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GIS Day is an annual event celebrated on the second Wednesday of November. In 2024, it will be observed on November 13. Geography plays a crucial role in everyday life, and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology helps connect maps to information. GIS enables us to visualize and understand patterns and their relationships. It can capture, display, and analyze location data, which aids in making informed decisions. GIS Day celebrates both the technology behind Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the many ways users apply the software to analyze data and solve problems.
“The application of GIS is limited only by the imagination of those who use it.” – Jack Dangermond
GIS Day Observance
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | November 13 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | November 12 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | November 11 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | November 10 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | November 8 | Wednesday |
History of GIS Day
GIS Day has been celebrated since 1999. Ralph Nader is credited with the creation of this day. The first GIS Day was held on November 19, 1999, by the National Geographic Society (NGS), the Association of American Geographers (AAG), and ESRI. Since then, every third Wednesday of November has been designated as GIS Day. Ralph Nader believed that this celebration would serve as a great initiative for people to learn about geography and its applications.
GIS (Geographic Information System) is a computer-based tool and service that captures, stores, checks, and displays information related to positions on Earth’s surface. It is an information system that integrates, stores, edits, analyzes, shares, and displays geographic data.
The purpose of GIS Day is to celebrate GIS and showcase its uses. It also aims to highlight the benefits of Geographic Information Systems and foster community engagement. The day brings together universities, schools, government agencies, non-profits, and professionals to promote knowledge of GIS in communities, creating a better understanding of the world around us. GIS Day helps people gain a spatial understanding of the planet.
The principal sponsors of GIS Day include the National Geographic Society, University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS), Association of American Geographers (AAG), United States Geological Survey, Library of Congress, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and ESRI.
Other Celebrations on November 13
November 13 is also celebrated as
How to Celebrate GIS Day
Learn more about Geographic Information Systems (GIS), its applications, and its uses. Participate in local celebrations to discover the benefits of GIS. Educate children in schools by organizing events and activities such as Geocaching. Discuss GIS and its applications with them through presentations to help them better understand the concept. Share your celebration on social media using the hashtag #GISDay.