World Whale Day is observed worldwide on the third Sunday of February to celebrate and honor whales, the largest animals on Earth. The holiday originated in 1980 in Maui, Hawaii, initiated by Greg Kaufman, founder of the Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF), to coincide with Earth Day. Following Kaufman's passing in 2018, the PWF expanded the celebration into the Maui Whale Festival, which runs throughout February. Participants engage in various activities such as attending events, learning about whales, watching films featuring these creatures, reading literature like Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick," and pledging to reduce plastic use to protect ocean environments. The PWF focuses on whale conservation through education and research, with projects in locations like Chile and Ecuador. Many conservation organizations and individuals globally continue to celebrate this day, promoting awareness and support for whale protection initiatives.