When is the International Translation Day celebrated every year?

International Translation Day is a day recognizing translation professionals. It is celebrated on 30th September, which is the day of the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator who is considered the patron saint of translators.

On 24 May 2017, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution declaring 30th September International Translation Day, recognizing the role of professional translation in connecting nations. The draft resolution was signed by eleven countries: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Paraguay, Qatar, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam. In addition to the International Federation of Translators (FIT), the adoption of the resolution was advocated for by several other organizations, including International Association of Conference Interpreters, Critical Link International, International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters, Red T, World Association of Sign Language Interpreters.

The celebrations have been promoted by International Federation of Translators since its establishment in 1953. In 1991 FIT launched the idea of an officially recognized International Translation Day to show solidarity with the worldwide translation community in an effort to promote translation as a profession that has become increasingly essential in the era of globalization.