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Every year, Children’s Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm in different countries of the world and at different dates. In fact, there are so many days dedicated to children that at times, it gets confusing when "Children’s Day" is actually held. So we have done a little bit of research and here we bring you the fascinating histories of the most commonly observed "Children’s Day"s across the world.
Observance around the world Albania In Albania, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. Angola In Angola, International Children's Day (Dia Internacional da Criança) is celebrated on June 1 and is a national holiday. Argentina In Argentina, Children's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of August and it's known as Día del Niño.[7] Until the 1990s, the celebration was on the first Sunday of August. Because in some years most employees were not paid by the first Sunday, the celebration changed to the second Sunday of August. Armenia In Armenia, the Children's Day is celebrated on 1 June. The tradition to celebrate the Children's Day on 1 June was inherited from the times of the Soviet Union. Usually on this day a lot of entertainment activities are organized for and with children across the country. Children's Day also presents good opportunity for organizations such as UNICEF to advocate for children's rights in different platforms and fora. The celebrations of Children's Day also continue beyond June 1 and numerous NGOs organize various events, including fundraising with participation of renowned singers, movie stars, governmental and public persons as well as top-ranking officials. Australia Children's Day is the second Sunday in July. Bangladesh In Bangladesh, Children's Day had not been celebrated in a manner that makes the community realise the importance of children's rights until 2009 when an organization called JAAGO Foundation finally did some work to create awareness and to help the less fortunate. Volunteers from the foundation took all the small children selling toys, trinkets, flowers, cotton candy etc. out of the streets and took them to an amusement park. Over 200 volunteers worked that day to help the children have the most memorable day of their lives. Another 2000+ volunteers roamed the streets of the capital Dhaka and sold the things that normally those children would sell and created awareness about children's rights. The volunteers were awarded certificates for being responsible and determined to help the future generation of their country. They put themselves in those poor children's shoes and experienced their harsh lives. The same programme is being held on 11 November 2010 as well for Universal Children's Day. Bolivia In Bolivia, Children's Day (Día del Niño) is celebrated on April 12. Brazil In Brazil, Children's Day is celebrated on October 12, coinciding with Our Lady of Aparecida's day, the country's Patron Saint, which is holiday. Bulgaria In Bulgaria, children's day is celebrated on 1 June.[8] All drivers are expected to drive with their lights on all day long to demonstrate extra vigilance over children's safety. Canada Canada's "National Child Day" is held on November 20 each year as enacted in the 1993 Parliamentary Bill C-27.7, the Child Day Act.[9] Central AfricaIn Congo, Congo DR, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Chad, Central African Republic, São Tomé and Príncipe Children's Day is celebrated on December 25 to honour all the children there. Chile In Chile, Children's Day Día del Niño is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. It retains none of the international flavor as a day to recognize the needs of or rights of children, but is observed merely as a commercial holiday dedicated to buying toys for children. China People's Republic of ChinaIn the People's Republic of China, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1 and is formally known as "the June 1 International Children's Day" (Simplified Chinese: 六一国际儿童节; pinyin: liù yī guó jì ér tóng jié). When the People's Republic of China was first established in 1949, the State Council (Cabinet) designated a half-day holiday for all primary schools on June 1. This was later made into a full day's break in 1956 with The Announcement by the State Council to make June 1 Children's Day a One-Day Holiday.[10] Schools usually hold activities such as camping trips or free movies on Children's Day to allow students to have fun, and children of civil servants might also receive small gifts from the government. Entrance ceremonies of the Young Pioneers of China (similar to Boy Scouts in the West) are usually held on June 1 as well. Colombia In Colombia, Children's Day is celebrated in the last weekend of April. Costa Rica In Costa Rica, Children's Day is celebrated on September 9. Cuba In Cuba, Children's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of July. Czech Republic In Czech Republic, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. Ecuador In Ecuador, Children's Day (Día Del Niño) is celebrated on June 1; kids up to 12 years old receive presents from their parents, and schools let them have a special celebration. Egypt In Egypt, Children's Day is celebrated every November 20 with festivals and games for children. El Salvador In El Salvador, Children's Day is celebrated on October 1. Parents play with their children on this day. Finland In Finland, Children's Day is known as Day of children's rights and is celebrated on 20 November. Former and current Communist and Socialist countries In Russia, as well as other former Soviet Union states, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, other former or current communist states, Albania, Angola, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, East Germany, Laos, Republic of