International Day of Light

This day celebrates the contribution of light and light-based technologies to various fields and areas of life including arts and culture, education, medicine, communication, science and sustainable development. The day commemorates the anniversary of physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman’s first successful laser operation in 1960. The day is observed by the United Nations and administered by UNESCOs International Basic Science Programme. It is celebrated through events and forums organised by people inside and outside the scientific community.