UN Releases 'Calendar of Observances' App to Keep Track of International Days - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

UN Releases 'Calendar of Observances' App to Keep Track of International Days

by

The United Nations has released an app, created by three volunteers, to keep track of the United Nations observances such as World AIDS Day on December 1, or the International Day of Happiness on March 20th.

UN Calendar of Observances: Making a Difference allows users to import observances into the iPhone calendar and includes sharing options for email and social media.

Unapp

The app is the electronic version of the print United Nations Making a Difference 2013 Calendar, which highlights areas of UN achievements through high-resolution photos and text bullets. The electronic version was developed — at no cost to the United Nations — by United Nations Online volunteers Christopher Bell (New Zealand), Aveline Sodji (Canada) and Andrew Thornton (United Kingdom), working with the UN Department of Public Information (DPI). DPI staff and interns created app-specific icons and provided development support.

"Working for the United Nations in any capacity is an honour, but doing so on a voluntary basis—even in this small way—seems to be the purest way to give back to an organization committed to world peace, development and human rights", said Mr. Thornton, the coordinator of the volunteers.

UN Calendar of Observances: Making a Difference is a free download on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

whooleytoo Avatar
175 months ago
International Day of Happiness on March 20th.

Weird.. pretty sure we celebrate that on the 17th here in Ireland.. ;) Followed by the International Day of Headaches on the 18th.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
175 months ago
Thanks!

2nd paragraph: "UN Calendar of Observances: Making a Difference allows users to import observances into the iPhone calendar and includes sharing options for email and social media.”

(Import is all I’d need too—I doubt I’d use the app itself much.)


I am one of the three volunteers that worked on this application. It is nice to see people being nice about it (I had been reluctant to even look at the comments out of fear of it getting slammed). All three of us were working regular jobs and just spent our free time working on this application over the past few months (well, we started early September with the requirements). The sponsor at the United Nations is keen to hear how the application could be improved, I am not sure I understand the points above regarding ICS files ... but if someone would like to explain a little more I can make sure that the requirement makes it to the sponsor. I think they may be putting together another team of volunteers in 2013 to either extend it/replace it or something - or at the very least pull in 2014 data (we didnt have time to implement a server-side component that holds the data, but that might be something in a future version).

If you think you'd like to do some online volunteering yourself, please consider the UN

http://onlinevolunteering.org/en/index.html
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
175 months ago
Nice. It would be cool if they also added the option to import or subscribe to the calendar, so you can have the days right in the Calendar app.

EDIT: Looks like there's an option to import :)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nagromme Avatar
175 months ago
Nice. It would be cool if they also added the option to import or subscribe to the calendar, so you can have the days right in the Calendar app.
How about an ICS file that I can subscribe to.
I was thinking the same thing. It's not like it's hard to create a file to import into your Google Calendar or iCal or anything else. Plus, events can be added/edited automagically with that too.

PS: This is a sweet app.
2nd paragraph: "UN Calendar of Observances: Making a Difference allows users to import observances into the iPhone calendar and includes sharing options for email and social media.”

(Import is all I’d need too—I doubt I’d use the app itself much.)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
175 months ago
In response to the first request above for an ICS file, I posted a link to a calendar of UN observances. I have been subscribing to that calendar for some considerable time, and use the calendar on both my computer and tablet. I have no idea who is responsible for maintaining that ICS calendar, but there should be no need to duplicate effort. I suggest that the UN people responsible for the new iOS application cooperate with those behind the multi-platform ICS calendar, and work to keep it complete and up-to-date.


Thanks FFransis
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
175 months ago
How about an ICS file that I can subscribe to.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 27 on iPhone 17 1

iOS 27 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Saturday May 2, 2026 8:43 am PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and there are already many rumored features and changes for iPhones. The first developer beta of iOS 27 will likely be available immediately following the keynote, and a public beta typically follows in July. Following beta testing, the software update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...
Apple Announces 2026 Pride Band Watch Face and iPhone Wallpaper Article 2

iOS 26.5 Coming Soon With These New Features

Monday May 4, 2026 8:40 am PDT by
iOS 26.5 is expected to be released next week, following more than a month of beta testing. The update is relatively minor, but there are a couple of new features and changes across the operating system that we have recapped below. iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app and ads in the Apple Maps app, and it will include a new Pride wallpaper and a...
Related Apple News: Buyers Guide | Iphone | News | South Africa | Ipad