International Days October 12 2024 (United Nations)

The following is an overview of the days and the corresponding celebration declared by the United Nations that apply to Saturday, 2024-10-12:

• United Nations Spanish Language Day:

  The Spanish Language Day is a day to create conscience among the official and staff members of the history, culture, development and use of the Spanish language throughout the United Nations. 12 October was chosen because it is traditionally observed as the day when Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas, marking the beginning of the diffusion of Spanish language and culture as well as its lasting impact on the New World. Because there are six official languages in the United Nations, this day is actually part of a group of other 5 more days meant to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the United Nations. For completeness, English Language Day is celebrated on 23 April. French Language Day is celebrated on 20 March. Arabic Language Day is celebrated on 18 December. Chinese Language Day is celebrated on 20 April. Russian Language Day is celebrated on 6 June.
  • Official note (in Spanish)

• Yom Kippur:

  ^[floating] 32 countries wrote a letter to a committee of the United Nations General Assembly in support of Israel’s bid to have the international body recognize Yom Kippur as an official holiday. The letter, dated June 30 2014, was sent to the General Assembly’s Committee on Conferences and stated that on Yom Kippur the Jewish people

  reflect on the events of the past year and pray that all peoples will enjoy a year of good health, peace and prosperity.

  ...the messages of Yom Kippur are universal and as such, we the representatives of the delegations listed (in the letter) are writing to request that Yom Kippur be included as an official holiday of the United Nations as from 2015.

  With the interest of respecting the diversity of United Nations staff members, resolution 62/250 designates Yom Kippur as a floating holiday. Yom Kippur, also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.
  • Resolution 69/250

Notes:

^[floating] A 'floating' holiday. An employee at the United Nations may or may not choose to take this day as a holiday. Starting in 2016, the United Nations staff will no longer have 10 official holidays. There will be nine official holidays and each employee will be able to choose one of seven floating holidays as a 10th holiday.