World Tourism Day: the history and key events of September 27

World Tourism Day is observed every year on September 27. The day aims to spread awareness of the importance of tourism worldwide and its economic, cultural, social and environmental impact. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) first began marking the day in 1980. Tourism is considered one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world and a major source of job creation, economic growth and cultural exchange.

Tourism offers the chance to experience different cultures, traditions and natural beauty. Because tourism plays a big role in building unity and mutual understanding between countries, the day carries added significance. The theme for World Tourism Day in 2023 was "Tourism and Green Investments," promoting sustainable and eco-friendly tourism.

September 27 has also seen many significant events in the history of India and the world. In 1777, the city of Lancaster became the capital of the United States for a single day. In 1821, Mexico won independence from Spain. In 1825, the Stockton and Darlington Railway began the world's first passenger rail service. In 1854, the steamship SS Arctic sank in the Atlantic Ocean, killing around 300 people. In 1905, Albert Einstein first put forward the equation E=mc2, while in 1908 production of the Ford Model T began.

In 1925, Dr. Keshav Hedgewar founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In 1940, a typhoon on the Japanese island of Honshu killed 5,000 people. In 1958, Mihir Sen became the first Asian swimmer to cross the English Channel. In 1961, Sierra Leone was admitted to the United Nations. In 1996, the Taliban captured Kabul, President Burhanuddin Rabbani fled, and Najibullah was hanged in the street. In 2003, the SMART-1 satellite was launched; in 2007, NASA launched the Dawn probe to the asteroid belt; and in 2014, Mount Ontake erupted in Japan.

The day has also seen the birth of several notable figures. King Louis XIII of France was born in 1601, and American revolutionary Samuel Adams was born in 1722. Indian revolutionary Bhagat Singh and music critic Vamanrao Deshpande were born in 1907. Filmmaker and director Yash Chopra was born in 1933, and Indian spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi was born in 1953. Cricketers Gavin Larsen (1962), Pankaj Dharmani (1974), Lakshmipathy Balaji (1981) and Brendon McCullum (1981) were also born on this day.

September 27 has also seen the deaths of several notable figures. Social reformer and founder of the Brahmo Samaj, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, died in 1833. French painter Edgar Degas died in 1917, and writer and journalist Shi. M. Paranjape died in 1929. Indian mathematician and librarian S.R. Ranganathan died in 1972, and chemist Tiruvenkata Rajendra Seshadri died in 1975. Padma Shri-winning social worker Anutai Wagh died in 1992. Afghan President Najibullah died in 1996. Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Dr. Mabelle Arole died in 1999, and classical vocalist Shobha Gurtu died in 2004. Playback singer Mahendra Kapoor died in 2008, director and screenwriter Sanjay Surkar died in 2012, and writer and politician Syed Ahmed died in 2015.