International Day of the Unborn Child
The International Day of the Unborn Child is observed on March 25. It was established by Pope John Paul II to coincide with the Feast of the Annunciation.[1] John Paul II viewed the day as "a positive option in favour of life and the spread of a culture for life to guarantee respect for human dignity in every situation".
History
In 1993, El Salvador became the first nation to officially celebrate what was called a Day of the Right to Be Born.[2] Subsequently other countries have initiated official celebrations for the unborn, such as Argentina with Day of the Unborn in 1998, Chile with Day of the Conceived and Unborn in 1999, and Guatemala with the National Day of the Unborn, also in 1999. The 1999 celebration in Buenos Aires was joined by representatives of the Muslim, Orthodox and Jewish communities of Brazil.[3] The promotion of the International Day of the Unborn Child was endorsed by the Knights of Columbus.
