Universal Children’s Day is a holiday that’s observed internationally on the 20th of November each year. This is a holiday that was created in the mid-1950s by the United Nations and its purpose is to promote awareness and togetherness about children’s issues internationally.

It’s a day on which all of us are reminded that investing in our children is an investment in the future of society. It’s also a day on which to recognize that all children have basic rights-rights that shouldn’t be violated but are violated all over the world on a daily basis. That’s why we all have to come together and observe this holiday on November 20th each year.

The History Of Universal Children’s Day

The first Children’s Day to be ever celebrated was created in 1857 by Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard. Dr. Leonard was a pastor of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer located in Chelsea, Massachusetts. This day would eventually be adopted in 1920 by the Republic of Turkey, and then by other countries shortly thereafter.

In 1954, the United Nations created Universal Children’s Day and on November 20, 1959, the UN would adopt an extended form of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. This holiday has since been observed as an international holiday every year.

Observing Universal Children’s Day

Every year, the United Nations releases a theme on which Universal Children’s Day activities can be directed. For example, in 2021, the theme was “A Better Future for Every Child.”

Organizations and governments all across the world also take the time to look at and develop strategies for educating, and protecting children. On social media, the hashtag #UniversalChildrensDay or #ChildrensDay is used to spread the word about this holiday all over the world.