Updated February 13, 2023
Friendship Day
Friends play an essential role in our lives. They are our extended family, crime partners, and guiding lights. We would go places for our friends because the relationship is so pure. Its value is undeniable, and the entire world accepts that. That’s why, every year, on the 1st Sunday of August, Friendship Day is celebrated in India. However, different countries celebrate International Friendship Day on different dates, mainly in July.
In school, friendship day was all about tying bands around our friends (saving the best one for our closest friend), giving chocolates, and having a party! But as we grow up, the meaning deepens, and the focus shifts to cherishing that strong bond. International Friendship Day 2023 will fall on a Sunday (6th August), and you can enjoy it with your best friends!
Although we are all about celebrating this amazing day with our friends, have you ever wondered where this idea originated? Let’s go back in history –
The International Friendship Day idea first emerged in the 1930s with Hallmark cards. The company created a holiday that surrounded the beauty of friendship. It was initially celebrated on 2nd August, and people simply saw the day as a cynical way of making money. It was termed a market gimmick rather than celebrating the joy of this relationship. That’s why there were not as many sales of friendship day cards in Europe as Hallmark thought, and it was around the 1940s when the idea completely faded out. Although Hallmark failed at its attempt, the idea was picked up by countries around Asia to make it a custom of celebrating friendship and exchanging gifts.
After that, in 1958, the idea of International Friendship Day was proposed by Joyce Hall in Paraguay. A global holiday was announced so that people could celebrate the occasion. The day was shifted from 2nd August to 7th August. This happened because of de-synchronization in the USA.
At the same time, the World Friendship Crusade proposed the idea of celebrating the day on 30th July. It is an international civil organization that created friendship campaigns surrounding cultural peace. It was long after that when the United Nations declared 20th July as the official International Friendship Day (2011). Dr. Ramon Artemio was sitting in Puerto Pinasco and having dinner with his friends when the idea emerged in his mind.
To honor this beautiful day, Nane Annan said that Winnie the Pooh would be the ambassador of Friendship Day. She proposed this idea in front of the United Nations in 1998. Disney Enterprises and the United Nations Department of Public Information sponsored the event. Kathy Lee Gifford co-hosted it.
When is the International Friendship Day 2023?
As discussed in the beginning, the exact date for several countries is contradictory. In places like Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Ecuador, Finland, Mexico, and Estonia, this day of friendship is celebrated on Valentine’s Day. The reason is that these countries wanted to give an alternative option to those without romantic partners.
South Africa celebrates this day on the 16th of April, while Ukraine will observe International Friendship Day 2023 on the 9th of June.
In Argentina, Friendship Day has been turned into a popular concept. In 2005, there were so many calls and messages around the country that there was a breakdown in the network of mobile phones.
Ways to Celebrate
This occasion is about cherishing your bond and making your friends feel special. So, on International Friendship Day, you can do that through the following ways –
- Organize a party and celebrate the day with music, games, and lots of fun.
- Order a gift for your best friend, something he/she has wanted for a long time.
- Surprise your friends with cakes and flowers.
- Go on a weekend vacation with your friends and have a good time together.
The day is about making them happy, loved, and valued. Don’t let this opportunity slip from your hands.
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