Discover the Top 12 Amazing Fun Facts About Human Rights: Learn, Laugh, and Be Inspired

1. Land of the Free 2.0: South Sudan's Constitution

In a delightful twist straight from the "Land of the Free 2.0": South Sudan's Transitional Constitution of 2011 guarantees the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to receive and disseminate information, access to press, and peaceful assembly and association.
Source => constituteproject.org

2. Seamstress Activist: Rosa Parks

If "sewing the seeds of change" were a literal profession, Rosa Parks could've added it to her resume: This iconic seamstress wasn't just a brave bus passenger, but a die-hard activist working alongside Congressman John Conyers, fighting for job discrimination, affordable housing, and even supporting the Black Power movement. Rosa had the last laugh when, in 2005, she became the first woman to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda, inspiring states to celebrate Rosa Parks Day.
Source => naacp.org

Did you know Philadelphia is home to the iconic "Rocky Steps" and the famous Rocky Statue? Channel your inner Stallone and climb the 72-stair staircase for a victorious photo-op at the Philadelphia Museum of Art! 🥊🏆💪

=> Fun Facts about Philadelphia

3. Linguistic Lunacy: UDHR's Translations

In a world of dialect disasters and linguistic lunacy, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights takes the cake as the planet's polyglot project par excellence: Surpassing any dusty tome or screenplay, the UDHR holds the world record for being the most translated document, boasting 555 different translations of its own, turning the humble human rights declaration into an etymological Everest.
Source => ohchr.org

4. Cyrus the Great's Chart-Topper

Picture this - Ancient Mesopotamia's Got Talent, starring Cyrus the Great, belting out a chart-topper called "The Cyrus Cylinder" that would resonate through history: In 539 BC, Cyrus recorded the first declaration of human rights on a clay cylinder, advocating for freedom, choice, and respect of human dignity. This relic, containing English and French translations, has been recognized by the United Nations, and a replica was gifted to the UN Secretary-General in 1971 as a testament to Iran's long-held commitment to justice and human values.
Source => un.org

5. Magna Carta Spicing up Medieval Rom-coms

Next time you're envisioning a medieval rom-com with a feisty widow refusing to tie the knot, you can thank the Magna Carta for adding spice to the plot: the 1215 document not only provided property-owning widows the right to skip remarriage, but also laid the foundation for modern human rights, tackling bribery, proclaiming due process, and ensuring the church remained government-free.
Source => humanrights.com

6. Hipster Criteria: Exclusion in Landmark Documents

If the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the American Constitution were a hipster café, they'd only let certain people in who meet their strict hipster criteria: You had to be a male property owner to score a seat at the cool kids' table back then. Serious reveal: Contrary to popular belief, these two landmark documents, which have profoundly influenced human rights globally, initially granted rights exclusively to specific population segments such as male property owners and excluded women, slaves, and other marginalized groups.
Source => courses.lumenlearning.com

7. Cupid Dodges Jurisdiction: Same-Sex Marriage

In a victorious leap for love (and paperwork), Cupid finally dodged jurisdictional mishaps: In the 2015 landmark case of Obergefell v. Hodges, the US Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental right to marry extends to same-sex couples under the Constitution's Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, making same-sex marriage legal nationwide and in US territories.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Rights Remix: Thomas Paine and John Locke

Before Locke went pop with Tommy P on the rights remix: Thomas Paine played a significant role in transforming the principles of John Locke, ultimately contributing to the foundation of American democracy and the concept of natural rights.
Source => thomaspaine.org

9. Ecuador's Eco-Fabulous Constitution

Who needs Captain Planet when you have Ecuador's constitution? A real Planeteer at heart, this document not only vibes with Mother Earth but also spreads the love of "Buen Vivir" among its peeps: In 2008, Ecuador became the first country to recognize the rights of nature and enshrine the indigenous-based philosophy of "Buen Vivir", or "good living" for its citizens, promoting cultural, ecological, and community harmony as a key aspect of human rights – now that's eco-fabulous!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Hansa Mehta Shakes Up Gender Language

Breaking glass ceilings before they were cool: Hansa Mehta, an Indian delegate to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1947-48, masterfully convinced the assembly to change the wording of Article 1 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from "All men are born free and equal" to "All human beings are born free and equal", effectively shaking up the gender-neutral language game.
Source => un.org

11. My Body, My Temple: The Right to Health

You might think that "my body, my temple" is just a catchy tattoo phrase, but there's some human rights wisdom hidden in that ink: The right to health goes beyond just having access to healthcare – it includes the right to control one's own health and body, as well as being free from interference. This right, crucial for achieving other rights like food, housing, work, education, and participation, fuels the battle against discriminatory practices and unjust power relations that prevent certain groups from enjoying good health. So, next time you glimpse that tattoo at the gym, remember there's more depth to it than you thought!
Source => who.int

12. Laughter vs. Voting: The Importance of Participation

Whoever said laughter is the best medicine clearly never voted: In reality, voting and participating in genuine, periodic elections are directly linked to a variety of human rights such as freedom from discrimination, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, and freedom of movement. Without these essential rights, elections wouldn't hold up to international human rights standards. Cue the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, ensuring that the electoral process stays fair, square, and laughter-free!
Source => ohchr.org