Here’s how the world celebrates Children’s Day
Today, on 14th November, India celebrates Children’s Day on the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India and a pioneer of our freedom movement. Fondly called ‘Chacha Nehru’ by kids, the great leader had once said, “The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country.” A votary of children’s rights and an all-inclusive education system, Nehru had always shared a unique and precious relationship with kids. So, when he passed away in 1964, a resolution was passed to mark his birthday every year as the Children’s Day or Bal Diwas. Till date, the country continues to commemorate Children’s Day with a lot of pomp and show.
Are you wondering whether India ever observed Children’s Day prior to 1964? Yes, it certainly did. When? Well, that would be on 20th November. This is a UN observance day and is known as the World Children’s Day, which is celebrated all across the globe. Do you know when and how this day was adopted as World Children’s Day? Do different countries follow different Children’s Day traditions? Come, explore with us.
World Children’s Day: The inception
For those unaware, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, on 20th November 1959, had officially adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Children. Since then, the UN declared 20th November as Universal Children’s Day to raise awareness among children worldwide, as well as promote their overall well-being.
In 1989, the UN General Assembly further adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Ever since then, 20th November marks the anniversary of both these important UN declarations, and World Children’s Day is celebrated on this day, globally. The theme for World Children’s Day 2022 is ‘Inclusion, for Every Child’ and will be commemorated all over the world by nations such as Canada, UAE, Denmark, Italy and Ethiopia among others.
Children’s Day in Germany
If you have read through world history minutely, you would know that in 1949, Germany had formally split into two independent nations: Federal Republic of Germany or West Germany allied to Western democracies and the German Democratic Republic or East Germany, allied to the USSR. The construction of the infamous Berlin Wall made this divide official.
Back then, both the countries celebrated Children’s Day separately. While East Germany celebrated it on 1st June and called it ‘Internationaler Kindertag,’ or International Chidlren's Day, West Germany marked ‘Weltkindertag’ or World Children's Day on 20th September. However, when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and Germany was reunified, 20th September was officially adopted as the German Children’s Day to celebrate the driving force of the reunited nation: The children.
Children’s Day in Bangladesh
While India marks Children’s Day on 14th November, the birth anniversary of the great leader Pandit Nehru, its neighbour Bangladesh too follows a similar path. Okay, so when does Bangladesh observe Children’s Day? It’s 17th March, that also happens to be the birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He is known in Bangladesh as the Father of the Nation. Rahman had enacted the Childs Rights Act in 1974, a few years after the country’s independence to protect kids as well as secure their rights. The nation celebrated its first Children’s Day in 2009.
Children’s Day in Japan
The Japanese regard number five as lucky and special. As a result, it commemorates Children’s Day or ‘Kodomo no hi’ every year on the 5th day of the fifth month (5th May) of the year. Earlier, the same day was observed as Boy’s Day in Japan. However, following the World War II and its catastrophic repercussions in the country, the Japanese government renamed that very day as Children’s Day to uplift the morale of the people. The goal was to celebrate the happiness, well-being, progress and good health of children and express gratitude to their mothers.