UK awareness days and key dates
Awareness days, weeks and months, with bank holidays and the big commercial dates. Pick a country and the types you need, then subscribe in your own calendar.
Running all month
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month 1 to 30 September 2049
- Catch the Bus Month 1 to 30 September 2049
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 1 to 30 September 2049
- Doors Open Days (Scotland) 1 to 30 September 2049
- Gynae Cancer Awareness Month 1 to 30 September 2049
- Open Doors (Wales) 1 to 30 September 2049
- Organic September 1 to 30 September 2049
- Pain Awareness Month 1 to 30 September 2049
- Scottish Food and Drink September 1 to 30 September 2049
- Season of Creation 1 September to 4 October 2049
- Second Hand September 1 to 30 September 2049
- Sourdough September 1 to 30 September 2049
- Urology Awareness Month 1 to 30 September 2049
- World Alzheimer's Month 1 to 30 September 2049
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Wednesday 1 September 2049
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Blood Cancer Awareness Month
A UK month every September that raises the profile of blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
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Catch the Bus Month
A September campaign by Bus Users UK that encourages people to try the bus and challenges outdated views of bus travel.
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Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Held every September to raise awareness of cancer in children and young people, with the gold ribbon as its symbol.
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Doors Open Days (Scotland)
Scotland's free festival of buildings and heritage, held through September, when venues open their doors and run tours and events.
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Gynae Cancer Awareness Month
Gynae Cancer Awareness Month takes place every September to raise awareness of the five gynaecological cancers and their symptoms.
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Love Lamb Week
A UK campaign held 1 to 7 September each year to promote British lamb and the sheep farmers who produce it.
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Open Doors (Wales)
A free festival through September when historic sites and community buildings across Wales open to visitors, often with special events.
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Organic September
The Soil Association's month long campaign each September encouraging shoppers to try organic food and drink and make simple organic swaps.
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Pain Awareness Month
Pain Awareness Month runs every September to raise awareness of chronic pain, with campaigns led by patient groups and pain research bodies.
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Scottish Food and Drink September
A month long campaign each September promoting food and drink produced in Scotland, run by Scotland Food and Drink. It replaced the former Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight.
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Season of Creation
An ecumenical Christian season from 1 September to 4 October focused on prayer and action for the care of the natural world.
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Second Hand September
Oxfam's campaign through September asking people to buy and donate second-hand clothes instead of new ones.
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Sourdough September
Sourdough September is the Real Bread Campaign's month-long push every September to get people baking and buying genuine sourdough from independent bakeries.
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Urology Awareness Month
A UK campaign each September that raises awareness of urology conditions, from bladder, kidney and prostate cancers to incontinence and kidney stones.
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World Alzheimer's Month
A global campaign held every September to raise awareness of dementia and challenge the stigma around it.
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Blood Cancer Awareness Month
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Thursday 2 September 2049
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World Coconut Day
World Coconut Day on 2 September highlights the coconut's role in food security, farm livelihoods and climate resilience in growing countries.
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World Coconut Day
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Saturday 4 September 2049
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Braemar Gathering
A Highland games held on the first Saturday of September in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, with heavy events, piping, dancing and races.
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International Vulture Awareness Day
Held on the first Saturday of September to raise awareness of vultures, their role in nature and the threats they face.
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Braemar Gathering
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Sunday 5 September 2049
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International Day of Charity
The International Day of Charity on 5 September encourages people and organisations to help others through volunteering and giving.
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International Day of the World's Indigenous Women and Girls
On 5 September the UN highlights the leadership, contributions and challenges of Indigenous women and girls around the world.
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International Day of Charity
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Monday 6 September 2049
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Know Your Numbers! Week
A UK week each September that encourages adults to check their blood pressure and know their numbers.
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National Payroll Week
A UK week in early September that highlights the work of payroll professionals, held from 7 to 11 September in 2026.
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Zero Waste Week
A grassroots campaign in the first full working week of September that helps households and businesses cut waste, held 7 to 11 September in 2026.
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Know Your Numbers! Week
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Tuesday 7 September 2049
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International Day of Clean Air for blue skies
The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on 7 September calls for faster action to cut air pollution for health and climate.
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International Day of Police Cooperation
The International Day of Police Cooperation on 7 September highlights the value of international cooperation between police forces.
