World Engineering Day
Next: March 4, 2027
Thank the people who build the world.
The story
Where it comes from
World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development falls on the founding day of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations. On 4 March 1968, representatives of 50 scientific and technical associations met in Paris under the auspices of UNESCO to create it. For its 50th anniversary in 2018 the federation proposed the date as an international day, and UNESCO's General Conference proclaimed it in November 2019. It has been celebrated every 4 March since 2020.
How it's celebrated
Engineering bodies, universities, schools and companies hold talks, open days and competitions, and UNESCO and the federation host a main event, usually in Paris. The day shines a light on the work behind clean water, power, bridges and the internet, and on the need for more engineers. It is a good day to thank one, or to show a child how something works.
Did you know
- The federation brings together engineering organisations from some 100 nations, representing more than 30 million engineers.
- Its organisers like to say that on 4 March, engineers 'March Forth' to a sustainable future.
- More than 400 celebrations in over 80 countries were held for the first World Engineering Day in 2020.
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- Mothering Sunday · March 7, 2027
- The Telephone Patent · March 7, 2027
- International Women's Day · March 8, 2027
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