savethedates

SaveTheDates, stylized as savethedates, is a term used to describe campaigns, platforms, and collaborations focused on preserving and highlighting historically significant dates and observances within calendars. Advocates argue that dates encode memory, culture, and civic identity, and that deliberate attention helps ensure inclusive and informed public commemorations across communities. The term is not tied to a single organization; rather, it serves as an umbrella for museums, schools, cultural bodies, and community groups that work to protect and promote important dates—from national holidays to regional anniversaries and indigenous observances.

Origins and scope: The concept emerged in the late 2010s alongside broader movements for digital archiving and public history. Proponents create and share calendars of significance, develop educational resources, and encourage institutions to include diverse dates in programming and curricula. Activities often include social media campaigns, lectures, exhibitions, and collaborative projects with libraries and archives.

Governance and reception: Projects operating under savethedates typically rely on volunteer networks or non-profit support, with open submissions and community moderation to determine which dates are featured. Critics note risks of uneven representation, potential tokenism, and noise if too many dates compete for attention. Supporters emphasize its value for date literacy, cultural memory, and civic education.

See also: calendar, remembrance, public history, cultural heritage, archiving.