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International Colour Day – March 21, 2024

International Color Day is celebrated every March 21, and we are going to show you how you can celebrate the day. Do you know that it has been 14 years since the idea for International Color Day was proposed by the Portuguese Color Association? International Color Day was created to celebrate color. The date was chosen as March 21, as it is the day of the equinox, which means the lengths of day and night are almost the same as the sun’s rays are straight on the equator. This day is celebrated by setting up exhibitions, science shows, and interactive programs for children, among other activities.

History of International Colour Day

Color has always made humans curious since the beginning of time. Aristotle believed that the colors came from heaven. He believed that the origin of all colors was black and white. However, it was in the 1660s when Issac Newton experimented with light and its different spectrums, that color became a topic of study. After 2000 years, Aristotle’s postulates were replaced by the ones Newton created. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a German novelist, playwright, and scientist argued that color was something that was perceived by individuals differently. He is well-known for his quote, “Colors are light’s sufferings and joy”. The distinction between primary and secondary colors was made by Jacob Christoph Le Blon.

In 2008, Maria Joao Durao, the president of the Portuguese Color Association, came up with a proposal to ‘Association Internationale de la Couleur (A.I.C.)’ for recognizing the importance of color and dedicating a day to it. In 2009, the proposal was accepted by the members. The date was chosen to be March 21 as it is the day of the equinox. Competitions, science fairs, art fairs, etc. are held to celebrate. In 2012, an art competition was held in Taipei, Taiwan for deciding on the logo for International Color Day. Hosana Yau of Hong Kong won the competition with his diagram of two circles that made an eye. Half of the circle consisted of rainbow colors and the other half was black. They represented light and darkness.

International Colour Day timeline

350 B.C.
The Theory by Aristotle

Aristotle states that the origins of all colors is black and white and that colors came from heaven.

1704
The Discovery by Newton

In his book “Opticks,” Issac Newton describes the phenomenon of the spectrum of light.

2008
A Day for Color Is Proposed

The Portuguese Color Association proposes a day dedicated to color.

2009
The International Color Day

International Color Day is created for the sole purpose of celebrating color.

International Colour Day FAQs

What is the color of March?

The color of March is Aquamarine. It represents Spring. It is also a symbol of youth and hope.

Is color actually color?

Actually, color does not exist. What exists is light, and how our brains perceive the light reflections.

How many colors exist in the world?

Scientists have determined in the labs that there are 10 million colors in the world.

International Colour Day Activities

  1. Participate in the events

    Take part in the exhibitions and webinars that are held on International Color Day and learn new things. This can be particularly useful for kids.

  2. Wear your National color

    Wear your national flag as a tee shirt or wrap the flag around you. Share your sense of patriotism even as you celebrate colors.

  3. Share it on social media

    Let everyone know you're celebrating this day. Take pictures of you taking part in International Color Day celebrations and share them on social media.

5 Intriguing Facts About Colors

  1. Blue is a favorite color

    The color blue is known to be the favorite of most people in the world.

  2. There’s a fear of color

    The fear of color is called Chromophobia.

  3. Women see color better

    There are two X chromosomes in women, and that helps them see certain spectrums better.

  4. Newborns see red first

    Since the color red has the longest wavelength, it is the first color that a baby sees.

  5. The gray before dark is a phenomenon

    The gray we see the second we turn off the lights is called eigengrau.

Why We Love International Colour Day

  1. It gives us a chance to appreciate color

    We live in a colorful world. But sometimes, we forget to appreciate all the colors around us. This day is a reminder to be grateful for color.

  2. It’s a day to engage family

    This day gives us a chance to participate in events with friends and family. It brings families closer.

  3. It improves our general knowledge

    The exhibitions and science fairs held on this day are educational. This can be beneficial for the kids.

International Colour Day dates

YearDateDay
2024March 21Thursday
2025March 21Friday
2026March 21Saturday
2027March 21Sunday
2028March 21Tuesday

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