International Translation Day2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/71/288
About International Translation Day
International Translation Day is observed on 30 September. The United Nations recognizes the work of translators, interpreters and other language professionals in supporting communication, cooperation and multilingual public life.
The guide distinguishes professional language work from automatic translation tools and does not assume that one translation method is appropriate for every legal, medical, literary or technical context.
Why International Translation Day matters
Translation involves meaning, context, terminology, audience and purpose, not simply replacing words one-for-one. Interpretation, terminology work and translation also involve different professional practices.
For high-stakes material, quality assurance and qualified human expertise may be important; an observance page should not certify the accuracy of a particular translation service.
History of International Translation Day
The International Federation of Translators (FIT) had already established and promoted International Translation Day on 30 September before United Nations recognition. FIT’s current history records establishment in 1991, and UN material describes annual FIT observance from that year.
On 24 May 2017, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 and declared 30 September International Translation Day across the UN system.
The United Nations explains that 30 September is the feast day of St. Jerome, a translator of the Bible who is traditionally regarded as the patron saint of translators. Because official FIT sources use different wording about the earliest celebration, this guide does not assert a single first-observance year.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
International Translation Day as observed by the International Federation of Translators (FIT)
FIT and the translation community observed 30 September as International Translation Day before the UN General Assembly formally declared the date as a United Nations international day in 2017.
International Federation of Translators (FIT)
FIT's institutional history records establishment of International Translation Day on 30 September in 1991. This professional-federation origin is kept distinct from the United Nations General Assembly's 2017 formal declaration of the UN observance.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution 71/288
International Federation of Translators (FIT)
FIT continues to organize and coordinate annual International Translation Day programming and themes; its 2026 observance page identifies the FIT External Partnerships Standing Committee as preparing and organizing the annual webinar.
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
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
How to Observe International Translation Day
Compare two published translations of the same short passage and discuss the choices each translator made.
Learn the difference between translation, interpreting, localization and terminology work.
Explore how institutions support multilingual access for public information.
Credit translators when a publication provides their names.
For legal, medical or other high-stakes content, use qualified services appropriate to the jurisdiction and context.
International Translation Day Facts
The documented calendar date for International Translation Day is 30 September.
FIT documented an annual professional-community observance before formal UN recognition.
The UN General Assembly declared the day through resolution 71/288 in 2017.
30 September is associated with St. Jerome, traditionally considered the patron saint of translators.
The exact earliest celebration year is kept unresolved because reviewed FIT sources use conflicting historical wording.
The observance recognizes language professionals including translation-related work.
International Translation Day Messages
Today, may International Translation Day turn a simple thank-you into lasting respect for the people and work being recognized.
May International Translation Day bring thoughtful appreciation to work and contributions that are easy to overlook but important to communities.
Wishing everyone marking International Translation Day a day of genuine recognition, respect and gratitude.
International Translation Day Quotes
“Through translation, we learn, communicate, and unite around these values.”
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.
un.org — authoritative source (opens in a new tab)
International Federation of Translators — 25 May 2017 ITD press release / conflicting 1953 claim (opens in a new tab)
International Federation of Translators — FIT through history (opens in a new tab)
International Federation of Translators — International Translation Day (opens in a new tab)
International Federation of Translators — International Translation Day 2026 (opens in a new tab)
International Federation of Translators — Translatio 2022/3 / annual celebration since 1991 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — One world united through language / pre-UN FIT observance history (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 Translation Day?
30 September The documented recurrence rule is: 30 September.
Does International Translation Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Translation Day 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 Translation Day?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as International Federation of Translators (FIT). Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as International Federation of Translators (FIT).
Is International Translation Day 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.
Why is International Translation Day on 30 September?
The United Nations explains that 30 September is the feast of St. Jerome, a translator traditionally regarded as the patron saint of translators.
Which resolution established the UN observance?
The General Assembly declared 30 September International Translation Day through resolution 71/288 in 2017.
Is translation the same as interpreting?
No. They are related language professions but involve different modes of communication and professional practice.
How this differs from closely related observances
These distinctions use the cited evidence to clarify scope without treating related observances as identical.
Is International Translation Day the same as International Mother Language Day?
International Translation Day on 30 September recognizes translators, interpreters and other language professionals and their role in communication between languages. International Mother Language Day on 21 February focuses more broadly on linguistic diversity, multilingualism and the preservation and use of languages.
Open International Mother Language Day →Distinction sources
Other observances on September 30
These observances are also listed on September 30, 2027.
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