Children's Day

Universal Children's Day
Type	Historical
Date	Varies regionally (Universal Children's Day is celebrated on November 20, and International Children's Day is celebrated on June 1)
Related to	Father's Day, Mother's Day, International Men's Day, International Women's Day, Parents' Day

A "Children's Day", as an event, is celebrated on various days in many places around the world, in particular to honor children. Major global variants include an International Children's Day on June 1 as adopted in the former Communist bloc, and a Universal Children's Day on November 20, by United Nations recommendation. Many nations declare days for children on other dates.

International Children's Day

The World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland proclaimed June 1 to be International Children's Day in 1925. It is not clear as to why June 1 was chosen as the International Children's Day: one theory has it that the Chinese consul-general in San Francisco (USA) gathered a number of Chinese orphans to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in 1925, which happened to be on June 1 that year, and also coincided with the conference in Geneva.

The holiday is celebrated on 1 June each year. It is usually marked with speeches on children's rights and wellbeing, children TV programs, parties, various actions involving or dedicated to children, families going out etc.

It was adopted mostly by former and current Communist and Socialist countries.

Universal Children's Day

Universal Children's Day takes place on November 20 annually. First proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954, it was established to encourage all countries to institute a day, firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and secondly to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world's children. It was also chosen as the day to celebrate childhood. Universal Children's Day is preceded by International Men's Day on November 19 creating a 48 hour celebration of men and children respectively during which time the positive roles men play in children's lives are recognized.

The holiday was first celebrated worldwide in October 1953, under the sponsorship of International Union for Child Welfare in Geneva. The idea of a Universal Children's Day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954.

November 20 is also the anniversary of the day when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959. The Convention on the Rights of the Child was then signed on the same day in 1989, which has since been ratified by 191 states.

2009

To mark the 20th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Geneva Conventions, respectively, the International Committee of the Red Cross has issued a new brochure on children and war.. This brochure examines the risks faced by children caught up in armed conflict, the steps taken to address their specific needs, and the rules of law defined to protect them.

Observance around the world

Albania

In Albania, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. ll

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. 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

Australia Children's Day is a registered trademark. visit... ( www.childrensday.com.au)

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, Children's Day has not been celebrated in a manner that makes the community realise the importance of children's rights.

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 a national holiday.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, children's day is celebrated on 1 June.

Canada

Canada's "Child Day" is held on November 20 each year as enacted in the 1993 Parliamentary Bill C-27.7, the Child Day Act.

Central Africa

In 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 August 8. 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.

People's Republic of China

Hong Kong SAR

Children's Day is celebrated on 4 April (兒童節), having been established in 1931 at the same time as the Republic of China. The practice is still observed by the public after the handover in 1997, even though this festival has never been a public holiday.

Mainland China

In 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. 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.

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

Burning of "dirt and trash literature" at the 18th Elementary school in Berlin-Pankow (Buchholz), on the evening of International Children's Day, June 1st, 1955

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.

India

In India, Children Day is celebrated on November 14, the birthday of India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, as a tribute to his love for children.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, Children's Day is celebrated on July 23.

Iran

In Iran, Children's day is celebrated on October 8 (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 (zongzi).

There were some who argued in 1948 that March 3 should also be a National Holiday. See also International parental abduction in Japan.

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 (국제 아동절). Before 1945, it was celebrated on May 1, but in 1945, it was changed to its current date.

Republic of Korea

In South Korea, May 5 is officially recognized as Children's Day. 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 holiday was originally celebrated on May 1, but was later moved to May 5.

The writer Bang Jeong-Hwan is attributed to creating Children's Day in Korea. He is also believed to be responsible for changing the meaning of the word "어린이" into "child", which originally meant for "younger" (as opposed to "성인" ("older")).

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". Most kindergartens and elementary schools cancel regular classes and have big parties instead, with piñatas and lots of candy. Children play traditional games like "Pin the Tail on the Donkey". Some stores have large sales targeted at children or give away candy to children.

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.

Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus celebrates Children's Day on April 23 to coincide with Turkey's celebration.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, Children's Day is celebrated on November 20. There is no holiday on this day but it is observed by NGO working on Child Rights.

The electronic media in Pakistan broadcast special programmes on this occasion. All the newspapers publish informative articles/features on this day.

Also, functions are organised in major cities of Pakistan.

Special assemblies are held in schools.

Palestine

In Palestine, (in Arabic: يوم الطفل الفلسطيني) Children's Day is celebrated on April 5, observed by UNICEF and Ministry of Education.

Panama

In Panama, Children's Day or Kid's Day was formerly held on November 1st, but was changed by Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos, the wife of President Martin Torrijos (2004-2009), to the third Sunday of July.

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 second Sunday of April. 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 Federation

In 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. 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.

Spain

In Spain, this date is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of May, and it's called "Día del niño"

Sri Lanka

Universal Children's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in Easter, this day was a holiday because it coincided with Ramazan, a Muslim festival. In Sri Lanka, it is a custom to take children somewhere special on this day. In schools, children are given sweets, and in nurseries and Grades 1 and 2, they are given presents. At home, various delicacies are made, and presents are given. Some Children's Parks will be free for children on October 1 in Sri Lanka. In 2008, Peter Hayes, the British High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, hosted a party, an event complete with free rides, a magic show and food for over a hundred children from nearby orphanages and from the streets. They were given gifts as well.

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.

Republic of China (Taiwan)

The Republic of China (Taiwan) designated April 4 as Children's Day (Chinese: 兒童節), pursuant to Article 5 of the Order to Implement Commemoration Days and Holidays. The holiday dates back to 1931 and since then schools often hold special activities in order to celebrate the occasion. Because of pressure from parents that demanded to accompany their children in the celebration, the ROC government celebrated Women’s Day together with Children’s Day on April 4, 1991. Since then, April 4 has been known as "The Combined Holidays of Women's Day and Children's Day" (Chinese: 婦女節、兒童節合併假期). The Legislative Yuan has announced that this holiday will be a national holiday of the Republic of China starting in 2011.

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 installation. 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 invite 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.

Tunisia

Children's Day in Tunisia is celebrated on March 21st 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 had its origin in Turkey. 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. Since 1927 it has also become Children's Day (Turkish: Çocuk Bayramı), 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.

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.

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. Many parents claim that "every day is Children's Day."

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.

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.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at the Methodist Conference of 1868 recommended that second Sunday in June be annually observed as Children’s Day.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1883 designated the “the second Sabbath in June as Children’s Day.”

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.

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.

Numerous churches and denominations currently observe the second Sunday in June including the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Church of the Nazarene.

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.

Nowhere in any of the proclamations did the President refer to the United Nations or the UN Resolution about Universal Child Day.

In 2009, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn issued a proclamation 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 .

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.

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.

See also

• Children's Day Festival
• Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Military use of children