The World Information Society Day was announced by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005. It is observed on the 17th of May and its main goal is to raise awareness of the societal and global changes brought about by the Internet and other new technologies.
Another important objective of the day is to reduce the digital divide and promote the exchange of ideas.
By the way, 17th of May was earlier celebrated as the World Telecommunication Day which honoured the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on the same day in 1865.