International Friendship Day
International Friendship Day created by the United Nations is observed worldwide on July 30th to celebrate the bond of friendship.
It is a day to promote friendship and community, and how everyone is appreciated and observed in different cultures.
This day is not to be confused with National Friendship Day, which is celebrated in the United States on February 15.
How Did The International Friendship Day Start
The founder of Hallmark Cards, Joyce C. Hall was the first person to suggest a day to celebrate friendship in 1930.
Although the idea was supported by the Greeting Card National Association, people were still hesitant to observe such a day.
Many people took it as an attempt to commercialize the purity of friendship and make people buy greeting cards.
The World Friendship Crusade introduced the idea of celebrating friendship worldwide in 1958.
It was an organization whose goal was to promote peace through friendship. They lobbied for several years with the UN to officially declare July 30th as International Friendship Day.
It wasn't until 2011, on July 27, that the United Nations General Assembly decided to declare July 30 as International Friendship Day.
The day encourages all member states of the UN to observe Friendship Day according to their own customs and culture.
It also promotes friendship between all people, regardless of race, nationality, religion, or gender.
How To Celebrate International Friendship Day
For International Friendship Day the United Nations promotes and encourages organizations and governments to hold community events and activities that promote friendship and bonding.
Alternatively, why not call your old friends and arrange something with them?
Meet them up for brunch, or invite them for lunch, and spend a nice day making new memories and sharing laughs.
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