Children's Day
| Children's Day | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | Many countries |
| 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, Parents' Day |
Children's Day is an event celebrated on various days in many places around the world. International Children's Day is celebrated on June 1 and Universal Children's Day is on November 20.[1]Other countries celebrate a local 'children's day' on other dates. The holiday is simply set to honor children and minors.
History
The International Children's Day had its origin in Turkey in 1920 (April 23, 1920) and later in the World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland 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.
Children's Day was first celebrated worldwide in October 1955, under the sponsorship of International Union for Child Welfare in Geneva. The idea of a Universal Children's Day was mooted by Rubab Mansoor grade 8 and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954. Moazzem and Abass helped and contributed a lot in this. 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.
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.
Children's Day 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.[2][3][4]
Observance of Children's Day around the world
Albania
In Albania, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1.
Argentina
In Argentina, Children's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of August and it's known as Día del Niño.[5] Until the 1990's, 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.
Australia
Australia celebrates Children's Day on the 1st Sunday in July every year. Children's Day is a registered trade mark.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, Children's Day has not been celebrated in a manner that makes the community realise the importance of children's rights. However, on November 20 the Youth Change Makers (YCM) plans to inform people of Children Day by holding huge children competitions and fashion shows, although it is not be considered as a holiday.
In 1996-2000, the Government of Bangladesh observed national Children's Day on the birthday of the father of nation, Bangabandhu Shekh Mujibur Rahman on March 20. But under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party regime from 2001 to 2006, this celebration was stopped and the country only observed Universal Children's Day, which was recognised by UNICEF.
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 1st 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.[6]
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
Children's Day is celebrated the second Sunday of August in Chile.
People's Republic of 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: lìu 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[7]. 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. However on June 1, 2008 the day was made even more memorable, as many people remembered the children who died in the earthquake just a few weeks before.
Hong Kong
Children's Day is celebrated on April 4 each year (the same day as the Taiwan since ROC established the Children's Day on April 4 in 1931.) The practice is still observed by the public after the handover in 1997, though this festival has not been a public holiday before the handover.[8] ,[9][10]
Republic of China, (Taiwan)
The Republic of China designates April 4 as Children's Day (Chinese: 兒童節), pursuant to Article 5 of the Order to Implement Commemoration Days and Holidays.[11] Despite not being a legal holiday, schools often hold special activities in order to celebrate the occasion. Due to pressure from parents that demanded to accompany their children in the celebration, the ROC government recognized Women’s Day with Children’s Day on April 4, 1993. Thus, the celebration is technically called Women’s and Children’s Day.
Colombia
In Colombia Children's Day is celebrated in the last weekend of April.
Costa Rica
Children's day is celebrated on September 9 in Costa Rica.
Cuba
Children's day is celebrated in Cuba on the third Sunday of July.
Czech Republic
The International 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
Egypt celebrates 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 children in 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 and Slovakia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Germany, Laos, Republic of Macedonia, Mongolia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Poland,Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Tanzania, 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, Ethiopia after their respective splits.
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, June 1, and public events pertaining to Children's Day take place on the old date.
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. International children's day is celebrated on the first Monday of October.
India
In India, Children's Day is celebrated on November 14 every year. This date marks the birth anniversary of independent India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Children's day is celebrated on this day in recognition of his lifelong fondness and work for children. He always regarded all children with affection and love, and was well known for being likeable to children. Children also loved him very much and called him "Chacha Nehru" ("Chacha" meaning uncle, younger brother of father).
Indonesia
Children's Day is celebrated on July 23.
Israel
Children's Day is celebrated on October 19.
Japan
In Japan, Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi) is a national holiday celebrated on May 5. The date was the date of the traditional 'Tango no Sekku' (端午の節句) festival, originally commonly known as Boys' Day, whereas Girls' Day was celebrated separately on March 3. The holidays were merged in 1948. Prime-Minister Tawashima of Japan says that children need a chance to be heard and respected, not spanked and told to be seen not heard.
Kazakhstan
Also known as the Day of Children's Safety, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1.
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
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.
Korea, Republic of
In South Korea, [(어린이 날) in Korean] May 5 is officially recognized as Children's Day. Parents give presents to their children as well as spend time with them. The children are taken on excursions to zoos and museums. It was originally celebrated on May 1st, but was later moved to May 5th. The children's author, Bang Jeong Hwan, was instrumental in creating Children's Day in Korea. He even developed the word "어린이", origanally meant for "younger" as opposed to "older" (늙은이), into a word meaning "child".[12][13]
Laos
In Laos, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1st.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, Children's Day is celebrated on the last Saturday of October annually. Primary schoolchildren normally go to school on this day to celebrate Children's Day. The schools that are involved would also organise numerous activities for their pupils.
