Children’s Day
Universal Children's Day
Observed on November 20th each year. In 1954, the UN General Assembly recommended that all countries should establish a Universal Children's Day on an "appropriate" day. We are not sure, but perhaps each country did.....at various different dates during the year. The resolution was adopted on November 20, 1954.
International Children's Day
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 broadcasters "tune in to kids".
The following paragraphs are a piece of news concering this International Children’s Day.
Let's Play! 11 December 2005
UNICEF and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences are asking broadcasters around the world to highlight sport as they celebrate this year’s International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) on 11 December 2005.
The power of sport as a tool for development and peace is the theme of this year’s ICDB, the day when broadcasters throw open their studio doors and the airwaves to young producers and presenters.
And, for the first time this year, the International Academy and UNICEF will offer eight regional awards to the broadcasters which best promote the principles, purpose and main themes of ICDB.
Each regional winner will be invited to the International Emmy Awards Gala in New York on 21 November 2005 and one will receive the prestigious International Children's Day of Broadcasting Award.
With more than 2,000 broadcasters scheduled to take part, the event will focus on how sport and games provide children and young people with opportunities to express themselves and to become agents for change in their own communities.
“After 13 successful years, we continue to view ICDB as an innovative way to increase children’s participation in the broadcasting industry” said Dr. Sharad Sapra, UNICEF’s Director of Communication. “We hope regional judging will strengthen the competition and lead to greater commitment from broadcasters towards children on the day itself and during the rest of the year.”
Television and radio broadcasters continue to mark the International Children's Day of Broadcasting with distinctive and dynamic programming produced in their own countries.
World Children's Day
This is a day McDonald's uses as a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities. We are not sure of the date each year or the origin of this day.
Children's Day in Japan
Children's Day ( こどもの日 , Kodomo no hi) is one of the holidays in Japan. It is celebrated on May 5 each year, when Japan celebrate their children's growth on that day. Before World War II, it was called as "Tangonosekku" ( 端午の節句 ) and it was a festival for boys. But in 1948, when the festival became an official holiday, it became a holiday for wishing all children's happiness and welfare.
Children's Day is commemorated in Japan by flying flags in the shape of carp against the wind, symbolizing a child's determination to thrive against adversities.
Children’s Day in South Korea
South Korean Children's Day was created in 1975 as a change from Boy's Day. It is an official holiday throughout the Republic of Korea. This is celebrated on May 5. Families usually make outings to children's parks, amusement parks, zoos, or other child friendly locations.
Children’s Day in Germany
During the Cold War, the Children's Day (Kindertag) was handled quite differently in the two states. So, the date was different (GDR: Juni 1st, FRG: September, 20th), the name was slightly different (GDR: "International Children's Day" ("internationaler Kindertag"), FRG: "World Children's Day" ("Weltkindertag"), and most notably: the customs were different.
In the GDR, the holiday was intruduced in 1950, and was from then on a yearly highlight for the children. On this day of the year, one typically received congratulations and presents from one's parents and did special activities in school, such as field trips and the like. In the FRG, Children's Day did not have such meaning to the children, and was even mostly unknown to many people.
Since the affiliation in 1990, the date and name used in the FRG have become the official ones for the former GDR as well. This however was not accepted by large parts of the former GDR population, so that still many parents celebrate with their kids on the former date, June 1st, and even Children's Day public events take place on the old date.
Children’s Day in India
In India, the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru is celebrated as Children's Day every year, on November 14.
Chilaren’s Day in Turkey
April 23 is the "National Sovereignity and Children's Day" in Turkey. The date commemorates the opening of Turkish National Assembly in 1920 during the Turkish Independence War. The designation of Children's Day came in 1929 upon the recommendation of the Institution of Children's Protection. Since 1986 the Turkish government organizes an international children's festival on April 23.
Children’s Day in Thailand
The second Saturday of January is Children's Day in Thailand.