Hams around the globe are marking World Amateur Radio Day on April 18th and ham radio clubs and other groups have been devoting a day - or even the whole month - to a variety of activities to celebrate the 100th year since the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union in Paris, France.

The IARU has declared the theme of this year's celebration - "Entering the Next Century of Amateur Radio Communications and Innovation."
Although the theme of the anniversary is forward-looking the IARU urged hams to appreciate the gains made in previous decades too. A message on its webpage noted that this is [quote] "a time to reflect on our achievements." [endquote]
Member societies in each region of the IARU will be marking the occasion in a variety of ways. Some are hosting open houses to demonstrate amateur radio to the public; others have already been on the air this month activating special event stations with callsigns ending in the suffix "W A R D." In Canada, the mayor of the capital city of Ottawa has issued the first municipal proclamation ever of Amateur Radio Day, as the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club and West Carleton Disaster Relief present demonstrations for the public at several locations.