Humanist Special Days

Humanists are not religious and the word ‘Humanism’ is a noun used to describe certain non-religious beliefs and values not a religion. Nontheless, there are Humanist organisations, set up to advance humanist principles and causes and they do mark days of special importance. In addition to days specific for humanists, they will often also mark shared days of importance like Human Rights Day or International Women’s Day.

12 February
Darwin Day
Darwin Day marks the anniversary of the birth, in 1809, of Charles Darwin, the British biologist who discovered evolution. He transformed humanity’s understanding of the natural world and our place in it. Darwin Day is marked by humanists and others worldwide as a day to commemorate Darwin’s work and the work of science more generally.

21 June
World Humanist Day
World Humanist Day is celebrated annually on June 21 as a way to spread information about the positive aspects of humanism as a lifestance and means to affect change in the world. Humanists often use this significant date as a time to educate the public in their local area about this often misunderstood worldview, and to gather and celebrate as a community which continues to contribute to the progress and education of the world