Children’s Day: History, Significance and Celebration Around the World

International Children's Day is a public holiday annually observed in many countries on June 1st. This year, in 2021, we are gonna celebrate International Children's Day on Tuesday.

International Children's Day: History

The first "World Conference for the Wellbeing of Children" was held in Geneva, Switzerland in 1925, which is when this holiday first came into existence.

Following the conference, some governments declared a day as Children's Day to raise awareness of children's issues. According to Office Holiday, because no particular date was suggested, nations used the one that most closely reflected their respective cultures.

Many former Soviet states use June 1 because it is "The International Day for Protection of Children," which was established on that day in 1950 as a result of the 1949 Moscow congress of the Women's International Democratic Federation.

With the establishment of World Children's Day, UN member states acknowledged that all children, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, or national or social origin, have the right to care, love, understanding, adequate nutrition, medical care, free education, protection from all forms of exploitation, and the opportunity to grow up in an atmosphere of global peace and brotherhood.

Children's Day has been celebrated in many nations, but it is typically not observed as a public holiday. For instance, some nations observe November 20 as Universal Children's Day in honor of Children's Day. The United Nations created this day in 1954 with the intention of promoting the welfare of kids all over the world.

International Children's Day: Significance

Since 1990, the UN General Assembly has observed International Children's Day on the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The International Children's Da is a festival specifically for kids, as suggested by its name. Children are the future of humanity, so this event serves as a reminder to adults to better protect and care for their precious children.

Photo: Vents Magazine

Making World Children's Day relevant for their societies, communities, and countries can involve parents, teachers, nurses, and medical professionals, as well as government officials and civil society activists, religious leaders, community elders, business titans, and media moguls.

The celebration of children's rights on International Children's Day gives each of us a motivational starting point for actions and conversations that will improve the world for children.

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How is Children's Day celebrated in different countries?

On June 1st, about a quarter of the world's population observes Children's Day. There are currently about 2.6 billion minors in the world, which makes up about 30% of the population, according to official UN statistics. This population is classified as "children" according to the official classification.

However, given the difficulty in accessing education, early sexual initiation, and psychological abuse in families, generation Z's problems are hardly typically those of "children." On the first day of summer, safeguarding the interests of children is brought to everyone's attention, and newly emerging issues are closely scrutinized.

Photo: Find My Kids

USA

The origins of Children's Day can be traced back to a special day set aside for child baptisms in the church in 1856, which was originally known as Rose Day. Nearly 150 years later, in 1995, President Clinton declared October 8th to be National Children's Day. The following president, George W. Bush, continued this initiative when he proclaimed June 1st as National Child's Day in 2001. Today, though, this holiday has been moved up one week to the second Sunday in June.

The importance of the principles learned and the good deeds started on Children's Day being carried over to the other 364 days of the year is stressed by activists involved in its planning. The main motto of Children's Day in the US is "Celebrate wherever you are, do something wonderful," which is a worldwide call to acceptance, cooperation, and kindness. Therefore, this day is entirely devoted to teaching moral lessons that benefit children, as well as teaching how to set and achieve long-term goals that are constructive.

Addressing the sustainability issue is also crucial on that day. Given that they stand in for the next generation, children are likely the most significant and appropriate group in the world for environmental discourse. On Children's Day, many initiatives are undertaken to teach the next generation of adults how to better care for the environment now and in the future.

India

Before 1964, the United Nations recognized November 20 as Children's Day, and it was observed on that day every year. The date of our beloved Chacha Nehru's birth was designated as Children's Day in India after his passing. On this day, plays, competitions, cultural events, and other events are organized by schools and colleges, and children receive gifts like candy, books, stationery, and other items. Additionally, as proclaimed by the UN, November 20 is observed as Universal Children's Day.

Every child deserves the best of everything, including education and nurturing, as this day serves as a reminder. Since they are the foundation of the country, how well they are raised will determine its future. Keep your inner child alive, you who are now adults!

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What day is 'Universal Children's Day': History and Celebration

Germany

The first of June is designated as "Kindertag" in Germany, where it is observed annually. From 1950 (in the German Democratic Republic), when the holiday was first observed in the nation, it quickly became a highlight of the year for German children. German children typically receive greetings and gifts from their parents on this day.

Additionally, this is the time when they participate in special school activities like field trips and the like. However, Children's Day is widely observed on September 20, which is also the day it was first observed, according to Kids Gen.

Photo: Event View

Poland

The International Children's Day is observed in Poland. Children's Day, also known as "Dzien Dziecka" (literally "child's day"), is observed on June 1 in Poland. The first "International Children's Day" was instituted in Poland in 1952.

Children's Day is not a holiday in Poland, but since it falls at the start of summer, which is roughly the end of the academic year there, it is typically a day off for kids. It is a time when parents typically purchase inexpensive presents for their kids.

First week of June is a time for celebrations planned in kid-friendly parks and entertainment venues. For the occasion, schools typically plan special events for the kids.

Children's Day in India. Photo: Times Of India

Canada

Children's Day, also known as "National Child Day" in Canada, is observed on November 20 of every year. It is also known as the Child Day Act because the day was made a national holiday in Canada when the "Child Day Act" was passed by the Canadian Parliament in 1993 in response to the United Nations General Assembly's recommendation that the country observe a Universal Children's Day. Canada does not observe National Child Day as a holiday.

Children's day in UAE. Photo: Khaleej Times

Brazil

The Dia das Crianças is celebrated in Brazil on October 12. It's also interesting to note that this nation's version of the holiday will be 100 years old in 2020! The first time in Brazil's history that children's issues were given official attention was in 1920. The deputy of the federal assembly was the one who had started this celebration. The date of October 12th was formally approved in a few years, in 1924.

Conclusion

Children's Day is celebrated in a variety of unique ways around the world. School and university students in Russia get their summer breaks started on June 1. In contrast, Mexico celebrates Children's Day on April 30th, right in the middle of the academic year. On this day, both teachers and parents dismiss their students early.

Children's Day is celebrated twice yearly in Chile, once on the second Sunday of August and again on the first Wednesday of October.

In contrast, Australia has decided to celebrate in this manner on more than one day. A full week has been set aside for the nation to celebrate its youth. The people of the Philippines have taken it a step further by celebrating children for an entire month.

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