World Tuberculosis Day Date in the current year: March 24, 2024

World Tuberculosis Day was first proposed by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) in 1982. The date of March 24 was chosen to commemorate the day in 1882 when German physician and microbiologist Robert Koch announced his discovery of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis that causes the disease.

However, the observance was not recognized by the WHO and the UN until more than a decade later. The first World Tuberculosis Day was held in 1996. It was organized by the WHO, the Royal Netherlands Tuberculosis Foundation, the IUALTD and other concerned organizations.

Tuberculosis is one of the most widespread diseases. One-third of the planet's population is thought to be the carriers of the infection. Millions of people fall ill with tuberculosis each year. The chance of death is about 4% as of 2008.

The disease is more widespread in developing countries, where many people do not have access to proper treatment. One of the aims of World Tuberculosis Day is to raise awareness about this problem and help developing countries reduce infection and death rate.