Macedonia, Mongolia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Tanzania and Yemen, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. This list includes 25 countries which regained independence from USSR, seceded from Yugoslavia Federation, as well as Czechoslovakia and Ethiopia after their respective splits. Germany In Germany, during the Cold War, Children's Day (Kindertag) was handled quite differently in West Germany and East Germany. They were held on different dates in these two states. East Germany celebrated Children's Day on June 1 while West Germany celebrated it on September 20. The official names of Children's Day were also different. In East Germany, it was known as "International Children's Day" (Internationaler Kindertag), whereas in West Germany, it was called "World Children's Day" (Weltkindertag). The customs of Children's Day were also significantly different in West and East Germany. In East Germany, the holiday was introduced in 1950, and was from then held on a yearly basis for the children. On this day of the year, children would typically be congratulated and would receive presents from their parents and did special activities in school, such as field trips and the like. In West Germany, Children's Day did not have such meaning to the children, and was even mostly unknown to many people. After the reunification of East and West Germany occurred in 1990, the date and name of the event used in the West have become the official ones for the former East as well. This however was not accepted by large parts of the former East German population. Most parents still celebrate Children's Day on the former date of June 1, and public events pertaining to Children's Day take place on September 20. Guatemala In Guatemala, Children's Day is celebrated on October 1. Hungary In 1931, Children's Day started although then it was called Children's Week, but since 1950 it has only been a day, the last Sunday in May. Haiti In 1900, Children's Day is celebrated on April 8. I took the place with Universal Children's Day on December 1. IndonesiaIn Indonesia, Children's Day is celebrated on July 23. India In India, Children's Day is celebrated on November 14,[16] the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru He was the first Prime Minister of India after independence. As is known, he had an extreme love for children. Nehru worked passionately for the welfare of children and youngsters soon after independence. He was keen about welfare, education, and development of children in India. He was fond of children and thus became popular as "Chacha Nehru" (Uncle Nehru) among his little admirers. On Children's Day in schools, it's a non-uniform day and teachers perform on that day to entertain children. From dramas to dances and songs to skits it is very entertaining for children to watch their teachers on the stage. Iran In Iran, Children's day is celebrated on 8 October (16 Mehr). Israel In Israel, Children's Day is celebrated on October 19. Japan Japan's Children's Day (子供の日, kodomo no hi?) is celebrated on May 5, a National Holiday since 1948. There is a long tradition, from the 8th century, to celebrate children's day twice a year; March 3 for girls and on May 5 for boys. On March 3, also known as the Doll Festival, Japanese people decorate their households with traditional Heian Period doll sets and plum blossom, and drink Amazake. On May 5, also known as 端午の節句 (tango-no sekku), They fly carp streamers outside, display Samurai dolls, and eat chimaki. There were some who argued in 1948 that March 3 should also be a National Holiday. Kazakhstan Also known as the Day of Children's Safety, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. Democratic People's Republic of Korea North Korean Children's Day is celebrated on June 2 as the International Children's Day (국제 아동절). Before 1945, it was celebrated on May 1. Republic of Korea In South Korea, May 5 is officially recognized as Children's Day (어린이날). Parents often give presents to their children, as well as spend time with them. The children are taken on excursions to zoos and museums. The children's day was firstly gaining attention from innovative students and leaders on the basis of independent movement of March first in 1919. From Jinju, many people gathered to bring up the recordable and respectable status of children and encourage adults to teach awareness of the deprived sovereignty. Since then, several groups of children and students studying in Tokyo agreed to designate May 1 as the day in 1922. Predominant figure, Bang Jeong Hwan greatly contributed the enhancement of participation from the intelligent, while the laborer's day also tapped together and moved the day toward May 5. Until 1939, Japanese authorities based in Seoul oppressed the movement to stop the congregation of Korean people for the festival. After the independence,the intetion for respecting children came to revive from 1946. The children's welfare law written on the constitution officially registerd May 5 as children's day in 1961. Laos In Laos, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. Malaysia In Malaysia, Children's Day is celebrated on the last Saturday of October annually. Primary schoolchildren normally go to school on the Friday before the event to celebrate Children's Day. The schools that are involved would also organise numerous activities for their pupils. Mexico Due to the celebration of the Revolution on November 20, in Mexico, Children's Day is celebrated on April 30. It is also known as "El Día Del Niño". And in some schools they give the day free or let the kids wear shorts and a colored shirt. Mongolia In Mongolia, the International Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. It is also known as "Эх үрсийн баяр". Nigeria Children's Day is celebrated on May 27 in Nigeria. It is a public holiday for Primary and Secondary school children. Depending on the state, a handful of children are selected to represent their schools in a march past for state officials. Palestine In Palestine, (in Arabic: يوم الطفل الفلسطيني) Children's Day is celebrated on April 5, observed by UNICEF [17] and Ministry of Education. Panama In Panama, Children's Day or Kid's Day was formerly held on November 1, but was changed by Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos, the wife of President Martin Torrijos (2004–2009), to the third Sunday of July.