Current Affairs - Important Days

World Thyroid Day is observed each year on May 25 to raise awareness about thyroid-related diseases and the importance of thyroid health. The day was officially established during the annual general meeting of the Thyroid Federation International in September 2007 and was first celebrated in 2008. It serves as a platform for healthcare professionals and the public to discuss advances in diagnosis and treatment. The 2025 theme, “Thyroid Disease and Artificial Intelligence,” highlights how emerging technologies are transforming the detection and management of thyroid disorders, bringing global attention to innovative healthcare approaches.

The United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution A/RES/78/281 in 2024, officially declared May 25 as World Football Day to be observed annually. This date holds historical significance as it marks the opening of the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, which was the first Olympic football tournament organized by FIFA. The observance is meant to celebrate the unifying power of football across cultures and nations. FIFA also aligns this day with World Football Week, running from May 21 to 25, and adopts themes like "Together, We Are Stronger" to emphasize the sport's role in promoting inclusion and global unity.

The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is observed every year on May 23. This day highlights one of the most preventable childbirth-related injuries—obstetric fistula, which results from prolonged, obstructed labour without timely medical intervention. The 2025 theme, “Her Health, Her Right,” emphasizes the necessity of providing all women and girls access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare services. Despite being preventable and treatable, obstetric fistula continues to affect hundreds of thousands of women globally, particularly in impoverished regions. The observance aims to mobilize global efforts to eliminate this condition by addressing healthcare inequalities and promoting women’s rights.

World Turtle Day is celebrated annually on May 23, an initiative sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a nonprofit founded in 1990. The day aims to raise awareness about the protection and humane treatment of turtles and tortoises around the world. Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, the founders of ATR and World Turtle Day, have long advocated for reptile welfare. The 25th anniversary celebration carries the theme “Dancing Turtles Rock!”, emphasizing fun and public engagement while drawing attention to conservation issues. This day helps spotlight global efforts needed to preserve these ancient creatures and their habitats.

The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed each year on May 22, a date chosen to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. Originally celebrated on December 29, the observance was moved to May 22 in 2000 by the UN General Assembly to enhance its visibility. The day serves to raise global awareness of the crucial role biodiversity plays in sustaining life on Earth. In 2025, the emphasis is on restoring nature and aligning biodiversity protection with sustainable development, underlining the urgent need for collective action to halt environmental degradation and promote ecological resilience.