UN French Language Day and International Francophonie Day
UN French Language Day and International Francophonie Day is held on March 20. Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. This event in the second decade of the month March is annual. 
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The French geographer, Onésime Reclus, first coined the term Francophonie in the nineteenth century. The term never really caught on until the 1960s when Léopold Senghor, first president of Sénégal, used it consistently. La Francophonie is a group of 88 states and member governments and observers that share French as a common language, as well as values in common. It is an important player in international relations that represents 1 billion people, including 300 million Francophones, on the five continents.
The UN French Language Day, observed annually on 20 March, was established by the UN's Department of Public Information in 2010.
The day is observed to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organization. The United Nations celebrates six “Language Days” each year, devoted to the six official languages of the United Nations, which are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. This day recognizes the potential of languages and cultures to unite people and create spaces of solidarity and understanding.
Similar holidays and events, festivals and interesting facts
International Road Courtesy Week on March 19
International Artisan's Day on March 19
World Sparrow Day on March 20
World Storytelling Day on March 20
World Head Injury Awareness Day on March 20
World Fairy Tale Day on March 20 (arose on the initiative of Sweden in 1991);
International Without Meat Day on March 20 (This holiday was observed for the first time in 1985 in the USA as Great American Meatout);
International Macaroon Day on March 20 (macaroon is a French confectionery made from egg whites, sugar and ground almonds. Usually made in the form of cookies; put cream or jam between two layers);
World Frog Day on March 20 (celebrated since 2009);
World Flour Day on March 20
International Colour Day on March 21 (The adoption of an international day of colour was proposed in 2008 by the Portuguese Color Association, whose president, Maria Joao Durao, presented the idea to the International Colour Association. The proposal was agreed in 2009 among the members of this society, which is composed of national associations and members representing more than 30 countries);
World Planting Day on March 21
World Office Storage Day on March 21
World Puppetry Day on March 21
Education Freedom Day on March 21 (The first Education Freedom Day was observed on January 17, 2013. The date, however, had to later be changed due to incompatibilities with local holidays such as Chinese New Year and summer holidays when schools are closed. Presently it is observed in March. In 2016, EFD was observed on March 21. Event organization is handled by DFF and volunteers around the world. Volunteers are encouraged to organize events that benefit local educational communities)