Children's Day
On Children's Day, children are the focus. In around 150 countries worldwide, Children's Day is celebrated on different days. In some countries, Children's Day is even a public holiday. Why we celebrate two Children's Days in Germany and what is offered worldwide on this day, you can read here.
If there is a Mother's Day and a Father's Day, why isn't there a Children's Day, a child recently asked. There is a Children's Day, but it has not yet been fully established everywhere in Germany. Nowadays, there are even two Children's Days in Germany to draw attention to the needs of children and important topics such as children's rights.
June 1st INTERNATIONAL Children's Day
Firstly, there is the International Children's Day, which is celebrated on June 1st. In Eastern Europe, Asia, and the new federal states of Germany, this Children's Day has been celebrated since 1950. Children receive gifts and families celebrate together. In many daycare centers and communities, there are events with children's programs, games, and fun. On the very first Children's Day, a children's railway was opened in Dresden. It still exists today and is recommended for all train enthusiasts.
September 20th WORLD Children's Day
Then in Germany, we also have World Children's Day, celebrated on September 20th. The UN called in 1954 to establish a day as a holiday for children. At the end of the 1980s, they themselves introduced World Children's Day on September 20th. This is how Germany ended up having two Children's Days. However, the holiday was long not given much importance, only from 1989 with the signing of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, the day has more of a political focus and is not traditionally rooted in the population.
The Children's Fund organizes a large World Children's Day festival every year at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. Unfortunately, last year it was only held online.
This year's motto for World Children's Day 2021 is "Children's Rights Now!". You can read more about it here: https://www.dkhw.de/presse/schlagzeilen-archiv/schlagzeilen-details/kinderrechte-jetzt-unicef-deutschland-und-deutsches-kinderhilfswerk-geben-motto-zum-weltkindert/
Children's Day in other countries
In 1920, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk introduced Children's Day in Turkey, which is celebrated every year on April 23rd. Thus, Turkey was the first country with a Children's Day. The motto is: "Children of today are adults of tomorrow."
In South Korea, Children's Day is on May 5th. It is an official holiday, and children often visit amusement parks or zoos with their families on this day. Gifts are also given because Children's Day is just as important as Christmas or birthdays.
On August 16th, Children's Day is celebrated in Paraguay. On this day, the Battle of Campo Grande 1869 is also commemorated, in which thousands of child soldiers, who were on average only 15 years old, were killed.
Kodomo no hi is the name of Children's Day in Japan. It is celebrated on May 5th and is part of Golden Week. Originally, the day was called Tango no sekku and was only for boys. After 1948, this changed and girls were also included. Traditionally, families decorate their houses with Koinobori on this day. These are wind socks, usually in the shape of colorful carp. They symbolize the wish for strong and healthy children and are also very decorative.
Ideas for Children's Day
If you have never celebrated Children's Day, you can consider a new family tradition. Celebrating is always nice and fun, so it's time for new rituals and ideas. Here are a few suggestions.
Decision Day
The little ones have the say for a whole day and plan the day. Will you go to the zoo, the playground, or the swimming pool?
Game Day
A whole day just playing. Take board games out of the cupboard and get started. You can also borrow games from libraries or special board game rentals. You can check online if there is one nearby. Of course, you can also borrow games from relatives and friends or invite them to play. In nice weather, you can also play soccer, badminton, or frisbee on the sports field. You can find plenty of game ideas here: https://www.kinderspiele-welt.de/spiele-fur-drausen
More information about World Children's Day and all children's rights can be found on these sites:
https://www.kindersache.de/bereiche/kinderrechte/kinderrechte, https://www.kindersache.de/weltkindertag, https://www.kinder-ministerium.de/
Image credit: CanvaPro
