History

In years past, the Downtown Kiwanis Club honored state employees with a morning dedication which included serving coffee and donuts, and providing a copy of the morning edition of local newspapers; 1996 was the last year of this event.

With the vision of Mollie Anderson, then Director of Personnel, plans were started to continue employee appreciation and celebrate diversity. The first World Day on the Mall, "A Celebration of Diversity," was held September 18, 1997. It was hosted by the State of Nebraska’s Citizens for Ethnic Diversity, Aliant Communications, Downtown Lincoln Association, National Bank of Commerce, Nebraska State Employees’ Credit Union, and the University of Nebraska.

With the exception of 2001, World Day on the Mall has been an annual event. Because of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, World Day was cancelled that year.

World Day on the Mall does not use any direct state funding. Funding is obtained by donations from local businesses and organizations.

Programs include:

• Educational presentations
• Live entertainment:
  • varies from year to year
  • includes ethnic and cultural acts
• Food vendors offer dishes from many different cultures
• Informational vendors, such as:
  • City and State Government offices
  • Local diversity organizations
  • Human rights organizations
  • Nonprofit organizations
• Other businesses