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'Light It Up Blue': World Autism Awareness Day recognized around the world

Thursday, April 2, 2015, marks the 8th annual World Autism Awareness Day. As
World Heritage Himeji Castle is illuminated in blue light to mark World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2015 in Himeji, Japan. (Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty for Autism Speaks )
World Heritage Himeji Castle is illuminated in blue light to mark World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2015 in Himeji, Japan.
By Daniel Berger, Daniel Berger and Olivia Kestin, Olivia Kestin

Thursday, April 2, 2015, marks the 8th annual World Autism Awareness Day. As part of the day's festivities, the Autism Speaks organization kicked off a "Light It Up Blue" campaign -- complete with a #LIUB hashtag on Twitter -- to encourage buildings and landmarks to turn blue and people to wear blue to raise awareness about the disorder. See how World Autism Awareness Day and the "Light It Up Blue" campaign were celebrated across the country and across the globe.

World Heritage Himeji Castle is illuminated in blue light to mark World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2015 in Himeji, Japan. (Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty for Autism Speaks )
World Heritage Himeji Castle is illuminated in blue light to mark World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2015 in Himeji, Japan.
The statue of Christ the Redeemer is lit up in blue for the Light It Up Blue campaign to mark the World Autism Awareness Day in Rio de Janeiro April 1, 2015.
The statue of Christ the Redeemer is lit up in blue for the \"Light It Up Blue\" campaign to mark the World Autism Awareness Day in Rio de Janeiro April 1, 2015.
A handout picture released by the Italian presidency press office showing a profile of the Dioscuri's fountain, in front of Quirinale Palace, illuminated in blue for the 'World Day of Awareness of Autism' in Rome, Italy, on April 1, 2015.
A handout picture released by the Italian presidency press office showing a profile of the Dioscuri's fountain, in front of Quirinale Palace, illuminated in blue for the 'World Day of Awareness of Autism' in Rome, Italy, on April 1, 2015.
A night scene showing Cibeles fountain (C) and Puerta de Alcala (Backgroung) illuminated in blue for the 'World Day of Awareness of Autism' in Madrid, Spain, on April 1, 2015.
A night scene showing Cibeles fountain (C) and Puerta de Alcala (Backgroung) illuminated in blue for the 'World Day of Awareness of Autism' in Madrid, Spain, on April 1, 2015.