International Day of Radiology2026 · Date · History
European Society of Radiology (ESR), American College of Radiology (ACR) and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
About International Day of Radiology
International Day of Radiology is observed on November 8 to highlight radiology, medical imaging and the work of radiology professionals.
It was launched in 2012 as a joint initiative of the European Society of Radiology, the Radiological Society of North America and the American College of Radiology.
Why International Day of Radiology matters
The day is a professional medical-society awareness initiative rather than a government or UN-designated holiday.
Its public purpose is educational: explaining how radiology and medical imaging contribute to patient care while keeping individual medical decisions with qualified healthcare professionals.
History of International Day of Radiology
ESR, RSNA and ACR launched the first International Day of Radiology on November 8, 2012.
November 8 was selected because Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays on November 8, 1895.
The three professional organizations continue to promote the annual observance and educational resources.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
European Society of Radiology (ESR), Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and American College of Radiology (ACR)
The 2012 IDoR material identifies the observance as a joint initiative of ESR, RSNA and ACR.
First documented observance
2012 professional material identifies November 8, 2012 as the first International Day of Radiology.
European Society of Radiology (ESR), Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and American College of Radiology (ACR)
Current professional material continues to present the annual observance as a joint ESR/RSNA/ACR initiative.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Day of Radiology
Explore patient-friendly information about common imaging methods from professional radiology organizations.
Recognize radiologists, radiographers, technologists, medical physicists and other professionals involved in imaging care.
Use historical exhibits or teaching material to explain the discovery of X-rays and the development of medical imaging.
Keep any personal diagnosis, screening or treatment questions separate from observance content and discuss them with an appropriate healthcare professional.
International Day of Radiology Facts
International Day of Radiology is observed on November 8.
The first edition was launched in 2012.
ESR, RSNA and ACR created the initiative together.
November 8 marks the date of Röntgen’s 1895 discovery of X-rays.
The observance is a professional-society initiative rather than a statutory public holiday.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
RadiologyInfo.org / RSNA and ACR (opens in a new tab)
RSNA (opens in a new tab)
RSNA / ACR (opens in a new tab)
International Day of Radiology — official site (opens in a new tab)
Organizer Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day of Radiology?
8 November The documented recurrence rule is: 8 November.
Does International Day of Radiology fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day of Radiology an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Organizer-backed international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day of Radiology?
The documented basis is: European Society of Radiology (ESR), American College of Radiology (ACR) and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Supporting evidence includes International Day of Radiology — official site. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is International Day of Radiology international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: Organizer-backed international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When is International Day of Radiology?
It is observed on November 8 each year.
Who started International Day of Radiology?
The European Society of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology launched it together.
When was the first International Day of Radiology?
The first edition was held on November 8, 2012.
Why November 8?
November 8 is the anniversary of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen’s discovery of X-rays in 1895.
Other observances on November 8
These observances are also listed on November 8, 2026.
Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day
The first-party Wellcat Holidays calendar lists Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day on November 8 and identifies the collection as created by Thomas and Ruth Roy.
National STEM/STEAM Day
The American Association of School Librarians notes that National STEM/STEAM Day was founded in 2015 by MGA Entertainment and is associated with 8 November.
Parents as Teachers Day
Parents as Teachers National Center identifies 8 November as Parents as Teachers Day; its earlier first-party announcement used “National Parents as Teachers Day” and says the observance ha…
Remembrance Sunday
UK government and Royal British Legion material place Remembrance Sunday on the second Sunday in November; in 2026 that falls on 8 November.
World Pianist Day
The official World Pianist Day project identifies Ivan Manko-Vertogradov as creator, November 8, 2014 as the first edition and the 8×11/88-key date symbolism.