In 2012, the United Nations added World Down Syndrome Day to its official calendar, creatively scheduling it for March 21 because of the extra 21st chromosome possessed by people with Down syndrome.

The celebration of this holiday that the U.N. resolution created reflects the many commendable advancements for the Down syndrome community in recent decades. Legal protections in America started with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects people with disabilities from various forms of discrimination. People with Down syndrome have also experienced greater social acceptance, one example being Lucas Warren, a child with Down syndrome who was chosen to be the 2018 Gerber Baby.