The International Day of Democracy is observed on September 15 to promote and uphold democratic principles. The UN General Assembly created the day in 2007 through a consensus resolution, and it was first marked in 2008. The date links to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which adopted the Universal Declaration on Democracy in September 1997. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) guarantees freedom of opinion and expression, including the right to seek, receive and share information. The 2026 theme is "When every voice counts, democracy delivers".