On November 16, 1995, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Member States adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance.

And in 1996, the UN General Assembly invited UN Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance on November 16.

The International Day for Tolerance is observed to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance.

Every year various events are organized on the occasion of International Day for Tolerance.