Esri president and co-founder Jack Dangermond credits Ralph Nader with being the person who inspired the creation of GIS Day.

[2] He considered the event a good initiative for people to learn about geography and the many uses of GIS.

He wanted GIS Day to be a grassroots effort and open to everyone to participate.

Today, the event provides an international forum for users of GIS technology from across the GIS industry to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in society.

[3] Originally the Canada Geographic Information System developed in the 1960s by Roger Tomlinson, it is now used worldwide.