Brief History of Children's Day in America & the World!Children’s Day observations in the United States predate both Mother’s and Father’s Day, though Children's Day is not universally celebrated in the United States nor around the world on a single day. The celebration of a special children’s Day in America dates back to the 1860s and earlier.
Starting in 1856, many Americans began calling for the celebration of Children's Day. In 1883, nearly all the state bodies of the United States passed resolutions for the observance of the day.
Massachusetts and numerous churches currently observe the second Sunday in June and Hawaii recognizes the first Sunday in October as Children's Day.
In 2000, President Bill Clinton proclaimed Children's Day to be held in October and President George W. Bush proclaimed National Child's Day on the first Sunday in June. In 2007, Illinois Govenor issued a proclamation naming the second Sunday in June as Children's Day and in May of 2009, International Children's Day was celebrated at the Washington DC.
World Children's Day!
World Children's Day is observed every year on the 20th of November. In 1954 to protect children from having to work long hours in unsafe conditions and allow all children to have access to learning, the UN General Assembly recommended that all countries should establish a Universal Children's Day on an "appropriate" day. World Children's Day is celebrated every year in honor of children and also as an annual global fundraiser to benefit branches of Ronald McDonald House Charities around the world. Today, World Children's Day is celebrated in more than 100 countries.
International Children's Day!
International Children's Day is celebrated every year in the second Sunday in December. This is a joint initiative between UNICEF and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. It's a day when special programs are broadcast for kids. The occassion is said to have originated in Turkey in 1920 and later in the World Conference for the Well Being of Children held in Switzerland in 1925. After the conference, governments around the world decided to specify a day as Children's Day to draw attention to children's issues. Many countries, including the Soviet Union, chose June 1. And from this time, International children's day is celebrated on the 1st of June each year.
Children's Day in Japan!
In Japan, Children's Day is observed as a national holiday called "Kodomo no Hi" and is celebrated annually on May 5th as a part of the Japanese Golden Week festival held in honor of children and to celebrate their happiness. Originally, two days were set apart to celebrate one for boys and another for girls, but in 1948, the government consoldated the two days into one to celebrate the happiness of all children.
California's Children's Day, April 24th!
In California since 1995, an organization called Children's Day USA has been fighting to establish an official Children's Day. In 2008, a Resolution was issued by a member of the California State Senate declaring the last Saturday in April as Children's Day throuhgout California.
In February of 2010, Clando Browlee, Event Coordinator for the San Diego Children's Coalition, established a partnership with Children's Day USA to bring Children's Day to fruition in San Diego and the Coalition established the County of San Diego's Children's Day Celebration not only to honor children but those individuals and organizations in the service of children. The Children's Coalition is proud and honored to help in this worthy cause!
