International Day for Monuments and Sites observed on April 18

Key facts

• The International Day for Monuments and Sites, also referred to as World Heritage Day, is observed on April 18.
• The observance was first proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) during a symposium in Tunisia on April 18, 1982.
• The General Assembly of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved the proposal in 1983 during its 22nd session.
• The date April 18 marks the anniversary of the Second International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historic Monuments held in Venice in 1964.
• The Venice Charter, which established fundamental international principles for the conservation and restoration of monuments and sites, was adopted during the 1964 Venice congress.
• The event is supported by national committees in over 100 countries.