United Nations International Moon Day commemorated on July 20

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed International Moon Day on 20 July, the anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing in 1969. The resolution (A/RES/76/76) was adopted in December 2021 at the recommendation of the Moon Village Association and the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

The observance aims to celebrate the historic achievement of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, to highlight ongoing international cooperation in space, and to promote sustainable, peaceful lunar exploration. Annual activities worldwide include public lectures, exhibitions, astronomy events and educational programmes. The 2026 edition runs from 1 July to 31 October, with a flagship celebration in Bogotá, Colombia, and the theme “One Moon, One Vision, One Future.” Italy, among other nations, has organised local events linking science, culture and art.

The day also serves to remind the global community of future lunar ambitions such as NASA’s Artemis programme, China’s south‑pole projects and multinational missions, reinforcing the UN’s call for collaborative use of outer space.