May 16th International Day of Light

Light plays a central role in our lives. At its most basic level, through photosynthesis, light is the origin of life itself.

Light is life! Life on our planet cannot exist without light. It is therefore unsurprising that, across cultures, light is a universal symbol of life, inclusion, and renewal. Light is associated with illumination, or spiritual awakening; light allows us to see each other and the world around us.

Unesco International Day of Light is celebrated on May 16, the anniversary of the laser's first successful operation in 1960 by physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman. This day, an initiative of UNESCO in 2017, is a call to strengthen scientific cooperation and harness its potential to promote peace and sustainable development.