Software Freedom Day Date in the current year: September 21, 2024

Free software, sometimes also referred to as libre software, is computer software that users can run for any purpose, as well as to study, modify, and distribute. The free software movement was launched in 1983 by Richard Stallman, who founded the GNU project.

DFF was established in 2004 to promote Software Freedom Day (SFD). The celebration was originally held on August 28, but in 2006 it was moved to the third Saturday in September. SFD aims to celebrate and promote free and open-source software, as well as to educate people about the benefits of free software.

Worldwide celebration of SFD is coordinated by DFF (as Software Freedom International) at a global level, but local events are organized by volunteer teems around the world. These teams register online and are supported by DFF if necessary. Typical SFD events include workshops, seminars, cultural and educational events, expos, etc.

Other celebrations organized by DFF include Hardware Freedom Day, Culture Freedom Day, and Education Freedom Day.