World Radiography Day is commemorated on November 8, every year, to mark the anniversary of the discovery of X-rays. A procedure that is used so widely is often taken for granted, but this medical marvel has helped the healthcare system discover a myriad of health issues. The day also celebrates the efforts of radiographers and radiologists around the world.
World Radiography Day 2022 Theme
Commemorated by the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technology, the theme for World Radiography Day 2022 is “Radiographers at the Forefront of Patient Safety”.
World Radiography Day: History
The day is commemorated to mark the anniversary of the discovery of x-rays by Professor Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen of the Wuerzburg University, Germany, in 1895. This was an accidental discovery by Professor Röntgen when he was working with a cathode-ray tube in his laboratory. This scientific breakthrough was extremely well-received.
In fact, just a month later, medical personnel began using radiographs in Europe and the U.S. Six months later, radiographs were also employed to help wounded soldiers on the battlefield. A year later in 1896, John Hall-Edwards used X-rays in a surgical operation for the first time.
In 1999, Chandra X-ray Observatory was launched. This allowed the exploration of violent processes in the universe.