Important Days in February 2024: List of National and International Days

Important Days in February 2024: In India, the festival seasons are widely dispersed throughout the year, and in some areas, it appears that there is a festival every month. Everyone in India looks forward to February because it is the last month of the winter season. Also, February is home to several important national and international celebrations, festivals, and events. Let's look at it! 

The second month of the year has arrived. Important dates and days are observed to raise public awareness of the significance of holidays, days, etc. Certain events draw attention to issues like disease, poverty, etc., educating people about their importance and raising awareness. Check the list of important days and dates in February month to prepare for your competitive examination, like Banking, SSC etc.

List of Important Days, Events, and Festivals in February 2024

1 February- Interim Budget

The Union Budget 2024 is about to be completed as a whole. On Thursday, February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the interim budget before the general election.

1 February – Indian Coast Guard Day

On 1st February, the Indian Coast Guard celebrates its foundation day. This year, the Indian Coast Guard is celebrating its 46th Raising Day.  Indian Coast Guard has played a significant role in securing the Indian Coasts and enforcing regulations within the Maritime Zones of India

2 February – World Wetlands Day

Every year on 2nd February, World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in Ramsar, Iran. It was first celebrated in 1997. World Wetlands Day 2020 theme is 'Wetlands and biodiversity'.

2 February - RA Awareness Day

RA Awareness Day is Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day and is observed on 2 February to spread awareness for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

2 February – Surajkund Crafts Mela

Surajkund Crafts Mela is celebrated at Surajkund, District Faridabad, Haryana from 2nd February to  18th February 2024. It is a celebration of Indian folk traditions and cultural heritage. In this Mela, the richness, and diversity of handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural fabric of India are seen. It is one of the most famous fairs, organized every year in Surajkund, Haryana, Near Delhi, by Haryana Tourism Department to promote handicrafts items.

3 February- National Golden Retriever Day

In some countries, February 3rd is National Golden Retriever Day. There is a good reason why the Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds. They are ideal best friends for any dog lover and a cause for celebration and appreciation because of their placid disposition, intelligence, and playfulness.

4 February - World Cancer Day

Every year on 4 February World Cancer Day is observed globally and is celebrated by WHO to aware people of the disease Cancer and how to cure it. The 2020 theme was 'I Am and I Will'. According to WHO, the theme is an empowering call to action urging personal commitment and represents the power of individual action taken now to impact the future.

4 February - National Day of Sri Lanka

On 4 February every year, Sri Lanka's National Day is celebrated as Independence Day. Sri Lanka gained freedom from British rule on 4 February 1948.

4  February to 12 February - International Development Week

International Development Week (IDW) is celebrated from 6 February to 12 February and this year marks the 30th anniversary of International Development Week in Canada. This day informs about different roles and career paths in the international development sector. 

6 February: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed on 6 February to spread awareness and educate people about the consequences and problems that females face due to genital mutilation. The theme for 2023 was “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End FGM”.

6 February - Safer Internet Day 

This year, it is celebrated on 8 February. The day calls for all stakeholders to join together to make the internet a safer and better place for all, mainly for children and young people.

7 February to 14 February- Valentine's Week 2024

February, the month of love is on the calendar. The sky seems pink because of all the grand gestures in a row by the people in love.  While the main Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 14th of February, the additional occasions start from the 7th of February and go on till the 14th of February.

8 February- National Opera Day

Opera Day is celebrated every year on 8 February. An opera is a combination of acting, scenery, costumes, and dance. The term ‘opera’ in Italian means ‘work’, and the text is called the ‘libretto,’ which means “small book.” 

9 February- Baba Amte's Death Anniversary

Baba Amte was an Indian social worker and social activist. He was known particularly for his work for the rehabilitation and empowerment of people suffering from leprosy.

10 February - National Deworming Day

It is observed on 10 February. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India to make every child worm-free in the country.

10 February - World Pulses Day

 It is observed on 10 February to spread awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production. 

11 February - World Day of the Sick

It is observed on 11 February. The day was introduced by Pope John Paul II as a way for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from illness.

11 February - International Day of Women and Girls in Science

It is observed on 11 February to recognize the role of women and girls in science, not only as beneficiaries but also as agents of change. Therefore, the day focuses on achieving full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. Also, to achieve gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

12 February – Darwin Day

12 February is celebrated every year as Darwin Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of the father of evolutionary biology, Charles Darwin in 1809. This day highlights Darwin's contribution to evolutionary and plant science. In 2015, Darwin's ‘Origin of Species was voted the most influential academic book in history.

