November 20th is GIS Day, a commemoration intended to celebrate the uses of Geographic Information System (GIS) in research and everyday life. This year marks a significant milestone: the 25th anniversary of GIS Day. The theme for this year’s celebration focuses on how GIS has transformed the way people understand and engage with the world around them.
What is GIS?
GIS is computer programming that organizes location and geographic data into digital interactive maps. These maps can be read and studied to identify relationships and patterns, often providing useful insights. GIS incorporates satellite imagery, GPS and map data to provide information based on geographic location. GIS technology can play a significant role in modern business. For instance, GIS can used by companies to identify how well their products or services sell based on location. GIS might also be used by a local government agency to track status of public infrastructure projects. Engineers can use the location data provided by GIS to determine what design features will be needed to make a building or structure function in a desired location. Finally, teachers can use GIS to teach students geography.
What is GIS Day?
Jack Dangermond, an early pioneer in GIS, established the first GIS in 1999. He aimed to showcase the growing importance of GIS. Twenty-five years on, GIS technology continues to be utilized and relied upon. For instance, Google Maps, a GPS program which utilizes GIS, is now a household name. Businesses, organizations, and private individuals have come to rely on GIS in their day-to-day activities. Hear Dangermond’s message for GIS Day 2024.
GIS Learning Opportunities with Esri
Esri, a leader in GIS technology and the creator of ArcGIS among other GIS products, posted training videos on their GIS programs. These trainings and tutorials are accessible on Esri’s website. Some of these tutorials focus on more general skills, such as the video on GIS components in Microsoft 365. Others provide more specific practices such as mapping the change in Arctic Sea ice.
In addition to these short videos, Esri also offers massive open online courses or MOOCs. These classes run for four to six weeks throughout 2025. If you want to take your GIS skills to another level, consider signing up for one of these courses.
If you are interested in seeing how GIS can be used to tell compelling stories, Esri put together a variety of videos and projects which utilize GIS. These videos and blogs can be found on the resources page of the GIS Day website. Interested users can find resources for both adults and children. There are plenty of learning opportunities for everyone in the family!
Celebrating GIS Day
Looking for other ways to celebrate GIS Day? Ersi has an interactive map showing where different registered GIS related events are being held. Maybe there’s a public library near your home or apartment holding an event. Looking for more ideas? Check out this list of 99 ways to celebrate GIS Day. Even consider way 100: Compose a poem on GIS Day like the haiku below:
GIS Day
Before us the world
New patterns and new info,
Ready to be found
LinkedIn Learning Opportunities
If you want to learn about how to use GIS tools like ArcGIS, LinkedIn Learning has videos which might interest you, courtesy of the Universities Libraries. Here’s a sampling of introductory GIS videos below:
Both videos provide introductory information about GIS and ArcGIS, a GIS program. When you finish these courses, there are more advanced options available to continue your education. As always, reach out to the library’s reference department for assistance with our databases.
GIS Day is a reminder of the importance technology plays in our day-to-day life. On the 20th, take a little time out of your day to learn more about GIS and the technology which makes GIS possible. Who knows, you may find a new and useful way to look at the world.
Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at the Catholic University of America Libraries.
References and Further Reading
Esri, (October 2021), 99 Ways to Celebrate GIS Day.
Esri, GIS Day: November 20, 2024
Esri, “What is GIS?: Geographic Information Systems”.
Spatial Post. (November 12, 2023). The Evolution of GIS: From Mapping to Spatial Intelligence