International Days March 20 2026 (United Nations)

The following is an overview of the days and the corresponding celebration declared by the United Nations that apply to Friday, 2026-03-20:

• International Day of Happiness:

  In its resolution 66/281 dated 12th of July 2012, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed March 20th as the International Day of Happiness recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives.
  • Official note
  • Resolution A/RES/66/281

• United Nations French Language Day:

  The French Language Day is a day to create conscience among the official and staff members of the history, culture, development and use of the French language throughout the United Nations. 20 March was chosen because on this same day the 77 members states of the International Organization of La Francophonie celebrate the International Francophonie Day. 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, Spanish Language Day is celebrated on 12 October. English Language Day is celebrated on 23 April. 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 French)

• Eid al-Fitr:

  ^[headq] As stated in resolutions 52/214, 52/468 and other related United Nations resolutions, staff at all United Nations duty stations, including the United Nations Headquarters, are to observe Eid al-Fitr as holiday. Eid al-Fitr is also called Breaking the Fast Feast because it falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal, right after the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the islamic calendar. Please note that the date for the start of any lunar islamic month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality and there may be a one-day error in the date calculation.
  • Resolution 52/214
  • Resolution 52/468

Notes:

^[headq] This is an official holiday at the United Nations Headquarters.