World Civil Defense Day is observed worldwide on March 1 each year. It was established by the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) General Assembly in 1990 to commemorate the day the ICDO Constitution came into force in 1972. The ICDO, founded in 1931 in Paris by French Surgeon-General George Saint-Paul, became an intergovernmental organization in 1972 and currently has 50 member countries. The day serves to highlight the importance of civil protection and the preparedness for self-protection in the event of accidents or disasters. It also pays tribute to the efforts and sacrifices of national services responsible for disaster response. While countries that are members of the ICDO observe their own national civil defense days on different dates, the common goal remains to enhance public protection from natural and technological disasters.