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17 February: what is celebrated today
17 February brings together a surprisingly diverse range of commemorations: from the resilience of the tourism sector after one of the worst global crises, to the urgent need to promote responsible gambling, the importance of orofacial development in childhood and, in the United States, the national tribute to its presidents. It is a day marked by recovery, prevention, health and civic memory; a reminder of how fragile structures can be—economic, social, biological or historical—and how societies find ways to protect, repair or
World Tourism Resilience Day
Every 17 February, tourism's capacity to withstand, adapt and reinvent itself in the face of global crises is recognised. The UN proclaimed this observance to underline tourism's multi-sector role as an economic driver, source of employment, cultural tool and essential means of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The memory of 2020 — the year without tourism — remains a point of reference. The pandemic paralysed travel, crushed income, worsened poverty in regions dependent on the sector and exposed its vulnerability. Yet it also showed its remarkable ability to recover: digital innovation, international partnerships, new sustainability policies and a transformative vision that aspires to tourism that is fairer and greener.
Institutions such as the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre promote preparedness strategies for disasters, climate change or health crises. This day invites governments, businesses and citizens to strengthen that resilience network which supports one of the planet's most interconnected sectors.
International Responsible Gambling Day
17 February also serves to highlight the risks of uncontrolled gambling — including online betting — and promote an ethical and healthy practice. Created in 2008 on the initiative of the EGBA, this day seeks to curb the advance of gambling addiction, a clinically recognised addiction that affects increasingly younger people.
Warning signs — the need to bet more, loss of control, concealment, debt — show how gambling can turn from entertainment into destructive compulsion. Documentaries, educational campaigns and strict regulations help raise awareness of the dangers of illegal gambling and the importance of firm policies to protect users.
This day advocates a culture in which playing is fun, without putting mental health or family wellbeing at risk.
World Orofacial Motricity Day
This observance, created in 2015 and dedicated to speech therapist Irene Marchesan, highlights the crucial role of speech and language therapists in child development. Orofacial motricity encompasses functions as basic as speaking, chewing or swallowing, all dependent on the musculature of the lips, tongue, jaw and palate.
Disorders in this area can affect not only communication, but also a child's diet and quality of life. Therefore, early assessment, interdisciplinary intervention and professional support are essential. The day invites people to raise the visibility of this branch of health — sometimes little known — and recognise the transformative impact of speech and language therapy.
Presidents' Day (United States)
On the third Monday in February, the United States celebrates a national holiday dedicated to honouring George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and all the presidents who have marked the country's history. The date coincides with the birth month of both leaders, symbols of foundation, unity and emancipation.
In addition to official ceremonies, for many the day is a midwinter break expressed through family activities and civic commemorations. Symbols such as Mount Rushmore — with the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln carved into granite — recall the historical dimension of this political leadership and its legacy in American identity.