0 saved#5,801 of 6,224

GIS Day

Unfold the world around you this GIS Day! Discover the power of mapping and how it shapes our lives daily. Let's traverse digital landscapes together!

Wednesday

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATEThird Wednesday in November

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYTech

SUBCATEGORYSoftware

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Mark your calendars for an exciting journey as we celebrate GIS Day on November 20! GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a modern marvel that has revolutionized mapping and continues to play an integral role in our daily lives. The roots of this special day go back to 1999 when it was first initiated by ESRI, a renowned international supplier of GIS software. Ever since, it has grown into a worldwide event with people participating from different corners of our planet. Community outreach, open houses, map galleries, geo-quests - there's no limit to how we can celebrate GIS Day. So, join us as we uncover the hidden stories of our fascinating world through the vivid and informative lens of GIS!

TIMELINE

GIS Day Timeline

Invention of GIS

Roger Tomlinson, known as the "father of GIS," invented the concept while working for the Canadian government.

First GIS Software

The first operational GIS was developed by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI).

GIS Goes Digital

The evolution of digital mapping technologies in the 1990s facilitated a new era for GIS, making it more user-friendly and accessible.

First GIS Day

ESRI President and Co-founder Jack Dangermond inaugurated the first GIS Day with Ralph Nader, promoting the awareness of digital geography and geospatial information in society.

Popularity and Accessibility

The use of GIS tools became more popular and accessible with the rise of smartphones and GPS technology, increasing participation in GIS Day activities.

GIS Day Goes Virtual

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the GIS Day events went virtual, which provided opportunities for a more global participation.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate GIS Day

Host a GIS-themed trivia night

Gather your friends, family, or colleagues and host a trivia night focused entirely on geographic concepts and GIS. It's a fun way to educate them about the significance of spatial thinking in our daily lives.

ANIMATE

Animate your map

Utilize GIS software to animate your own dynamic map depicting certain phenomena, historical events, or ongoing processes. Sharing your creation on social media could inspire others to appreciate the power of GIS.

PARTICIPATE

Participate in a Geo-Quest

Engage in a real-life adventure by participating in a Geo-Quest or Geo-Caching. These games overlay physical terrain with digital information, leading participants on a quest using GPS coordinates.

ARRANGE

Arrange an interactive GIS workshop

Partner with schools and community organizations to host a GIS workshop. This could be an engaging way to introduce more people to the world of digital mapping and spatial analysis.

CURATE

Curate a map gallery

Collect some of the most interesting, informative, and stunning map examples created using GIS. Offer viewers a window into the diverse applications and infinite possibilities of GIS.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why GIS Day is Important

It Fosters Community Engagement

GIS Day encourages community engagement through various interactive activities such as Geo-Quests, trivia nights, and GIS workshops. It offers a unique opportunity for individuals and communities to come together and learn about the world around them.

It Increases Geographic Literacy

Generally, the understanding of geographic concepts and spatial relationships is lacking among the public. GIS Day provides a platform to raise the awareness and improve geographic literacy in a fun and engaging way.

It Showcases the Power of GIS

GIS technology has drastically altered how we collect, view, and analyze geographical data, making it an invaluable and powerful tool in various fields. GIS Day is a great time to showcase this power, by highlighting extraordinary GIS applications and innovations.