is Municipal Solid Waste Management The purpose of World Habitat Day is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.
Bullet Train Anniversary (Japan)
Japan's bullet train, better known as Shinkansen in Japanese (しんかんせん), was inagurated in Tokyo on October 1st 1964. Tokyo celebrates the aniversary of this fenomenal piece of technology that has make the lives of people around the country more productive.
International Translation Day
International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security. Transposition of a literary or scientific work, including technical work, from one language into another language, professional translation, including translation proper, interpretation and terminology, is indispensable to preserving clarity, a positive climate and productiveness in international public discourse and interpersonal communication. Thus, on 24 May 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development, and declared 30 September as International Translation Day.
World Heart Day
Heart Day is part of an international campaign to spread awareness about heart disease and stroke prevention. This is the perfect day to quit smoking, get exercising and start eating healthy – all in the name of keeping your ticker in good working order, and improving the health and well being of people the world over. The World Heart Federation have found that heart disease and strokes are the world’s leading cause of death, killing 17.1 million people every year – that’s more than victims of cancer, HIV and AIDS and malaria. Overeating, lack of exercise, unhealthy diets and high blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels are all factors which can trigger heart disease and threaten our own lives, and those of loved ones. Heart Day was set up to drive home the message that heart problems can be prevented. The aim is to improve health globally by encouraging people to make lifestyle changes and promoting education internationally about ways to be good to your heart. This lesson is becoming increasingly relevant as reports of obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity in children and young people become more and more common.
Confucius Birthday
The Grand Ceremony Dedicated to Confucius (祭孔大典) is held annually on Confucius’ Birthday (September 28) to pay homage to Confucius, China’s ‘First Teacher.’ Who Was Confucius, and Why Is He Celebrated? Confucius (551-479 BC) was a sage, scholar, and philosopher. Confucius passed on his passion for education by emphasizing the importance of education. A slew of accolades, including a posthumous award of “Supreme Teacher” in 1AD, an imperial decree deeming him a ""Grand Master"" in 581AD, and the bestowing of the title “Prince of Culture” in 739AD led to Confucius’ continued popularity. The Confucian ceremony has been traced to the Zhou Dynasty (1046BC-221BC). After Confucius’ death, ceremonies to honor him were held by Confucius' family members. Emperor Lu Aigong (魯哀公) converted Confucius’ home in Qufu (曲阜), in Shandong Province, to a temple so Confucius' descendants could honor him. It wasn't until after Han Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang (高祖) paid his respects to Confucius that all emperors began to worship Confucius. Confucian Ceremonies have been held regularly since the Han dynasty (206BC-220AD). During the Three Kingdoms Period (三国时代) (220AD-280AD), Emperor Cao Cao (曹操) established the biyong (辟雍), an institute for teaching the emperor how to conduct the Confucius ceremony.
World Tourism Day
Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. As the official day set aside in the United Nations Calendar the celebration seeks to highlight tourisms potential to contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing some of the most pressing challenges society is faced with today.
International Day of Sign Languages
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. Sign languages are fully fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages. There is also an international sign language, which is used by deaf people in international meetings and informally when travelling and socializing. It is considered a pidgin form of sign language that is not as complex as natural sign languages and has a limited lexicon. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes and promotes the use of sign languages. It makes clear that sign languages are equal in status to spoken languages and obligates states parties to facilitate the learning of sign language and promote the linguistic identity of the deaf community. The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages in order to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf. The first International Day of Sign languages will be celebrated in 2018 under the theme “With Sign Language, Everyone is Included!” The resolution establishing the day acknowledges that early access to sign language and services in sign language, including quality education available in sign language, is vital to the growth and development of the deaf individual and critical to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals. It recognizes the importance of preserving sign languages as part of linguistic and cultural diversity. It also emphasizes the principle of “nothing about us without us” in terms of working with deaf communities.
Autumnal Equinox Day (Japan)
On September 23 or 24, the Autumnal Equinox is celebrated as a national holiday in Japan. In Japan, it is known as 'Shubun-no-hi'. The exact day can vary due to astronomical observations, so the date for the following year is usually announced in early spring.
World Car Free Day
Car Free Day is a free international event celebrated every September 22 in which people are encouraged to get around without driving alone in cars and instead ride a train, bus, bicycle, carpool, vanpool, subway, or walk. For those that have the ability to work from home, telework also counts. Car Free Day is open to all people in the Washington metropolitan area.
International Peace Day
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. It's a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples
Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix
Grand Prix Season Singapore revs up the excitement annually with the iconic FORMULA 1 night race. Besides blazing circuit action, visitors can look forward to vibrant shopping, dining, cultural and party experiences.
Respect for the Aged Day (Japan)
This national holiday is celebrated on the Third Monday in September.Also known as Seniors' Day, Respect of the Aged Day, or Keiro no Hi, was established as a national holiday in 1966 to express respect for the elders in the community, and to recognise and thank them for their contributions to society and last but not least, celebrate their long lives.
Malaysia Day
Malaysia Day is a holiday that is celebrated around the founding of the Malaysian Federation
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volksfest (beer festival and travelling funfair). Held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, it is a 16-day folk festival running from mid or late September to the first weekend in October, with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year.
International Day of Democracy
"Democracy is showing greater strain than at any time in decades. That is why this International Day should make us look for ways to invigorate democracy and seek answers for the systemic challenges it faces." — UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (Hong Kong)
"The Mid-Autumn festival starts on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. In Hong Kong, people enjoy gathering up under the moonlight with their family members, enjoying watching the dragon dance, eating moon cakes, and displaying lanterns. Moon cakes are pastries filled with gooey sesame, red bean, and walnut meats. In Taiwan, due in part to the creeping westernization of Taiwanese society, there is a modern trend of spending Mid-Autumn Festival with a barbecue and a few beers under the light of the full moon. It is usually a small family affair but some towns and villages do organize large scale versions where the whole community gets together under twinkling lanterns to eat mountains of sizzling meat and moon cakes."
Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival, also called “Moon Festival”, is celebrated in Taiwan and elsewhere in East Asia to mark the fall harvest and, to some, to offer traditional worship to the moon.
Chuseok & Holiday (South Korea)
Chuseok is one of the largest and most widely celebrated holidays in South Korea. This holiday is a time of happiness and reconnecting as families gather, chat, and have great feasts. The primary reason for Chuseok in South Korea is to honour ancestors and deceased relatives, but the holiday also serves the purpose of keeping the family together in a time when work and other obligations may separate people.