International Day of Friendship

There’s no denying the importance of friendship. After all, it allows us to see and enjoy the world from a different perspective. From new music to food, our best buddies have introduced us to experiences that we may have otherwise never known. Bring all your favorite people together and show them how much they mean to you by celebrating International Friendship Day on July 30 this summer and every year after that.

If you’ve never participated in this wonderful holiday, now is your chance! We’ve gathered our favorite ways to celebrate International Friendship Day so that you can enjoy the festivities to the fullest. Keep reading to learn more about what the day is all about.

What is International Friendship Day?

International Friendship Day, also known as World Friendship Day, is an initiative established by the UN General Assembly that is observed annually on July 30. The UN uses this day to promote friendship and peace, regardless of race, country, culture, and ideologies.

As much as we’d like to believe the world is at peace, it simply isn’t true. From violence experienced abroad and within our own communities, it’s more important than ever to cherish the bonds we have and strive toward making new ones. The UN’s vision for International Friendship Day goes beyond the friends we’ve known all our lives. At an individual level, it’s also about expanding your knowledge and finding common ground with those who are different. However, on a broader spectrum, it’s a day for countries to continue building bridges of unity with other governments.

The UN refers to International Friendship Day as a global commitment to peace, understanding, diversity, and inclusion. As we all share the planet we live on, the UN wanted a day to encourage everyone, old and young, the importance of not only establishing connections locally but on a global front as well.

When is International Friendship Day?

Whether you met your friends during recess or instantly clicked with a coworker, show you you cherish them this International Friendship Day on July 30, 2021. Some countries, such as Spain, Brazil, and Argentina, will celebrate this holiday on July 20, while other countries like Malaysia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bangladesh, and India will celebrate on the first Sunday of August.

History of International Friendship Day

The earliest International Friendship Day can be traced back to 1919 when the UN participated in an unofficial Friendship Day event. Almost a decade later, Hallmark released Friendship Day greeting cards to commemorate this special day. However, it wasn’t until 1958 when the first International Friendship Day was acknowledged as a legitimate holiday by the World Friendship Crusade, an international organization founded by Dr. Ramón Artemio Bracho in Paraguay. Their goal was rooted in promoting peace through friendship.

In 2011, the United Nations officially introduced the International Day of Friendship as a day that everyone should honor around the world. This day closely follows the Culture of Peace initiative that was proposed by UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, and adopted by the UN in 1997. This Culture of Peace defined a set of values to reject violence and prevent conflicts.

How to Celebrate International Friendship Day

To celebrate International Friendship Day, governments and organizations are encouraged to host events that focus on understanding different cultures and views. However, there are many other ways to join in on the International Friendship Day festivities. Here are a few ideas to get you excited about the upcoming Friendship Day.

Surprise your friends, relatives, or coworkers with an orchid delivery to demonstrate just how much you appreciate them. Orchids symbolize friendship, so it’s a great way to thank them for all the knowledge they’ve shared with you.
If you haven’t heard from your friends in a while, why not give them a call? You can even host a fun virtual Friendsgiving to catch up.
Whether your friends live nearby or are on the other side of the world, send them a postcard to let them know you’re grateful for their friendship. You can share a movie, book, TV, or flower quote that reminds you of them.
Make new friends by participating in an event hosted in your neighborhood. For example, if there’s a community garden near you, see if they have group gardening days. You might even be able to take a few sunflowers or a beautiful tulip arrangement home with you.

If you have an extra special best friend, you can do all the activities mentioned above for National Bestfriend Day on June 8!

International Friendship Day occurs annually, but it’s important to continue encouraging peace and unity through friendship beyond this holiday. Take this day as an opportunity to reflect on the relationships you’ve made so far and find ways to keep establishing special bonds. Have a happy International Friendship Da