Programmers Day

Keerthana Ramasamy
Dec 22, 2023 By Keerthana Ramasamy
Originally Published on Feb 26, 2022
Fact-checked by Gowri Rao
Learn about the International Programmers Day celebration here at Kidadl.

Where is Programmers Day celebrated?

Programmers Day is officially recognized in Russia, but as many countries celebrate the day so it got recognized as International Programmers Day.

Who is Programmers Day celebrated by?

International Programmers Day is also known as a Day of the Programmers. So, if you have ever been a programmer, be it a learning phase or an advanced career, this is the day for you.

When did Programmers Day first start?

Programmers Day was launched in Russia in 2007 as an international day to honor programmers all around the world.

Who started Programmers Day?

In 2002, the idea of an International Programmers Day was put forth by Russian programmers to declare the Day of the Programmers. Later in 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a petition for the 'Day of the Programmer' to be celebrated on the 256th day of each year.

History And Timeline

Now that we have learned about the day of programmers, let's dig into the history of International Programmers Day. 

Idea Of Programmers Day

In 2002, Russian programmers at Parallel Technologies, Valentin Balt and Michael Cherviakov, proposed the idea of a national day for programmers.

2002

Signatures

During these years, specifically in early 2002, the founders gathered signatures for a petition to submit to recognize the Day of the Programmers.

2002-2007

Programmers Day Proposal

Valentin and Michael submitted the gathered signatures to the Russian government to declare a Day of the Programmers.

2007

New Professional Holiday

On July 24, 2009, the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media of Russia revealed a draft indicating the possibility of a new professional holiday known as the Day of the Programmer.

July 24, 2009

International Programmers Day

On September 11, 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the official documentation, declaring International Programmers Day, a day in honor of innovators and programmers.

September 11, 2009

Traditions And Customs

Greet your fellow programmers with positive comments like 'Happy Programmers Day', connect with your programming communities in online forums or social media, and send wishes as codes on your profiles.

To honor the day, all you need to do is appreciate the incredible work of innovators who enjoy every digital thing. Then, finally, post and share your celebrations on social media.

Ways To Observe Or Celebrate Programmers Day

The simple way to celebrate International Programmers Day is to honor the programmers you know for their valuable work.

It is the best day to host a binary-themed lunch party in your office and send postcards in ASCII code. Finally, to extend the fun, hold a contest for the best programming joke.

If you are not a programmer but love innovation and coding, try to develop basic programming skills on Programmers Day by taking an online tutorial, practicing with simple tools, or asking a programmer friend to help out.

Facts And Stats

  • Though celebrated internationally, International Programmers Day was officially observed in Russia by two Russian programmers, Valentin and Michael.
  • There is a reason for celebrating September 13 as International Programmers Day. It's actually the 256th day of the year, which is on September 13 during common years and September 12 during leap years. The number 256 is two power eight in binary code; it was chosen because it is the number of distinct values that can be represented with a byte, a value well known to programmers.
  • International Programmers Day is not a public holiday but an observance recognized by many countries.
  • Before September 13, International Programmers Day was unofficially celebrated on January 7; but it has become rare now.
  • International Programmers Day is celebrated on October 24 in China. The reason behind choosing the date is that it can also be written as 1024, equal to 2 powers of 10, which corresponds to the binary prefix. Besides, it is a consistent date every year, regardless of leap years.

How does celebrating Programmers Day support the tech industry?

Programs or codes aren't just driving the rise of cloud computing and connected devices like a computer; its accessibility and growth come from programmers' ability to write the code that influences the technology. Celebrating International Programmers Day to honor programmers and innovators encourages them to be a change in the industry.

How can we celebrate Programmers Day with our office colleagues?

When entering the office, wish each other a Happy Programmers Day, or send them wishes in code. In addition, decorate your office space with zeros and ones, and make a visible and appealing binary decoration to show off in video calls.

Who encouraged the celebration of Programmers Day?

Russian programmers Valentin Balt and Michael Cherviakov proposed the idea of Programmers Day in 2007.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Sunday, September 13, 2020
  • Monday, September 13, 2021
  • Tuesday, September 13, 2022
  • Wednesday, September 13, 2023
  • Friday, September 13, 2024

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Sources

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/programmers-day/

https://happydays365.org/international-programmers-day/international-programmers-day-september-13/amp/

https://nationaltoday.com/programmers-day/amp/

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/world/international-programmers-day

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Written by Keerthana Ramasamy

Bachelor of Engineering specializing in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Keerthana Ramasamy picture

Keerthana RamasamyBachelor of Engineering specializing in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

With a background in electrical and electronics engineering from Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Keerthana brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative flair to her role as a content writer. Her natural curiosity and passion for exploring new career paths led her to the exciting world of content marketing, where she has honed her content optimization, SEO, and Google Analytics skills. Keerthana's experience as a Content Marketing Specialist at GetMyUni has provided her with hands-on experience in digital marketing and editing, allowing her to create engaging and impactful content.

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Fact-checked by Gowri Rao

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Economics

Gowri Rao picture

Gowri RaoBachelor of Arts specializing in Economics

With a bachelor's degree in Economics from Krea University, Gowri is a highly skilled data analyst and an expert in regression and causation modeling. Her interests in economic trends, finance, and investment research complement her professional expertise. In addition to her professional pursuits, Gowri enjoys swimming, running, and playing the drums, and she is also a talented tutor.

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