Global Handwashing Day Timeline

430 BCE

Preventable Plague

Ancient Athens is destroyed by a plague, which could have been prevented with simple handwashing hygiene

1847

Father of Hand Hygiene

Dr. Ignatz Semmelweis demonstrates that "childbed fever" is contagious and could be reduced by doctors washing their hands

1980s

Must Wash Hands

The first national hand hygiene guidelines are published