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Celebrate the National Day of Civic Hacking on September 18 and join in the mission to make our communities better! This day was created to bring together citizens, software developers, entrepreneurs, and government employees with a shared goal of using their skills to improve local communities. The possibilities are endless – from creating apps that help people find resources in their area, to designing websites that make it easier for citizens to access public information. It's an amazing way to show your civic pride while having fun and making a difference!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1974</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Early Civic Hacking</div><div class='timeline-text'>The beginnings of civic hacking could be traced back to the 1970s, as passionate computer programmers start to utilize technology to tackle public issues.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2002</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Open Source Initiative</div><div class='timeline-text'>Open Source Initiative is established aiming at promoting and protecting open source software and communities, a principle highly valued in the civic hacking culture.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2008</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Open Government Directive</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Open Government Directive is issued by the White House to create a culture of transparency, participation, and collaboration in and with the federal government, facilitating more civic engagement.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Code for America Accelerators</div><div class='timeline-text'>The formation of Code for America Accelerators, a program focusing on applying modern technology practices to delivering government services, marks another significant milestone in civic tech evolution.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First National Day of Civic Hacking</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first National Day of Civic Hacking takes place, organized by the White House, with widespread participation from local communities, cities, and even some national organizations.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a hackathon</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather together people from all walks of life to develop new and innovative solutions to community problems. This is a great way to get people involved in civic hacking and to help the community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Identify open data sources</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Research existing open data sources and determine how to use them to help solve problems in the community. Open data can be used to create maps, visualize trends, and more.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create an app</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Design an app that can improve or simplify the experience of dealing with local government or other civic needs. This could be anything from a voter registration app to a real time bus tracker.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Join a local group</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a local civic hacking group and join them for their next event or project. This is a great way to network with other likeminded individuals and learn more about civic hacking.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a blog</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Start a blog or podcast about civic hacking and share your knowledge with others. This is a great way to spread awareness about civic hacking and encourage others to get involved.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It encourages citizens to get involved in local government</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The National Day of Civic Hacking is a great opportunity for citizens to learn about their local government, and to find out how they can become involved in the decision-making process. It provides an avenue for citizens to get engaged in their communities and help make change happen from the ground up!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It fosters public/private partnerships</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The National Day of Civic Hacking brings together local governments, non-profit organizations, private companies, and individual citizens to work on civic problems. By collaborating together, these stakeholders are able to pool resources and use technology in innovative ways to solve pressing community issues.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It can drive economic development</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By focusing on tech projects that have potential for creating jobs and spurring economic growth, the National Day of Civic Hacking can help revitalize local economies. The investments made during this day can lead to long term benefits for cities as different projects come to fruition over time!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>A variety of skills are utilized during National Day of Civic Hacking</h3><p class='facts-content'>While coding is a key part of hacking, other skills like project management, data analysis, design, and community organizing are important as well.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Civic Hacking serves multiple purposes</h3><p class='facts-content'>It’s not only about using tech to solve local problems, but it is also an effort to promote transparency, participation, and collaboration between citizens and their government.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Civic Hacks can eventually lead to policies and legislation</h3><p class='facts-content'>Projects initiated during National Day of Civic Hacking have been known to eventually shape public policy and even guide the creation of legislation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Civic Hacking fosters diversity and inclusion</h3><p class='facts-content'>The event provides a platform for voices from different backgrounds and communities who can bring a new perspective in solving societal problems.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>National Day of Civic Hacking is celebrated globally</h3><p class='facts-content'>While signs of civic hacking began in the US, the National Day of Civic Hacking is now celebrated in many other countries reflecting a global movement towards civic engagement and use of technology for common good.</p></div></div>
National Day of Civic Hacking is celebrated on September 18 every year. In 2024, National Day of Civic Hacking will occur on a Wednesday.
2023
Sep 18
Monday
2024
Sep 18
Wednesday
2025
Sep 18
Thursday
2026
Sep 18
Friday
2027
Sep 18
Saturday
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