Observed every June 9, International Archives Day recognizes the archives, records and professionals who preserve evidence, heritage and shared memory for future generations.
International Archives Day is observed worldwide on June 9 every year to highlight the importance of archives and the people who preserve, organize and make records accessible. The date commemorates the founding of the International Council on Archives (ICA) on June 9, 1948.
Archives are far more than collections of old papers. They preserve letters, photographs, maps, government records, audio-visual material, business records, oral histories and digital files that help people understand the past and verify what happened. Reliable archives can support research, cultural identity, transparency, accountability and the protection of rights.
International Archives Day also brings attention to the work of archivists, records managers, conservators and other professionals responsible for protecting records from physical deterioration, technological obsolescence and permanent loss. Around the world, archives, libraries, museums, universities and cultural institutions often mark the occasion with exhibitions, tours, educational programmes and digital collections.
Origins, development, and the events that shaped this observance.
The origins of International Archives Day are closely connected with the International Council on Archives. The ICA was established on June 9, 1948, under the auspices of UNESCO, with the goal of encouraging international cooperation in the preservation, management and use of archives. The anniversary of that founding later became the date chosen for the worldwide observance.
Interest in establishing a day devoted specifically to archives grew during the early 2000s. At the International Congress on Archives in Vienna in 2004, participants adopted a resolution asking for greater international recognition of the importance and value of archives.
In 2005, UNESCO established the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, observed on October 27. While that day brought valuable attention to audiovisual records, the archival community continued to see a need for an observance covering the much wider range of documentary and archival heritage.
At its Annual General Meeting in 2007, the International Council on Archives decided that June 9 would be celebrated as International Archives Day. The first celebrations followed in 2008, coinciding with the ICA's 60th anniversary.
The observance later grew beyond a single day. In 2019, the ICA expanded its international campaign into International Archives Week, giving institutions more time to organize events, share collections and discuss issues such as preservation, access, accountability, heritage and digital records. International Archives Day remains June 9 at the centre of that wider celebration.
Practical ways to observe the day thoughtfully and meaningfully.
International Archives Day can be celebrated by anyone, not only archivists or historians. The most meaningful activities are those that encourage people to discover original records, protect important documents and understand how archives connect evidence from the past with decisions in the present.
Visit a local, regional or national archive and explore a collection that interests you. Many archival institutions offer reading rooms, exhibitions, guided tours or special programmes around International Archives Day. Seeing original letters, photographs, maps or official records can provide a much stronger connection to history than reading a summary of the same event.
Spend some time exploring a reputable online archive or digitized historical collection. Search for old photographs of your town, historic newspapers, maps, letters, public records or documents connected with a subject you care about. Digital collections make archival material available to people who may never be able to visit the physical institution that preserves it.
Use the day to organize documents, photographs and other records that tell your family's story. Identify people and dates in old photographs, place important papers in suitable folders, create digital backups and record useful context while relatives can still provide it. A photograph without names, dates or background information can become difficult for later generations to understand.
Choose one historical document, family photograph, letter, newspaper clipping or object with a documented story behind it and research its background. Turn what you discover into a short article, classroom presentation or social media post explaining what the record reveals and why preserving the original matters.
International Archives Day is also an opportunity to recognize the people who work behind the scenes to protect documentary evidence. Send a message of appreciation to an archivist, librarian, conservator, records manager, museum professional or volunteer who helps preserve and provide access to historical records.
Memorable details and useful context connected with International Archives Day.
Archives often work quietly in the background, yet they influence history, law, research and everyday life. These facts help explain why preserving trustworthy records is so important.
International Archives Day was not assigned an arbitrary date. June 9 was chosen because the International Council on Archives itself was founded on June 9, 1948.
Although the ICA began in 1948, International Archives Day was not designated until 2007, and the first official celebrations took place in 2008.
Archives can include photographs, maps, films, sound recordings, emails, databases and other digital records.
Archived records can provide evidence of ownership, identity, agreements and public decisions while supporting transparency and accountability.
Digital files can be lost when storage fails or formats become outdated, making proper digital preservation essential.
In 2019, the ICA expanded the campaign into International Archives Week to promote archives through more activities and events
Libraries mainly collect published materials, while archives often preserve unique original records created by people and organizations.
Important moments that shaped the day and its place in the calendar.
The International Council on Archives is established under the auspices of UNESCO. June 9 later becomes the date used for International Archives Day.
Participants at the International Congress on Archives in Vienna adopt a resolution calling for a dedicated international day recognizing the importance and value of archives.
UNESCO establishes World Day for Audiovisual Heritage on October 27, focusing attention on the preservation of audiovisual documentary heritage.
The ICA decides at its Annual General Meeting that June 9 will be celebrated as International Archives Day, choosing the anniversary of the organization's founding.
The first International Archives Day celebrations take place as the International Council on Archives marks its 60th anniversary.
The ICA expands the campaign from a single day into International Archives Week, while June 9 continues to be observed as International Archives Day.
Helpful answers about the date, meaning, and observance.
International Archives Day is observed every year on June 9.
June 9 was chosen because the International Council on Archives was founded on that date in 1948 under the auspices of UNESCO.
The International Council on Archives (ICA) established International Archives Day. The organization decided in 2007 that June 9 would become the annual observance.
The first International Archives Day celebrations took place in 2008, the year the ICA marked its 60th anniversary.
Its purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of records and archives, encourage long-term preservation and access, recognize archival professionals and show how archives contribute to heritage, memory, transparency and good governance.
An archive is a collection of records preserved because they have continuing value as evidence, information or historical memory. Archives may include documents, photographs, maps, audiovisual recordings and digital records.
You can visit an archive, explore an online collection, organize family documents, preserve old photographs, learn about digital preservation, share a historical record or thank an archivist or records professional for their work.
No. International Archives Day is specifically observed on June 9. International Archives Week is the wider campaign introduced by the ICA in 2019 to extend archival awareness activities across several days.
Archives preserve evidence of people, institutions, communities and events. They support historical research, cultural memory, accountability, access to information and the ability to verify decisions and claims from the past.
A library generally collects published books and other materials produced for distribution, while an archive typically preserves unique or original records created through the activities of people or organizations. Some institutions operate both library and archival collections.
Review important digital files such as photographs, scanned documents, family videos and research material. Give files meaningful names, organize them into clear folders and maintain backups in more than one safe location. Digital records require active care because storage devices, software and file formats can change over time. The transition from analogue to digital has become an important preservation challenge for archival institutions.