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World Duchenne Awareness Day
World Duchenne Awareness Day on 7 September raises awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and the needs of people with rare diseases.
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World Salami Day
World Salami Day, on 7 September, is an informal food day used by delis, charcuterie makers and retailers to promote salami and cured meats.
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International Day of Clean Air for blue skies
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Wednesday 8 September 2049
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Back British Farming Day
An NFU day each September celebrating British food and farming and asking the public and politicians to support home grown produce. In 2026 it was 9 September.
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International Literacy Day
International Literacy Day on 8 September highlights literacy as a human right and the millions of people who still cannot read and write.
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World Physiotherapy Day
A global day on 8 September highlighting how physiotherapists help people stay active and independent.
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Back British Farming Day
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Thursday 9 September 2049
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International Day to Protect Education from Attack
On 9 September the UN calls for schools, students and teachers to be protected from attack during conflict.
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International Day to Protect Education from Attack
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Friday 10 September 2049
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World Suicide Prevention Day
A global day on 10 September that raises awareness that suicide can be prevented and encourages action to reduce it.
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World Suicide Prevention Day
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Saturday 11 September 2049
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Open House Festival
A London festival in September when buildings across all 33 boroughs open to the public for free, held from 12 to 20 September in 2026.
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Open House Festival
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Sunday 12 September 2049
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United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
On 12 September the UN celebrates cooperation and the sharing of solutions between developing countries of the Global South.
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United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
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Monday 13 September 2049
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Gas Safety Week
An annual UK week raising awareness of gas safety and carbon monoxide risks at home, held 14 to 20 September in 2026.
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International Chocolate Day
International Chocolate Day is held on 13 September, the birthday of US chocolate maker Milton Hershey, and is separate from World Chocolate Day on 7 July.
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Jeans for Genes
Jeans for Genes is the annual fundraising campaign for people with genetic conditions, when supporters wear jeans, held 14 to 20 September in 2026.
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National Home Improvement Week
National Home Improvement Week is held in the second full week of September and helps UK homes get ready for winter.
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Recycle Week
A UK week every September encouraging households to recycle more and recycle right, held 14 to 20 September in 2026.
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Sexual Health Week
A UK week in September from the charity Brook on sexual health and relationships.
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World Sepsis Day
A global day on 13 September that raises awareness of sepsis, how to prevent it and the need for early treatment.
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Gas Safety Week
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Wednesday 15 September 2049
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International Day of Democracy
The International Day of Democracy on 15 September is a chance to review the state of democracy around the world.
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International Dot Day
International Dot Day, held on or around 15 September, invites schools and families to celebrate creativity and courage inspired by the book The Dot.
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National Fitness Day
A UK day in September led by ukactive, when gyms, leisure centres and sports clubs offer free activities.
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World Lymphoma Awareness Day
A global day on 15 September that raises awareness of lymphoma symptoms, diagnosis and life with the disease.
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International Day of Democracy
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Thursday 16 September 2049
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Cask Ale Week
An annual September celebration of cask beer in British pubs, with free tasters, tap takeovers and brewery events. In 2026 it ran 17 to 27 September.
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European Mobility Week
European Mobility Week runs from 16 to 22 September each year, encouraging towns and cities to promote walking, cycling and public transport.
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International Day for Interventional Cardiology
The International Day for Interventional Cardiology on 16 September raises awareness of heart disease and treatments such as angioplasty.
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International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
On 16 September the UN celebrates efforts to protect the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful solar radiation.
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International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South
On 16 September the UN promotes science and innovation in developing countries and calls for fairer access to technology.
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Cask Ale Week
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Friday 17 September 2049
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Great British Beach Clean
The Marine Conservation Society's week of volunteer beach cleans and litter surveys each September, held 18 to 27 September in 2026.
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World Patient Safety Day
World Patient Safety Day on 17 September promotes action to make health care safer for patients everywhere.
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Great British Beach Clean
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Saturday 18 September 2049
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International Coastal Cleanup
The International Coastal Cleanup, started by Ocean Conservancy, sees volunteers clear rubbish from beaches and waterways on the third Saturday of September.
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International Equal Pay Day
International Equal Pay Day on 18 September calls for equal pay for work of equal value.
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International Red Panda Day
Held on the third Saturday of September to celebrate red pandas and raise support for protecting them in the wild.
