The United Nations adopted October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. About 10 months later, the world observed the first-ever International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 1991.
According to the United Nations, "the international community started to highlight the situation of older persons" by adopting the "World Assembly on Aging."
The U.N. seeks to promote "the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by older persons."