By: Estefanía Leiva 10A
Have you ever heard about children’s day? I think you must have, since it’s a very old “festive day”. People often place a strong emphasis on protecting, supporting and caring for
children, and there’s no better way to do that than to celebrate them! After all, they are the ones
running the future. This holiday, also known as the Universal Children’s Day, is an international celebration intending to bring nations together to promote child welfare.
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This holiday began on the second Sunday of June in 1856 by Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard,
a pastor of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Dr. Leonard held a special service dedicated to all the children and to childhood innocence. The United Nations (UN) formally declared Children’s Day as an international event in 1954.
The United Nations established that children need support, assistance, education, and recreation to improve, and for them to grow in a healthy state. They say we should support youngsters and help them maintain the nourishment that they need in order to be better citizens
(or at least better future citizens) and to develop healthy and positive lives. This holiday certainly helps people worldwide encourage children to live a fuller life, and helps adults comprehend and understand what protecting and supporting a child means.
FUN FACTS ABOUT CHILDREN’S DAY
• More than 100 countries celebrate Children’s day.
• It is mainly celebrated on the 20th of November, although many other countries have their
own date.
• There are two official dates for Children’s Day, on June 1st and another called United Nations
Universal Children’s Day on 20 Nov.
• In India, this day has been preponed to 14th November as the date marks the birth anniversary
of independent India’s first Prime Minister.
• In Hindi, Children’s Day is known as “Bal Diwas”.
• Britain does not celebrate a national Children’s day.
• In some countries, children are usually given treats such as an outing or doing jobs that adults
would normally do. For instance, the main news of many TV and radio stations are presented by
children.