May 16 is the International Day of Light
Celebrating light
The International Day of Light is an annual, global initiative celebrating light and the role it plays in science, culture and art, education, and sustainable development. Communities worldwide participate in activities that demonstrate how light in all its applications can help achieve the goals of UNESCO – education, equality, and peace.
The International Day of Light is held on 16 May every year because it is the anniversary of the first successful operation of a laser in 1960 by Theodore Maiman. The laser is a perfect example of how a scientific discovery can yield revolutionary benefits to society in communications, healthcare, and many other fields.
IDL resources
Official IDL website
Learn everything you need to know about IDL and how you can participate in the celebration.
IDL logos & downloads
Plan your own annual celebration of 16 May and light with these various resources designed to help create an event.
IDL event calendar
Want to join in the celebration at an existing event? Find all the scheduled activities from around the world on the IDL website.
Goals of the International Day of Light
Improve the public understanding of how light and light-based technologies touch the daily lives of everybody, and are central to the future development of the global society.
Emphasize the importance of basic research in the fundamental science of light, the need for investment in light-based technology to develop new applications, and the global necessity to promote careers in science and engineering in these fields.
Promote the importance of lighting technology and the need for access to light and energy infrastructure in sustainable development, and for improving quality of life in the developing world.
Raise awareness that technologies and design can play an important role in the achievement of greater energy efficiency, in particular by limiting energy waste, and in the reduction of light pollution, which is key to the preservation of dark skies.
Build worldwide educational capacity through activities targeted on science for young people, addressing issues of gender balance, and focusing especially on developing countries and emerging economies.
Highlight and explain the intimate link between light and art and culture, enhancing the role of optical technology to preserve cultural heritage.
Enhance international cooperation by acting as a central information resource for activities coordinated by learned societies, NGOs, government agencies, educational establishments, industry, and other partners.