Mexico
In Mexico, Children's day is celebrated on April 30. In Mexico it is also known as "El Día Del Niño".
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.
Peru
In Peru, Children's Day is celebrated on August 16 of 2009.
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.
Poland
Children's Day (Dzień Dziecka, literally "child's day") is celebrated in Poland 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 don't go to school (or public kindergarden — private institutions' practices may vary) and they 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
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. Children in Singapore do not have to attend school on this day.
Slovakia
In Slovakia, the day is called International Children's Day and is celebrated on June 1. Children get a free entrance to a zoo and some other attractions.
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 nursery's and Grades 1 and 2 presents, while 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 celebrated on the first Monday of October.
Thailand
Thailand National Children's Day (Template:Lang-th) is celebrated on the second Saturday in January. Many organization from both government and commercial sector have celebration activity for children. Children can enter zoos or use buses for free.
In tradition, Thailand's PM also needs to give Children's Day unique motto for children every year.
On Children's Day, government house are also open for children, children become PM, they come and sit in the seats of PM and also the conference room of the parliament. Military also has show of military equipment, vehicle and aircraft for the children to play closely on them.
Trinidad
Universal Children's Day is celebrated on the 1st Monday in October. It is a day we observe the rights of children and to remind us that children are blessings sent from God.
According to http://www.internationalmensday.com, International Men's Day, inaugurated November 19th 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago. Since this forms part of a 48 hour celebration of men and children respectively, then the celebration of Universal Children's Day is on Nov 20th each year, as declared by the declaration and the convention of the rights of the child in 1959 and 1989 respectively.
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. Then, Atatürk presented that special day to children as Children's Day. The day is celebrated annually in Turkey.
In Turkish, it is "23 nisan ulusal egemenlik ve çocuk bayramı" which means "april 23 national sovereignty and children's day".
Ukraine
Children's Day (Template:Lang-uk, 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.
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.[14]
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.[15]
The Methodist Episcopal Church at the Methodist Conference of 1868 recommended that second Sunday in June be annually observed as Children’s Day.[15]
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1883 designated the “the second Sabbath in June as Children’s Day.”[16]
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.[15]
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[17] and the Church of the Nazarene.[18]
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.[19]
"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.[20]
Nowhere in any of the proclamations did the President refer to the United Nations or the UN Resolution about Universal Child Day. The United States of America is one of only two countries in the world that have not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). As of November 2007, 193 countries have ratified the Convention.
In 2007, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich issued a proclamation proclaiming the second Sunday in June as Children's Day. The mayors of Aurora and Batavia, Illinois, also issued proclamations.[21]
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. [22][23]
Uruguay
Children's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of August
Vanuatu
In Vanuatu Children's Day is celebrated on the 24th of July
Venezuela
In Venezuela Children's Day is celebrated the third Sunday of July.
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.
References
- ^ United Nations Universal Children's Day [1]
- ^ "International Children's Day Flag". Crwflags.com. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ^ "June 1 International Children's Day". Diyifanwen.com. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ^ "1 June - International Children's Day". Qatar Living. 1920-04-23. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ^ Día del niño, en el sitio del Ministerio de Educación de Argentina.
- ^ "Child Day Act". Canlii. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ^ 国务院关于“六一儿童节”改为放假一天的通知
- ^ "¤µÓ¨àµ£¸` ±Ð§AÀx¿ú¯µ³Z". News.gov.hk. 2005-04-04. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
{{cite web}}: soft hyphen character in|title=at position 3 (help) - ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ "香港郵政署長在「兒童郵票 ─ 小熊穿新衣」特別郵票發行儀式上致辭全文". Info.gov.hk. 2006-03-30. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ^ 紀念日及節日實施辦法
- ^ http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/opinion/column/380182.html
- ^ "Children's Day rooted in vision of one man| Korea.net News". Korea.net. 2007-05-05. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ^ McFarland, John T. (1915). "Children's Day". The Encyclopedia of Sunday School and Religious Education. Vol. 1. New York: Thomas Nelson & Sons. p. 237. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthor=(help); Unknown parameter|author link=ignored (|author-link=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c McFarland, The Encyclopedia of Sunday School and Religious Education, vol.1, p. 238.
- ^ Moorehead, James H. (Spring/Summer 2005). "Our Documentary History: Children's Sunday in the Presbyterian Church". The Journal of Presbyterian History. 83 (1): 85.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help) - ^ African Methodist Episcopal Church official website
- ^ Church of the Nazarene official website
- ^ National Children's Day, 2000, October 7, 2000. National Archives and Records Administration
- ^ The White House Proclamation by the President of the United States of America, 2001
- ^ NationalChildrensDay.us website
- ^ "Ariel Foundation International"
- ^ "International Childrens Day at National Harborplace 2009"