What is celebrated on August 31

Did you know that it is possible for several celebrations to share the same day of remembrance? Such is the case on August 31, in which the International Day of African DescentHe International Day of SolidarityHe International Midwifery Day and the International Day of Overdose Awareness.

Although they fall on the same day, these events are unrelated and have different origins. In fact, only the International Day of People of African Descent has the support of the United Nations.

International Day of African Descent

This day was launched as an anniversary since 2021, but the idea was born in 2020 as that year also marked a turning point in how these issues are addressed at the international and national level.

In an article, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres explains that “with this celebration, we want to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora around the world and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent.”

International Day of Solidarity

UNESCO has set the International Day of Solidarity on December 20, but the movement that positioned this day chose the date in honor of the Polish social movement Solidarity, which was represented in 1980 by the trade union ‘Solidarność’, one of those responsible for the fall of World War II. the Berlin wall.

Due to the nature of this celebration, the UN advises that every community or population commemorate this celebration according to the needs of its inhabitants. For this reason, some activities may include helping children, the elderly, and underprivileged families.

International Midwifery Day

To raise awareness about maternal mortality, International Midwifery Day is commemorated every August 31. This date was determined by the death of San Ramón Nonatto (patron of midwifery, pregnant and childbearing women) in the year 1240.

That cardinal was born from the womb of his mother, who had died the day before. Since then, this saint has been invoked for the protection of pregnant women and their unborn children.

Currently, obstetrics, the branch of medicine that deals with pregnant women and the fetus, is celebrated on this day.

International Day of Overdose Awareness

Since 2001, International Overdose Awareness Day has been commemorated. The anniversary has its origins in Australia, where Sally J. Finn and Peter Streker proposed creating a day to honor families who have lost a loved one to a drug overdose.

To celebrate this date, educational campaigns are being conducted about the fatal consequences of drugs and how to avoid falling into drug addiction. (JO)

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