International Day of Light: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about International Day of Light (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. International Day of Light is celebrated on May 16th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of International Day of Light, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you should know about International Day of Light.

📅 What day is International Day of Light 2024?

In 2024, International Day of Light is on Tuesday, May 16th. It is the 3rd Tuesday in May; in 2024, it is Thursday. There are until the next observance. You also can discover all the fun details and facts about May 16, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Every year on May 16, the International Day of Light acknowledges the contributions of light and light-based technology to various sectors of life, including arts, education, medical research, communications, science, and sustainable development. It commemorates significant milestones in the history of light, such as Humphrey Davy’s invention of the first electric lamp in 1802 and Theodore Maiman’s successful demonstration of the first practical laser operation in 1960. The United Nations oversees this day, with management by UNESCO’s International Basic Science Programme (I.B.S.P.). People from different backgrounds, both within and outside the scientific community, organize activities and discussions worldwide to celebrate the International Day of Light.

📜 International Day of Light History

Developers of electric lamps faced the challenge of making the filament affordable, and Joseph Swan found a solution in 1850 by using inexpensive carbonized paper filaments instead of expensive platinum filaments. Swan demonstrated his electric lamp in 1878 and patented it in the UK, but it had a defect that Edison fixed in his light bulb introduced in 1879. Swan started an electrical lighting business in England, and although he faced a patent infringement lawsuit from Edison, they later joined forces to create Edison-Swan United, the largest light bulb producer in the world. In the 1960s, Nick Holonyak accidentally created the red LED light and patented it, while the blue LED was developed by Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura in the early 1990s, leading to the production of white LEDs. Lighting technology is becoming more complex and intelligent, with the potential for remote lighting through smartphones and voice commands. Incandescent light bulbs are also being phased out, replaced by halogen, LED, and OLED alternatives.

✅ International Day of Light Facts

🔖 Humans do glow
Similar to various other living organisms, we possess the ability to produce bioluminescence. However, the light emitted by us is too faint for our eyes to perceive.

🔖 Let there be light
After the Big Bang occurred, it took approximately half a million years for light to finally reach our planet Earth.

🔖 The speed of light
When light travels through a vacuum, it moves at a speed of approximately 186,282.4 miles per second. However, when it encounters the Earth’s atmosphere, its speed is reduced.

👍 Why Is International Day of Light Important

Light is one of the primary reasons that life exists on Earth. Plants use light to develop and create food for other species. Light supplies energy, which living creatures utilize to carry out all of their functions. It is also essential in the creation of oxygen and vitamin D, which are required by all living creatures.

Light is an important source of renewable energy that people may use to avert a climate change disaster. The sun’s light is pure, renewable, and has no detrimental environmental impact.

Light-based technologies are used in healthcare for analysis, imaging, sterilization, genome sequencing, cancer cell destruction, and other purposes. These advancements in technology have made it easier to detect and treat diseases, manage global pandemics, and improve healthcare for all.

🙂 How To Observe International Day of Light

⚡ Watch films on lighting

⚡ Sign the ‘Trust Science’ pledge
The “Trust Science” pledge is a commitment to rely on scientific evidence when making crucial choices. You can visit trust-science.org to join this promise to have faith in science and spread the message to your friends.

⚡ Attend an International Day of Light event
Several films and documentaries have been made regarding the invention of the light bulb and electricity. “The Current War,” starring Benedict Cumberbatch, is one of the most popular. Stream it using your preferred streaming provider.

📅 When is International Day of Light?

View all 🔗 May holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Appreciation holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and cool facts about International Day of Light. So be sure to check back soon.