Since at least 1857, churches, countries and the United Nations have designated particular days on which to celebrate and honour children. June 1 and November 20 are the most popular dates. Whatever day, or days, a church might choose to highlight in the year, a Children’s Sunday offers a congregation the opportunity to focus on the children in their midst and around the world.
Worship Resources for Children’s Day
History
The idea of setting aside a day to celebrate and honour children is not new. Here are some of the world’s celebrations, The year mentioned refers to when the special day was instituted.
April 23 (1920), Children’s Day, Republic of Türkiye: the first officially declared national holiday by the Republic of Türkiye.
May 5 (1948): Children’s Day, Japan (こどもの日 Kodomo no Hi): a Japanese national holiday set aside to ‘respect children’s personalities and to celebrate their happiness.’ Traditionally, families fly koinobori, fish-shaped windsocks connecting to a Chinese legend.
June 1 (1950) The International Day for Protection of Children: established by the Women’s International Democratic Federation at its1949 congress in Moscow
June 1, Children’s Day: celebrated by as many as 50 countries
June 6 (1991) Day of the African Child, initiated by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to honour the thousands of children who participated in the Soweto Uprising in South Africa on 6 June, 1976, and to raise awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to children in Africa.
June, second Sunday (1857) Children’s Day: Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard, pastor of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA, held a special service dedicated to, and for the children. It was first called Rose Day, then Flower Sunday, and finally Children’s Day.
- 1867: The Universalist Convention (USA) passed a resolution commending churches to set apart one Sunday in each year as Children’s Day.
- 1868: The Methodist Episcopal Church (USA) recommended that second Sunday in June be annually observed as Children’s Day.
- 1883: The Presbyterian Church (USA) designated the second ‘Sabbath’ in June as Children’s Day.
- 1883: the National Council of Congregational Churches (USA) commended second Sunday of June as Children’s Day.
November 20 – Universal Children’s Holiday recommended by the United Nations.
20 November 1959: the United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
20 November 1989: The United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child
November 20 (1954), Universal Children’s Day, United Kingdom: established and promoted for the ‘mutual exchange and understanding among children and to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world’s children’.
Photo: Koinobori flying on Children’s Day in Japan, by Frank Richards
