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Light It Up Blue, annually observed on April 2, is dedicated to raising awareness of autism. The initiative is generally associated with Autism Speaks. It is intended to raise international awareness of autism in support of both World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month in the United States.
History
Iconic landmarks around the globe – including the Empire State Building in New York City and Willis Tower in Chicago along with the CN Tower in Toronto – as well as airports, bridges, museums, concert halls, restaurants, hospitals, and retail stores, are among more than 100 structures in over 16 U.S. cities and nine countries around the world lit up in bright blue on the evening of April 1, 2010 – the first night of Autism Awareness Month in the United States and the eve of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD).
On April 2, 2010, the third annual World Autism Awareness Day was celebrated at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) where Autism Speaks volunteers and supporters opened the day by ringing the NYSE opening bell.
In 2011, despite efforts by Autism Speaks, the White House said it would not light up blue in honor of World Autism Awareness Day.