If you believe all kinds of data should be accessible to everyone, then International Open Data Day, which takes place on a date set yearly by the Open Data Organization, is just for you! This year, it takes place on March 5. Open data is a concept that is grounded in data being free and accessible to everyone at any given time. This day was created over a decade ago with the aim of celebrating the use of open data all over the world.
History of International Open Data Day
Before we talk about the day itself, we have to give you a quick, deeper understanding of the concept of open data. With technology transcending as the days go by, our lives are becoming more on display, and the important data we need seems to be more hidden. The open data concept seeks to eradicate that entirely.
Open data is the ideology that some data should be free and easily accessible, as well as being available for use and republishing by anyone without copyright or patent restrictions. Simply put, the open data concept allows the free access and use of data.
The type of data being considered can range from maps or scientific formulae, to very important data like medical data and open government data (O.G.D.). This automatically means that this concept can be used for just as much harm as it can for good. However, advocates of open data encourage free access and re-use of this data with no restrictions, but control of the type of re-use, thereby eradicating the possibility of important data being used for wrong reasons.
It first appeared in 1995 but had been a topic of conversation in the research world long before that. Researchers, scientists, analysts, and developers believe that open access to data will create an increase in productivity in the fields of science and technology. This is because people from all over the world will be freely able to see and re-use data to expand research in these fields.
International Open Data Day was proposed and founded in 2010, and since then, it has gone a long way to encourage the use of open data in communities. The date is chosen annually by governing group members and the outputs are open for use and re-use by anyone.
International Open Data Day timeline
Robert King Merton proposes a theory of allowing results of research to be easily accessible and reusable.
The formulation of the World Data Center gives open access to scientific data.
The world’s largest collaborative biological project is launched, solidifying the importance of open data.
The term “open data” appears for the first time in a document from an American scientific agency.
International Open Data Day FAQs
Who first proposed to celebrate Open Data Day globally?
David Eaves was the first person to promote Open Data Day on a global scale. This idea came as a result of discussions with Edward Ocampo-Gooding, Mary Beth Baker, Daniel Beauchamp, Pedro Markun, and Daniela Silva.
How do I find open data?
Several platforms provide free, easy access to data. These include; Google Public Data Explorer, FiveThirtyEight, and Kaggle. You can find more results in research.
What is the Open Data Institute?
The Open Data Institute is a private, non-profit organization with the mission of equipping people from all over the world with the data they need to further innovations. It was founded by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir Nigel Shadbolt in 2012
International Open Data Day Activities
Attend an event
On this day, the Open Data Organization plans various physical and virtual events. The great news is that you don’t have to be in the science or tech fields to participate! Visit their website to find out more about these events, and how you can participate.
Organize an event
If you’re a teacher or a member of any company that relies on the knowledge and use of data, you can organize your very own open data event. The Open Data Organization has ways you can go about making your event stand out. Visit their website for more information.
Learn more about open data
We have only given you the tip of the massive open data iceberg. Take some time today to do some digging yourself. There are tons of information and resources online to educate you about the entire concept and how it applies to you.
5 Facts About Data That Will Shock You
It’s quite recent
Over 90% of the data we currently used was created in the past two years.
Google answers a lot
On average, Google processes over 40 thousand search queries per second.
It can reach the Moon
If the data created each day was burned onto D.V.D.s, they would be able to be stacked up to reach the Moon twice.
Facebook users create a lot of it
An estimated 30 billion pieces of content are shared between Facebook users daily.
It’s larger than you think
We create just as much data that’s been there from the beginning of time until 2003, every two days.
Why We Love International Open Data Day
The open data concept is important
Open data as a general concept is, in itself, important to all of us. It allows us to have free, easy access to data to use and reuse as we see fit. This day encourages the use of open data as an essential tool for the growth of communities.
It’s important to research
One of the ultimate benefits of open data is that it gives room for the expansion of research. The accessibility of data results allows scientists, researchers, analysts, and so on, to see and build on this existing data which increases overall research.
It promotes transparency
We are living in an age where we don’t really know the kind of data collected about us or what it’s even used for. This day promotes transparency of our data, and more so for open government data.
International Open Data Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 5 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | March 5 | Thursday |
| 2027 | March 5 | Friday |
| 2028 | March 5 | Sunday |
| 2029 | March 5 | Monday |
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