UNESCO proclaimed September 8 as International Literacy Day on October 26, 1966, at the 14th session of its General Conference, following the Tehran Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy, attended by representatives from 88 countries. The day was first observed in 1967. The day reminds governments, policymakers, and the public that literacy is essential for individuals and communities, and is foundational to building more just, peaceful, and sustainable societies. Despite significant global progress, hundreds of millions of adults, the majority of them women, still lack basic reading and writing skills. UNESCO and member states mark the day by honoring successful literacy initiatives through international prizes, and by holding conferences and awareness campaigns addressing issues such as digital literacy, adult literacy, and girls' education.