[18] Paraguay In Paraguay, Children's Day is celebrated on August 16, day of the infamous Battle of Acosta Ñu, where 20,000 thousand men of the Brazilian Army crushed a Paraguayan battle made up of 3,500 children ages six to fifteen - even though Paraguay had been already completely defeated (see more in War of the Triple Alliance). It's a national holiday, used to remember the atrocities the Brazilians committed during the five-year war. Peru According to Peruvian law in Peru, Children's Day (Día del Niño Peruano (Ley Nº 27666) , literally Peruvian Children's Day (Law Nº 27666)) is celebrated every third Sunday of August. On this day of the year, Peruvian children would typically be congratulated and would receive presents from their parents. Since it's celebrated on Sunday all special activities in school, such as field trips and the like are done the previous Friday. All major stores offer special discounts on toys, appliances, electronics, clothes, etc. Poland In Poland, Children's Day (Dzień Dziecka) is celebrated on June 1. The International Children's Day was introduced in Poland in 1952. It coincides with the beginning of summer and it is usually treated as a holiday, as it takes place near the end of the school year. Schools usually organize special activities for the day of the celebration, and the first week of June is a time of festivities organized in parks and entertainment centers for children. Parents usually buy small gifts for their children. Portugal and former colonies In Portugal, and also at some of its former colonies - Guinea-Bissau, Macau, Cape Verde, East Timor, Angola - Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. Romania In Romania, Children's Day (Romanian: “Ziua Copilului”) is celebrated on June 1. On that day, children have free entrance to some museums, zoos etc. Various events are also organized. Russian FederationIn Russia, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. Singapore Traditionally, October 1 is the day which Singapore officially celebrates Children's Day, a similar event celebrated every year is Youth Day which is celebrated on the first Sunday of July each year. Kindergarten and primary school children in Singapore do not have to attend school on this day. From 2011, Children's Day will be celebrated on the first Friday of October. Slovakia In Slovakia, the day is called International Children's Day (Medzinárodný deň detí) and is celebrated on June 1. Children get a free entrance to a zoo and some other attractions[citation needed]. Spain In Spain, this date is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of May, and it's called "Día del niño" Sri Lanka In Sri Lanka, Children's Day is celebrated on October 1. Suriname In Suriname, Children's Day is celebrated on December 5. It was known as "Sinterklaas" before. Sweden The International Children's Day is observed on the first Monday of October; a more well-known national Children's Day is celebrated on May 13. Thailand Thailand National Children's Day (Thai: วันเด็กแห่งชาติ) is celebrated on the second Saturday in January. Many organizations from both government and commercial sectors have celebration activities for children. Children can enter zoos or ride buses for free. The Prime Minister usually gives each Children's Day a theme that can be summarized by its motto. Many Government offices are open to children and their family; this includes the Government House, the Parliament House Complex and various Military installations. These events may include a guided tour and an exhibition. A notable example is the guided tour at the Government House, where children have an opportunity to view the Prime Minister's office and sit at the bureau. The Royal Thai Air Force usually invites children to go and explore the aircraft. Trinidad and Tobago International Men's Day on 19 November followed by Universal Children's Day on 20 November form a 48 hour celebration of men and children respectively.[19] Tunisia Children's Day in Tunisia is celebrated on March 21 every year. It is a day in which Tunisians observe the rights of children and remind themselves that children are the future builders and developers of the country and the world. The day is celebrated annually in Tunisia with spectacular activities and events. Turkey Official discourse in Turkey argues that Children's Day is a bunch of bullshit. The Grand National Assembly of Turkey was established on 1920, April 23, and to commemorate the event, April 23 was proclaimed a national holiday in 1921.(The founder of The Republic of Turkey ,Atatürk, has given this day to the children.) Since 1927[20] it has also become Children's Day (Turkish: Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı, literally "The Holiday of National Sovereignty and Children"), an official holiday dedicated to the children of Turkey and the world. The day is celebrated annually in Turkey with spectacular activities. In addition to holding many domestic celebratory events such as stadium performances, Turkey also houses Children's Day Festival, where groups of children from other countries are invited to participate in the festivities while staying at Turkish families' homes. In some countries, International Children's Festivals are celebrated with children's of different ethnicities such as Italy. Ukraine Children's Day (Ukrainian: День захисту дітей, literally "day of child's protection") is celebrated in Ukraine on June 1. It was introduced in Ukraine in 2009[citation needed]. United States of America Children’s Day observations in the United States predate both Mother’s and Father’s Day, though a permanent annual single Children's Day observation is not made at the national level. Anecdotally, many parents claim that "every day is Children's Day."