Children's Day

Children's Day is an event celebrated on various days in many places around the world

History
Children's Day 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 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.

Observance of Children's Day around the world

Argentina
In Argentina, Children's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of August and it's known as Día del Niño.


Australia
Australia celebrates Children's Day on the 1st Sunday in July every year. Children's Day is a registered trade mark.[citation needed]

Universal Children's Day is celebrated on November 20th, and is not associated with Children's Day. This marks the day that Australia adopted this custom. Children's Day is not celebrated in a widespread manner in Australia.


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 20th March. But under the BNP 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 12th, coinciding with Our Lady of Aparecida's day, the country's Patron Saint, which is a national holiday.


Canada
Canada's "Child Day" is held on November 20th each year as enacted in Bill C-371, otherwise known as The Child Day Act, by the Parliament of Canada in 1993 to fulfill Canada's commitment to the United Nations General Assembly's recommendation to observe a Universal Children's Day.Canadian Children's Rights Council - Canada's Child Day It is not a holiday in Canada.


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.


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.


[edit] Cuba
Children's day is celebrated in Cuba on the third Sunday of July.


[edit] Czech Republic
The International Children's Day is celebrated on June 1.


Egypt
Egypt celebrates every 20th november with fantastic festivals and games for children.


El Salvador
In El Salvador, Children's Day is celebrated on October 1.

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, 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 with their kids on the former date, June 1, and public events pertaining to Children's Day even take place on the old date.


Guatemala
In Guatemala, Children's Day is celebrated on October 1.


Hong Kong
Children's Day is celebrated on April 4 each year (the same day as the Republic of China (Taiwan) since ROC established the Children's Day on April 4 in 1931. The ROC government combined Women’s Day with Children’s Day on April 4 in 1993, officially calling it Women’s and Children’s Day, making it a day for women, mothers, and children. The practice is still observed by both the Hong Kong SAR Government and the public after the handover in 1997, though this festival has not been a public holiday before the handover. [1], [2], [3]


Hungary
In 1931, Children's day started although then it was called Children's Week, but since 1950 it has only been a day technically the last Sunday in May. International childrens 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.


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, Tango no Sekku?) festival, originally commonly known as Boys' Day, whereas Girls' Day was celebrated separately on March 3. The holidays were merged from 1948.


Kazakhstan
Also known as the Day of Children's Safety, Children's Day is celebrated on 1 June.


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 the 30th of April. In Mexico it is also known as "EL Dia Del Nino".

New Zealand
Children's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of March each year in New Zealand. Children's Day provides New Zealanders with a special opportunity to spend time with their children, create positive memories, and take part in fun activities that start new traditions as well as continue old ones. The vision of Children's Day is to see children celebrated, nurtured and treasured by all.


Nigeria
Children's Day is celebrated on the 27th of May in Nigeria.


North 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.


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.There should be a holiday for children.We own our rights.

The electronic media in Pakistan broadcasts 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 will be held at schools.

Peru
In Peru, Children's Day is celebrated on August 17.


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.


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 1st International Children's Day" (Simplified Chinese: 六一国际儿童节; pinyin: lìuyīguójì’értóngjié). 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[1]. 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.


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 - the Children's Day is celebrated on June 1.


Romania
In Romania the Day is celebrated on June 1. This is a yearly highlight for the children. On this day, one typically receives congratulations and presents from one's parents and sometimes does special activities in school, such as field trips and the like.


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.


South Korea
In South Korea, 5th of May is officially recognised as Children's Day. The parents give children the present.


Sri Lanka
Universal Children's Day is celebrated on the 1 October. In 2008, 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 1st in Sri Lanka. In 2008, Peter Hayes, the British High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, hosted a party- a fun filled 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 in October, though there are very few actual celebrations.


Taiwan
The Republic of China (Taiwan) designates April 4 as Children's Day (traditional Chinese: 兒童節), pursuant to Article 5 of the Order to Implement Commemoration Days and Holidays.[2] 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.


Trinidad
Universal Children's Day is celebrated on the 1st Monday in October.


Turkey
In Turkey, Children's Day has been celebrated on April 23rd since 1935. It originated from the first gathering of Grand National Assembly on April 23, 1920, during the Turkish Independence War.

After the Ottomans were defeated during World War I, Turkish land had been occupied by other European countries such as England, Italy and France. Ataturk, an Ottoman commander, broke his ties with the dying Empire and started the war for independence against Allied forces and the old Ottoman regime. After years of fighting Turkey won full independence.

Turks consider Ataturk to be "The Father of Modern Turkey". After the war, Ataturk refused the role of Sultan or King and established a modern Republic instead. He gifted April 23rd to the children for the country, so that they would cherish the independence that cost so much, but at the same time walk the path of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World"

On April 23rd children from around the world come to Turkey. They're hosted by families who have children of a similar age. Festivities last over a week and the visiting and Turkish children spend a lot of time together. Many children, often not even speaking the same language, create lifelong friendships. Several of the events are broadcast on television, showing the children in their traditional national outfits, dancing singing and exchanging gifts. The United Nations participates the events.

Every year on April 23rd, the seats of Parliament are held by children, and a child becomes President for a day. The child President delivers a speech on national television.


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 1998.


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.[3]

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.[4]

The Methodist Episcopal Church at the Methodist Conference of 1868 recommended that second Sunday in June be annually observed as Children’s Day.[4]

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1883 designated the “the second Sabbath in June as Children’s Day.”[5]

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.[4]

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[6] and the Church of the Nazarene[7].

Children's Day, was proclaimed by President Bill Clinton in October 2000. He declared that it be held on October 8th.

"National Child's Day" was proclaimed by the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, as June 3, 2001 and in subsequent years on dates in early June. In 2003, he proclaimed June 1. In 2004, he proclaimed June 6th. In 2005, he proclaimed June 5th. In 2006, he proclaimed June 4th. In 2007, he proclaimed June 3rd. The White House Proclamation by the President of the United States of America, 2001

Nowhere in any of the proclamations did the President refer to the United Nations or the UN Resolution about Universal Child Day. It is important to note that 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. As of November 2007, 193 countries have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, (UNCRC). The only other country that has not ratified the UNCRC is Somalia. United States position on the UNCRC

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.[8]