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World heritage sites are natural or manmade sites of global importance, the monumental presence of which continues to define our standards in the perception of the natural world and our civilisation. Acknowledging such sites and monuments on a global scale is an act that inspires and unifies our generations, emphasising that the evolution of our species is fundamentally based on previous human achievements, as well as that we need to maintain a pure relationship with our natural environment.

Read about UNESCO's World Heritage mission

The suggestion to celebrate World Heritage on April 18 was first made on the 18th of April 1982, at the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) symposium in Tunisia. This suggestion was subsequently approved by the Executive commitee, as well as by the UNESCO General Conference in 1983.
Read more about World Heritage Day.

To promote the universal concept of World Heritage, ICOMOS suggests some ideas on how to celebrate World Heritage Day:

• Visits to monuments and sites, and restoration works, possibly with free admission
• Articles in newspapers and magazines, as well as television and radio broadcasts
• Hanging banners in town squares or principal traffic arteries calling attention to the day and the preservation of cultural heritage
• Inviting local and foreign experts and personalities for conferences and interviews
• Organising discussions in cultural-centres, city halls, and other public spaces
• Exhibitions (photos, paintings, etc)
• Publication of books, post-cards, stamps, posters
• Awarding prizes to organisations or persons who have made an outstanding contribution to the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage or produced an excellent publication on the subject.
• Inaugurate a recently restored monument
• Special awareness raising activities amongst school children and youth
• Promotion of 'twinning' opportunities between organizations, defining areas for co-operation; exchange of speakers; organisation of meetings and seminars, or the editing of joint publications.