World Rivers Day was established in 2005 during the United Nations Water for Life Decade. It is celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of September. Initiated by renowned Canadian river advocate Mark Angelo, the day is celebrated in over 70 countries.
😆 A fun suggestion: While World Rivers Day isn’t officially a celebration of Rivers Cuomo, the lead singer and guitarist of the American rock band Weezer, or others named Rivers, there’s no reason you can’t give them a nod on this day too if you know someone by that name!
The purpose of this day is to highlight the importance of rivers. It also strives to increase public awareness and encourage the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Events on this day focus on educating the public about the critical role rivers play in supporting biodiversity and human livelihoods. Each year often has a specific theme, focusing on different aspects of river conservation.
What do people do on World Rivers Day? Well, activities vary a lot but they include river clean-ups, habitat restoration, nature walks, paddle events, school projects, art displays, and even music festivals.
When Is World Rivers Day Observed?
Celebrated on the fourth Sunday in September every year, World Rivers Day serves as an opportunity to bring communities together to learn about the importance of river ecosystems. So you never miss out, here’s a table with the date and weekday of World Rivers Day up to year 2030.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | September 22, Sunday |
| 2025 | September 28, Sunday |
| 2026 | September 27, Sunday |
| 2027 | September 26, Sunday |
| 2028 | September 24, Sunday |
| 2029 | September 23, Sunday |
| 2030 | September 22, Sunday |
Interesting Facts About Rivers
Rivers are fascinating natural features that play crucial roles in ecosystems, cultures, and economies around the world. But how much do you know about them? But how well do you really know these dynamic natural wonders? Here are some astonishing facts about rivers that are sure to blow your mind:
- The Amazon River releases so much water into the Atlantic Ocean that it alters the salinity of the sea up to 100 miles from shore. This immense river can also be as wide as 24 miles during the rainy season. [Source: National Geographic]
- Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is home to hidden underground rivers formed in limestone caves, creating a network of subterranean passageways and stunning natural sinkholes.
- The Ganges River in India supports more than 140 fish species and 90 amphibian species, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
- The Nile River is famously known as the longest river in the world and was crucial to the development of the Egyptian civilization. Its annual floods enriched the soil along its banks, allowing Egypt to thrive as an agricultural empire.
- The heat from a power plant in New York heats the Hudson River, creating an artificially warm environment that has altered the local ecosystem, demonstrating how human activity can impact river temperatures and biological life.
- The Volga River in Russia is so integral to Russian history and culture that it is often referred to as the national river of Russia. It has been celebrated in numerous Russian songs, paintings, and literature.
- The Mississippi River, flowing through ten U.S. states, is a key conduit for transporting agricultural and industrial goods, influencing both the U.S. economy and global trade. Approximately 60% of all grain exported from the U.S. is shipped via the Mississippi River.
Sources: National Geographic, BBC Earth, Britannica
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
