International Day for People of African Descent is a holiday observed annually on August 31st that promotes the contributions made by the African diaspora worldwide. It is a day to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent, which have recently been on the rise.

This day honors a diverse and vibrant international community while respecting their basic human rights. All human beings are born with dignity, basic human rights, and freedom. It is up to all of us to protect these rights. That is why this holiday is important and reflects the value of all of us as humans.

The History of International Day for People of African Descent

The International Decade for People of African Descent was launched in 2015 and ends in 2024. In 2020, just five years into this decade, the United Nations decided to create the International Day for People of African Descent.

This decision came after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the persistent structural inequalities and systemic racism in healthcare that have yet to be resolved.

Some Quick and Interesting Facts About Africa

You didn’t think we were going to cover International Day for People of African Descent without taking a few moments to talk about Africa and its culture, did you? We decided it was important to list some facts about Africa that we can now share with everyone.

• Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, and there are over 54 countries on it.
• Africa covers an area of over 30 million square kilometers.
• The most widely spoken languages in Africa are Arabic, English, Swahili, French, Berber, Hausa, and Portuguese.
• There are over 2,000 recognized languages spoken in Africa. That’s a quarter of all the world’s languages.
• During the Second Congo War, over 5 million people died.
• Approximately 9 out of 10 malaria cases in the world occur in Africa.
• Africa is home to one of the oldest universities in the world. The University of Timbuktu was established in the 10th century.

Observing International Day for People of African Descent

This day is for people to learn more about African history, culture, and heritage. This can be done by visiting museums or talking with people who have emigrated from Africa. It’s also a good day to enjoy African art. Everyone observing this holiday can let the world know about it by using the hashtag #InternationalDayForPeopleOfAfricanDescent on social media.