About International Moon Day (IMD)
What is International Moon Day?
International Moon Day (IMD) is a United Nations-proclamed annual celebration held on July 20 to mark the anniversary of the first human landing on the Moon by Apollo 11 in 1969. IMD serves as a platform to educate, inspire, and promote awareness about the past, present, and future of sustainable lunar exploration and utilization.
How Did IMD Begin?
The Moon Village Association (MVA) played a pivotal role in advocating for the establishment of International Moon Day. In 2021, MVA proposed to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS), which led to the official proclamation of IMD by the United Nations General Assembly on December 9, 2021.
To oversee and coordinate this global celebration, MVA established the International Moon Day Group , responsible for organizing and managing the event worldwide.
Why Celebrate the Moon?
Lunar exploration began with Luna 2, a Soviet spacecraft that made the first impact on the Moon’s surface in 1959. Since then, missions from the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, China, India, Israel, and other nations have deepened our understanding of the Moon’s significance to Earth and our future in space.
The historic Apollo 11 landing on July 20, 1969, remains a defining moment in human history, demonstrating what is possible through collaboration, determination, and technological innovation.
Today, as humanity prepares for a sustainable return to the Moon, International Moon Day fosters global dialogue, collaboration, and public engagement, ensuring that lunar exploration benefits all of humanity.
How is IMD Celebrated?
International Moon Day consists of two main components:
- IMD Main Event – A central event featuring expert discussions, keynote speeches, and celebrations.
- IMD Global Events – A worldwide network of events organized by governments, space agencies, institutions, and the public. These events take place across multiple countries and in various formats, including in-person, hybrid, and online activities.
Through these events, IMD promotes education, innovation, cultural exchange, and international cooperation, inspiring future generations to dream big and explore beyond Earth.
Join us in celebrating International Moon Day and be part of the movement shaping humanity’s future in space!
UNOOSA recognition
Read more about the recognition of the International Moon Day by the United Nations at the UNOOSA website:
https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/outreach/events/imd/international-moon-day.html
20 July was chosen as International Moon Day to honour the anniversary of the first landing of humans on the Moon. This was accomplished by the Apollo 11 mission, during which Neil Armstrong and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin set foot on the Moon’s surface as the first humans while Michael Collins awaited their return in the Columbia Command Module in Moon orbit. This marked a historic feat in Moon exploration and paved the way for future research and discovery.
International Moon Day was proclaimed to celebrate the achievements of all States in the exploration of the Moon. It additionally aims to raise public awareness about sustainable Moon exploration and utilisation.
The UNGA’s decision was made after a proposal by the Moon Village Association, which was endorsed by COPUOS