World Digital Preservation Day, celebrated annually on the first Thursday of November, is a day dedicated to the preservation of digital resources. The heritage we celebrate, share, and pass on to future generations is increasingly being created and stored digitally, which makes digital preservation an essential tool for cultural endurance and continuity in the digital age.
The day was first conceptualized by the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) and launched in 2017, with a focused objective to recognize and highlight the work done globally to ‘Preserve Digital Heritage.’ The initiative gained significant attention globally and led to extensive participation from organizations and individuals passionate about digital preservation.
Over the years, World Digital Preservation Day has evolved from just being a day of awareness to a global event that brings together digital preservation enthusiasts through webinars, workshops, blogs, and social media events. Various themes like ‘At-Risk Digital Materials’ and ‘Building Digital Resilience’ have directed the discourse in the past.
The celebration usually unfolds with sharing of digital preservation stories, appreciating the work of digital preservationists, and engaging with the broader audience to spread the importance of preserving digital heritage. The sense of urgency embedded in the concept of digital preservation is acutely relevant, especially considering the rapidly changing digital era we live in.
Overall, the evolution of World Digital Preservation Day indicates a growing global consciousness about the importance of preserving our digital assets. It is a beacon encouraging us all to care for our digital heritage and ensure its safe-keeping for our future generations.