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International Coastal Cleanup
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Sunday 19 September 2049
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International Talk Like a Pirate Day
International Talk Like a Pirate Day on 19 September is a light-hearted day when people are invited to speak like pirates for fun.
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International Talk Like a Pirate Day
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Monday 20 September 2049
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Adult Learners' Week (Wales)
A week in September celebrating lifelong learning in Wales, held from 21 to 27 September in 2026.
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Fairtrade Fortnight
A two-week campaign promoting Fairtrade products and fair pay for farmers and workers, held 21 September to 4 October in 2026.
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Migraine Awareness Week
A UK week in late September run by The Migraine Trust to show the real impact of migraine, held 21 to 27 September in 2026.
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National Eye Health Week
A UK week in late September promoting good eye health and regular sight tests, held 21 to 27 September in 2026.
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National Inclusion Week
A UK week each September that encourages employers to celebrate and take action on inclusion at work.
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Organ Donation Week
A UK week in September from NHS Blood and Transplant urging people to record their organ donation decision.
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World Cleanup Day
World Cleanup Day on 20 September encourages communities everywhere to clean up litter and manage waste sustainably.
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Adult Learners' Week (Wales)
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Tuesday 21 September 2049
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International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace on 21 September promotes peace as a human right and calls for a day of non-violence and ceasefire.
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World Alzheimer's Day
A global awareness day for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, held on 21 September each year.
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International Day of Peace
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Wednesday 22 September 2049
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World Rhino Day
Held on 22 September, World Rhino Day celebrates all five rhino species and supports efforts to protect them.
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World Rhino Day
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Thursday 23 September 2049
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Bi Visibility Day
A day on 23 September celebrating bisexual people and challenging bi erasure.
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International Day of Sign Languages
The International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September promotes the recognition of sign languages and the rights of deaf people.
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Bi Visibility Day
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Friday 24 September 2049
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Macmillan Coffee Morning
A UK fundraising day, usually the last Friday of September, when people host coffee mornings to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
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World Gorilla Day
Held on 24 September, World Gorilla Day celebrates gorillas and encourages action to protect them in the wild.
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Macmillan Coffee Morning
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Saturday 25 September 2049
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British Food Fortnight
An annual autumn celebration of British food and produce, held 26 September to 11 October in 2026.
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World Lung Day
A global day on 25 September that promotes lung health and action on air pollution, smoking and access to care.
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World Pharmacists Day
A global day on 25 September recognising the role of pharmacists in health care.
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British Food Fortnight
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Sunday 26 September 2049
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European Day of Languages
The European Day of Languages on 26 September promotes language learning and linguistic diversity across Europe, and has been held every year since 2001.
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International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
On 26 September the UN raises awareness of the threat nuclear weapons pose and calls for a world free of them.
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World Contraception Day
A global day on 26 September that promotes awareness of contraception and informed choices about sexual health.
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World Environmental Health Day
Held on 26 September to highlight the work of environmental health professionals in protecting communities from health hazards.
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World Rivers Day
Held on the fourth Sunday of September, World Rivers Day celebrates rivers and encourages people to help protect and restore them.
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European Day of Languages
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Monday 27 September 2049
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Fire Door Safety Week
A UK campaign in late September that explains how fire doors work and urges people to check, report and keep them closed.
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World Tourism Day
World Tourism Day on 27 September highlights the role of tourism in jobs, culture and sustainable development.
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Fire Door Safety Week
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Tuesday 28 September 2049
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International Day for Universal Access to Information
On 28 September the UN promotes everyone's right to seek, receive and share information.
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World Rabies Day
Marked on 28 September, World Rabies Day raises awareness of rabies prevention, including dog vaccination, and supports the goal of ending human deaths from the disease.
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International Day for Universal Access to Information
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Wednesday 29 September 2049
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International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
On 29 September the UN encourages action to reduce the food lost on farms and in supply chains and wasted in shops and homes.
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World Heart Day
A global day on 29 September that raises awareness of heart disease and stroke and how to prevent them.
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International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
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Thursday 30 September 2049
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International Podcast Day
International Podcast Day on 30 September celebrates podcasts, with meet-ups and events for podcasters and listeners around the world.
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International Translation Day
International Translation Day on 30 September pays tribute to translators, interpreters and other language professionals.
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International Podcast Day