Chinese Language Day of United Nations on Guyu
Today, 20-Apr-2015, is Chinese Language Day of United Nations.
Chinese Language Day was established by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2010.
The day chosen is called Guyu (Gǔ Yǔ, 谷雨, Rain of Millet). It is 6th of 24 solar terms in traditional East Asian calendars. Cangjie (Cāng Jié, 仓颉) the inventor of Chinese characters invented the Chinese Characters on the day. UN decided to choose this day as Chinese Language Day to pay the tribute to Cangjie.
Guyu usually falls between 19-Apr to 21-Apr in Gregorian calendar. This year 2015, it is on 20-Apr, which is on same day in 2011 when it was chosen.
Language Days for other Languages.
| Language | Day | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | 18 December | General Assembly designates Arabic as the sixth official language of the United Nations in 1973 |
| Chinese | 20 April | Invention of Chinese characters by Cangjie |
| English | 23 April | William Shakespeare's birthday |
| French | 20 March | International Day of Francophonie |
| Russian | 6 June | Alexander Pushkin's birthday |
| Spanish | 12 October | Dia de la Hispanidad |