Human Rights Day
Next: December 10, 2026
Born free and equal, all of us.
The story
Where it comes from
Human Rights Day marks 10 December 1948, when the UN General Assembly, meeting in Paris, proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, it set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be protected everywhere. Eleanor Roosevelt chaired the drafting committee, with Peng Chun Chang of China as vice-chair. On 4 December 1950 the Assembly invited all countries to observe 10 December each year as Human Rights Day.
How it's celebrated
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Office of the High Commissioner coordinate the day, with events, talks and campaigns around the world. The UN shares videos of people reading the Declaration in more than 80 languages, and many people read it for themselves. Its first line makes a fine card: 'All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.'
Did you know
- The Declaration has been translated into more than 500 languages.
- Hansa Mehta of India is widely credited with changing 'All men are born free and equal' to 'All human beings are born free and equal' in Article 1.
- By 1950 the presidents of Bolivia, Ecuador, the United States and the Philippines had already proclaimed 10 December as Human Rights Day.
Coming up next
- International Mountain Day · December 11, 2026
- UNICEF's Birthday · December 11, 2026
- Kanji Day · December 12, 2026
- International Universal Health Coverage Day · December 12, 2026
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- Werner von Siemens's Birthday · December 13, 2026