The International Music Council (IMC), a non-governmental organization operating under UNESCO's auspices, adopted October 1 as International Music Day at its 15th General Assembly in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1973, with the first official celebration held on October 1, 1975. The day highlights music's role as a universal form of human communication that transcends language, culture, and geography. It promotes artistic exchange among musicians and peoples worldwide and encourages accessible music education for everyone, regardless of social or economic background. Opera houses, music schools, and broadcasters around the world mark the day with free concerts, educational workshops, and special radio and television programming celebrating the diversity and shared heritage of music.