World Religion Day2026 · Date · History
Bahá’í World News Service states that World Religion Day was initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and is commemorated on the third Sunday in January to foster interfaith understanding.
About World Religion Day
World Religion Day is a Bahá’í-initiated interfaith observance held on the third Sunday in January. Its purpose is commonly framed around interfaith understanding and the shared pursuit of peace and unity.
Bahá’í World News Service says the observance was initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
Why World Religion Day matters
The day can provide a setting for respectful dialogue among people from different religious and belief traditions.
It should not be described as a holiday officially created or universally endorsed by all religions, governments or interfaith bodies.
History of World Religion Day
Bahá’í World News Service records that World Religion Day was initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
The observance is commemorated on the third Sunday in January and has been marked by Bahá’í communities and interfaith participants in many countries.
Under that rule, the 2026 date was January 18 and the 2027 date is January 17.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States
Bahá’í World News Service says World Religion Day was initiated in 1950 by this body.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States
The official Bahá’í source attributes initiation of the observance to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly.
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.
6 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe World Religion Day
Attend an interfaith event that clearly states who is hosting and welcomes respectful participation.
Learn about another tradition from authoritative sources or practitioners without reducing beliefs to stereotypes.
If organizing a discussion, set ground rules for dignity, voluntary participation and no pressure to disclose personal beliefs.
Use the day to support practical cooperation across communities while respecting theological differences.
Avoid presenting one faith’s interpretation as if it were a consensus statement from all religions.
World Religion Day Facts
World Religion Day was initiated in 1950.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States initiated the observance.
It is commemorated on the third Sunday in January.
World Religion Day 2026 fell on January 18.
The 2027 date is January 17.
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.
- Faith Context Respect.
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.
Bahá’í World News Service — World Religion Day (opens in a new tab)
Official Faith News Service
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 World Religion Day?
Third Sunday of January The documented recurrence rule is: Third Sunday of January.
Does World Religion Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is World Religion Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Bahá’í-initiated interfaith observance with worldwide community participation. 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 World Religion Day?
The reviewed sources identify National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is World Religion Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Bahá’í-initiated interfaith observance with worldwide community participation. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
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 2026-10-06.
When is World Religion Day?
It is commemorated on the third Sunday in January.
Who started World Religion Day?
Bahá’í World News Service says it was initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
Is it an official holiday of every religion?
No. It is a Bahá’í-initiated interfaith observance and should not be presented as universally established by all religions.
When is World Religion Day in 2027?
The third Sunday of January is January 17 in 2027.
How can it be observed respectfully?
Use transparent hosting, voluntary participation and accurate representations of different faith and belief traditions.
Other observances on January 17
These observances are also listed on January 17, 2027.
Cable Car Day
NFTA’s public-transport history feature identifies 17 January as National Cable Car Day and ties it to Andrew Smith Hallidie’s 1871 cable-car patent.
James Leonard Tagle Gordon Day
Republic Act No. 11217 declares January 17 every year as James Leonard Tagle Gordon Day, a special nonworking holiday in Olongapo City and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.