International Day of Sign Languages2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/72/161
About International Day of Sign Languages
The International Day of Sign Languages is observed on 23 September. The United Nations created the day to raise awareness of the importance of sign languages in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf.
Sign languages are natural languages with their own structures. The guide avoids treating one sign language as universal and distinguishes national or community sign languages from International Sign.
Why International Day of Sign Languages matters
Language access affects education, public services, cultural participation and the ability to communicate on equal terms. Recognition of sign languages is therefore both a linguistic and rights issue.
Deaf communities are diverse, and preferred terminology, languages and communication methods vary. Observance content should not prescribe one identity or communication choice for everyone.
History of International Day of Sign Languages
The proposal for an International Day of Sign Languages came from the World Federation of the Deaf. The draft resolution was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda, co-sponsored by 97 UN Member States and adopted by consensus by the General Assembly in 2017 as A/RES/72/161.
The date 23 September commemorates the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951. The first International Day of Sign Languages was celebrated in 2018 as part of the International Week of the Deaf.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)
The proposal for an International Day of Sign Languages came from the World Federation of the Deaf.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/72/161
First documented observance
The first International Day of Sign Languages was celebrated in 2018 as part of the International Week of the Deaf.
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.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Day of Sign Languages
Learn which sign language or languages are used in your country or community rather than assuming they are universal.
Check whether public information, events or videos provide appropriate sign-language access.
Support Deaf-led organizations and use their guidance when discussing language and culture.
Learn the difference between sign languages and manually coded forms of spoken language.
Avoid using disability-awareness content to speak over the people whose language rights are being discussed.
International Day of Sign Languages Facts
For International Day of Sign Languages, the International Day of Sign Languages is observed on 23 September.
The World Federation of the Deaf proposed the observance.
Antigua and Barbuda sponsored the UN resolution, which was co-sponsored by 97 Member States and adopted by consensus in 2017.
23 September marks the World Federation of the Deaf’s 1951 establishment.
The first observance was celebrated in 2018.
International Day of Sign Languages Messages
May International Day of Sign Languages encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
Wishing everyone observing International Day of Sign Languages a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On International Day of Sign Languages, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
International Day of Sign Languages Quotes
“Sign languages are fully fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages.”
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.
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/72/161 action record (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/72/161 documentation (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day of Sign Languages (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — List of International Days and Weeks (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Observances: who chooses them and how (opens in a new tab)
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 Sign Languages?
23 September The documented recurrence rule is: 23 September.
Does International Day of Sign Languages fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day of Sign Languages an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations / 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 Sign Languages?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as World Federation of the Deaf (WFD).
Is International Day of Sign Languages international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations / 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.
Who proposed the International Day of Sign Languages?
The proposal came from the World Federation of the Deaf. Antigua and Barbuda sponsored the UN resolution, which was co-sponsored by 97 Member States and adopted by consensus.
Why is it on 23 September?
The date commemorates the establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf on 23 September 1951.
When was the first celebration?
The first International Day of Sign Languages was celebrated in 2018 as part of the International Week of the Deaf.
Is there one universal sign language?
No. Deaf communities use many natural sign languages; International Sign is used in some international settings but does not replace national and community sign languages.
How this differs from closely related observances
These distinctions use the cited evidence to clarify scope without treating related observances as identical.
Is International Day of Sign Languages the same as International Mother Language Day?
The International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September specifically highlights sign languages, Deaf communities and language rights. International Mother Language Day on 21 February addresses linguistic and cultural diversity more broadly across spoken, signed and other community languages.
Open International Mother Language Day →Distinction sources
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