December 10 marks the anniversary of the UN General Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the first global document to set out the fundamental rights and freedoms owed to every human being without distinction. In 1950, the General Assembly officially designated the date as the annual Human Rights Day. The Universal Declaration is one of the most translated documents in the world and forms the cornerstone of international human rights law, inspiring dozens of subsequent international and regional treaties. Human Rights Day is an occasion to renew the global commitment to human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination, and to spotlight pressing rights issues around the world. The UN and human rights organizations worldwide mark the day with awareness campaigns and advocacy initiatives, alongside talks and panels on issues such as freedom of expression, gender equality, and anti-discrimination. Many events also honor human rights defenders working on the front lines in different countries.