Even though chemical warfare has been used since ancient times, it wasn’t deployed on a large scale until WWI. During this war, several different chemical weapons were used with horrible effects on the soldiers exposed to them. Since the first world war, chemical weapons continued to be used in one form or another around the world-despite them being banned by both the 1925 Geneva Protocol and the 1972 Biological & Toxin Weapons Convention.

Chemical weapons have caused untold misery all through history, and that’s why the United Nations has made The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare an annual event observed every November 30th. On this day, all efforts to rid the world of chemical weapons should be intensified and all past victims should be honored.

The History Of Day Of Remembrance For All Victims Of Chemical Warfare

This annual event was created on November 11, 2005, during the UN Tenth Session of the Conference of the State Parties. This day was created followed a suggestion by the Director-General of the Secretariat, Rogelio Pfirter.

Another one of Pfirter’s suggestions, erecting a monument at the Hague to remember all victims of chemical warfare, was also approved. April 29th was initially chosen for this holiday, but that was changed to November 30th in 2015.

Observing Day Of Remembrance For All Victims Of Chemical Warfare

On this day, the general public is asked to give a moment of silence to all of the victims of chemical warfare that has occurred throughout the world and throughout history. People also spend the day visiting some of the monuments dedicated to the victims of chemical warfare-with the most notable one being at the OPCW Headquarters in the Hague. This is also a day for governments and international organizations to renew their commitment to ending chemical weapons once and for all.