Charles Darwin: Theory of evolution and natural selection

12 February - Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

12 February is celebrated as the birthday of the most popular president in United States history namely Abraham Lincoln. This day is also known as Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, Abraham Lincoln Day, or Lincoln Day.

12 February - National Productivity Day

It is observed on 12 February annually to increase the productivity culture in India. It is celebrated by the National Productivity Council (NPC) with a theme. 

13 February - World Radio Day

World Radio Day is celebrated on 13 February to raise awareness about the importance of Radio. In several countries, it is the primary source for providing information.

13 February – Sarojini Naidu Birth Anniversary 

13th February is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the Nightingale of India i.e. Sarojini Naidu. She was born on 13 February 1879 in Hyderabad to scientist and philosopher Aghornath Chattopadhyaya and Barada Sundari Devi. She was the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress and also the first woman governor of an Indian state that is Governor of United Province which is now known as Uttar Pradesh.

13 February - International Epilepsy Day

 Every year the second Monday of February is observed as International Epilepsy Day, and this year it is celebrated on 14 February which coincides with Valentine's Day. The day spreads awareness and educates people about the facts of epilepsy and the urgent need for improved treatment, better care, and greater investment in research. 

National Youth Day: Theme, History, Celebrations, and Significance

14 February - Saint Valentine's Day

On 14 February every year, Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is observed. Valentine's Day is named after a Catholic priest named Saint Valentine who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century.

14 February- Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami, popular as Saraswati Puja in honour of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, is a festival that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated in Indian religions in different ways depending on the region.

14 February- World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day

Every year on February 14, there is a celebration called World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day to bring attention to and educate people about congenital heart defects.

16 February- World Anthropology Day

Every year on the third Thursday of February, World Anthropology Day is observed. And it occurs on February 16 this year. The day is designated to honour the untapped area and educate the general public about anthropology. However, let's first define anthropology before moving on to the history and significance of World Anthropology Day.

17 February to 27 February - Taj Mahotsav

On 17 February every year, Taj Mahotsav or Taj Festival is celebrated at Agra revealing the rich cultural heritage of our country. This festival in 2024 will begin on 17 February and last till 27 February 2023. No doubt, the Taj Mahal represents the magnificence of the Mughal era and displays the finest specimens of Indian craftsmanship.

20 February - Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day

Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day is celebrated on 20 February as on this day it gained the status of the Union Territory and was named Arunachal Pradesh. 

20 February- Mizoram Foundation Day

Every year on February 20, Mizoram, one of the northeastern Indian states, observes its Foundation Day. This marks the day in 1987 when the state became the official 23rd state of India.

20 February - World Day of Social Justice

World Day of Social Justice is observed every year on 20 February to encourage people to see how social justice affects poverty eradication. The main aim of this day is to achieve full employment and support for social integration. This day tackle issues like poverty, exclusion, and unemployment.

21 February - International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is celebrated annually on 21 February worldwide to aware of the diversity of the language and its variety. This day promotes the awareness of language and cultural diversity across the world. On 17 November 1999, it was first announced by UNESCO.

22 February - World Thinking Day

World Thinking Day is also known as Thinking Day and is observed on 22 February annually by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across 150 countries. 

23 February- World Peace and Understanding Day

Every year on February 23, World Understanding and Peace Day is celebrated. Actually, this day serves to remember Rotary International's inaugural convention. This gathering of businessmen was intended to be a place where their backgrounds didn't matter, which set off a series of developments that eventually resulted in the creation of Rotary International.

24 February – Central Excise Day

Central Excise Day is observed in India on 24 February every year to encourage the employees of the excise department to carry out the central excise duty in a better way to prevent corruption in the manufacturing business and to carry out the best possible exercise services in India.

26 February - Veer Savarkar's Death Anniversary

Every year, February 26 is observed as the death anniversary of Veer Savarkar. In February 1966, Savarkar gave up consuming food, water, and medicines. According to him, giving up life when one was no longer useful to society was better than waiting for death. He died on February 26, 1966.

27 February - World NGO Day

World NGO Day is dedicated to recognizing, celebrating, and honouring all non-governmental and non-profit organizations, and also the people behind them that contribute to society.

28 February – National Science Day

National Science Day is celebrated every year in India on 28 February to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by the Indian physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. He discovered the Raman Effect on 28 February 1928 and for this discovery, he was honored with the Nobel Prize in Physics subject in 1930.

28 February - Rare Disease Day

The day raises awareness and generates change for the people who are living with a rare disease, their families, and their carers

So, these are the National and International Days and Dates of February month 2024 that may help in the preparation for various competitive examinations.