World Vegetarian Day | |
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Official name | World Vegetarian Day |
Observed by | Vegetarians across the planet |
Significance | First day of Vegetarian Awareness Month (month of October) |
Celebrations | Local, regional, and national groups organize events to promote the desirability and benefits of vegetarian practices. |
Date | October 1 |
Next time | 1 October 2023 |
Frequency | annual |
Related to | Vegetarian Awareness Month,[1] World Farm Animals Day,[2] International Vegetarian Week (IVW),[3] International Vegan Day also known as World Vegan Day, International Vegetarian Day[citation needed] |
World Vegetarian Day is observed annually around the planet on October 1. It is a day of celebration established by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978, "To promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism." It brings awareness to the ethical, environmental, health, and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.[4][5] World Vegetarian Day initiates the month of October as Vegetarian Awareness Month, which ends with November 1, World Vegan Day, as the end of that month of celebration.[6][7] Vegetarian Awareness Month has been known variously as "Reverence for Life" month, "Month of Vegetarian Food", and more.[8]
Several additional days of vegetarian significance are included in or on the edge of Vegetarian Awareness Month:[9]
Meatless Monday is part of the Healthy Monday initiative.[43] Healthy Monday encourages Americans to make healthier decisions at the start of every week. Other Healthy Monday campaigns include: Do The Monday 2000, Quit and Stay Quit Monday, Move it Monday, Monday Mile and others.
Various graphic and artistic representations are used; there is no one logo to represent World Vegetarian Day. Some of the other dates within Vegetarian Awareness Month have their own logos, or a series of logo representations, if they are sponsored in part or totally by identifiable organizations.[44]
See also: Vegetarianism and religion |
There is a common practice for some Chinese people to be vegetarian twice a lunar month - the first day and the 15th day of each lunar month. (初一)﹑(十五). The 15th day of each lunar month is the day/night with full moon. Local vegetarian restaurants are particularly busy on those 2 days. The origin of such practice is related to religious beliefs.[citation needed]