11 November: what is celebrated today

Singles' Day

Singles' Day, born in 1993 at the University of Nanjing, was originally conceived as a celebration of individual pride. In China, the number 1 symbolises a person on their own, and the date 11/11 — four ones — became a nod to being single and personal freedom.

However, the day evolved beyond the sentimental. What began as an irony in response to Valentine's Day became a global economic phenomenon. Platforms such as Alibaba turned “Double Eleven” into an empire of offers, even surpassing Black Friday figures. Today, amid memes, sales and messages of self-love, Singles' Day embodies the modern paradox: shopping to celebrate oneself.

World Shopping Day

A direct heir to Singles' Day, World Shopping Day celebrates the power of global consumption. Physical and digital shops launch thousands of promotions, opening the discount season that will culminate in Black Friday.

Behind the commercial euphoria, this observance reveals a new way of relating to desire. Shopping is no longer just acquiring — it is taking part in a collective ritual of immediacy. However, more and more voices are proposing that Shopping Day become an opportunity to rethink consumption habits, practise responsible shopping and support small brands.

World Origami Day

From Japan to the rest of the world, World Origami Day celebrates an ancient art that turns a simple sheet of paper into visual poetry. Between 24 October and 11 November, thousands of enthusiasts fold cranes, frogs or flowers in honour of creativity and peace.

Origami teaches that perfection is born from the fold, that mistakes can be reinvented and that patience is also a form of beauty. In a time dominated by screens, this day revives the manual gesture, concentration and calm: the art of creating with the minimum.

Remembrance Day or Poppy Day

In Commonwealth countries, Remembrance Day honours the soldiers and civilians who died in the First and Second World Wars. At 11:00 on 11 November, a minute's silence is observed: the exact hour when the fighting ceased in 1918.

The universal symbol of the date is the red poppy, inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields by the Canadian doctor John McCrae. Each petal recalls the fragility of life and the need not to repeat the mistakes of the past. It is a day of respect and remembrance, but also of hope for peace.

Veterans Day

In the United States, Veterans Day shares its origins with Remembrance Day, but with a different focus: paying tribute in life to those who have served in the armed forces. Since 1954, it has been commemorated with ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery and offerings at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Beyond patriotism, the day seeks to make the invisible wounds of return visible: trauma, loneliness and reintegration into civilian society. Remembering veterans means recognising that peace does not end when war ends.

International Week of Science and Peace

From 9 to 15 November, the UN celebrates the International Week of Science and Peace, a space to highlight how scientific research can build bridges where there were once borders. The initiative began in 1986, during the International Year of Peace, and seeks to foster cooperation among scientists from around the world.

Every conference, experiment or project shared during this week is a reminder that knowledge is also an instrument of reconciliation.

World Quality Week

World Quality Week is also celebrated around these dates, promoted by the UK's Chartered Quality Institute. Its 2024 motto, “Quality: from compliance to performance”, underlines companies' evolution towards ethical and sustainable excellence.

Quality is not only a technical standard: it is a commitment to respect for consumers, continuous improvement and trust. During this week, companies and professionals review processes, assess their impact and remember that doing things well is not a luxury, but a responsibility.