[who?] The celebration of a special Children’s Day in America dates from the 1860s and earlier. In 1856, Rev. Charles H. Leonard, D.D., then pastor of the First Universalist Church of Chelsea, Mass., set apart a Sunday for the dedication of children to the Christian life, and for the re-dedication of parents and guardians to bringing-up their children in Christian nurture. This service was first observed the second Sunday in June.[21] The Universalist Convention at Baltimore in September 1867, passed a resolution commending churches to set apart one Sunday in each year as Children’s Day.[22] The Methodist Episcopal Church at the Methodist Conference of 1868 recommended that second Sunday in June be annually observed as Children’s Day.[22] The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1883 designated the “the second Sabbath in June as Children’s Day.”[23] Also in 1883, the National Council of Congregational Churches and nearly all the state bodies of that denomination in the United States passed resolutions commending the observance of the day. About this time many other denominations adopted similar recommendations.[22] Chase’s Calendar of Events cites Children’s Sunday and notes that The Commonwealth of Massachusetts issues an annual proclamation for the second Sunday in June.[24] Numerous churches and denominations currently observe the second Sunday in June including the African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Children & Youth Day in Hawaii started in 1994, when the Hawaii became the first Legislature to pass a law to recognize the first Sunday in October as "Children's Day." In 1997, the Legislature passed another landmark law designating the entire month of October as "Children and Youth Month." Children's Day was proclaimed by President Bill Clinton to be held on October 8, 2000, in response to a letter written by a four year old girl inquiring if he would make a Children's Day for her. "National Child's Day" was proclaimed by President George W. Bush as June 3, 2001 and in subsequent years on the first Sunday in June.[26] Nowhere in any of the proclamations did the President refer to the United Nations or the UN Resolution about Universal Child Day. In May 2009, International Children's Day was celebrated at the Washington DC National Harborplace Hosted by the Ariel Foundation International and the Ariana-Leilani Children's Foundation.[27][28] Since 2009, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has issued proclamations proclaiming the second Sunday in June as Children's Day as had the previous governor in 2007 and 2008. The mayors of Aurora and Batavia, Illinois, also have issued proclamations .[29] Uruguay Children's Day in Uruguay is officially on January 6 but informally that date is known by Uruguayans as Epiphany, and one Sunday in August is commercially Children's Day. Usually parents and perhaps other relatives give their children presents on January 6 as well as in August. Sometimes adults also receive presents on January 6 but never in the Children's Day celebrated in August. Vanuatu In Vanuatu, Children's Day is celebrated on the 24th of July. “Stop violence against children,” and “Give a child the chance to express their opinion today”. After the march there are speeches and activities organized by schools, including a dance. Then, after midday, children return home to spend time with their parents for the rest of the day. In Vanuatu, corporal punishment of children is legal when it is confined to the home, as well as in prisons. It is illegal, however, in schools. Children’s Day is a public holiday, set up following a recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. A group of people in the United Nations monitor and protect children's rights. A committee, with both adult and child members, organizes activities. In the past, a committee of adults has chosen the theme – but in the future children may help choose it. Children’s Day originally took place only in the capital of Vanuatu, but it has now been extended to all 6 provinces. Schools, churches, local governments of the provinces and other local organizations all organize activities. Save the Children supports one Children’s Day activity in each province, selecting it from the many requests they receive for support. In 2008, one of the activities supported by Save the Children was a sports day between many different schools. Parents and caretakers have been supportive of Children’s Day activities. Many parents come to activities with children. For example, in one province, children and parents from 5 different schools came together for a shared lunch. Some parents give their children presents for Children’s Day – however, Save the Children try to spread the message that it doesn’t matter if a parent can’t afford to buy their child a present, as the real aim of Children’s Day is for parents and children to spend the day together, and work together to reconcile their problems. Venezuela In Venezuela, Children's Day is celebrated the third Sunday of July. Vietnam In Vietnam, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1 as ICD and on the full moon of the 8th lunar month during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Zambia In Zambia, Children's Day celebrates on April 24 before Universal Children's Day on December 25 from Zambia lighting. Zimbabwe In Zimbabwe, Children's Day celebrates on July 2. |
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