International Day of Charity 2024- History, Theme, Significance

International Day of Charity is observed every year on 5th September. On this day, people across the globe unite to encourage and honour philanthropic and charitable activities of any kind. Apart from this, the International Day of Charity also commemorates the death anniversary of Mother Teresa, also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, a nun known for her charitable activities. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for undertaking work in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress. In this blog, you will read all about the International Day of Charity, its history, significance, and more important details.

Name of the day	International Day of Charity
Observed on	5 September
Reason	To commemorate the death of Mother Teresa.

History of International Day of Charity

Here is the historical overview of the International Day of Charity:

• Mother Teresa was well known for her charitable activities. She was the nun who dedicated her life to caring for the destitute and dying in the Kolkata slums.
• Moreover, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her contribution to the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, a threat to peace.
• Sadly, she passed away on 5th September 1997.
• Therefore, in 2012, the United Nations declared her death anniversary the official day to celebrate International Day of Charity.
• This important day recognizes the work of Mother Teresa and the role of charity in irradicating the humanitarian crisis and human suffering within and among nations. Moreover, the day recognizes the effort made by charitable organizations and individuals.
• Thus, the resolution A/RES/67/105  passed by the General Assembly recognizes 5th September as the International Day of Charity.
• The resolution was adopted on 17 December 2012 and was co-sponsored by the 44 UN member nations.

Also Read: World Day Against Child Labour

International Day of Charity Historical Timeline 

The timeline of the International Day of Charity is as follows:

Time	Event
2500 BC	Ancient Hebrews launched a mandatory tax (or ‘tithe’) for the benefit of the poor
28 BC	Augustus, the first Roman emperor, gave 200,000 to his people as public aid
1643	Harvard University organized the first American fundraising drive( 500 pounds). At the time America was not a country
August 26, 1910	Mother Teresa was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in the Ottoman Empire.
1913	Congress passed the Revenue Act in 1913, which excluded charities from taxes
1914	The Cleveland Foundation in Ohio became the world’s 1st  community foundation.

What is the Theme of International Day of Charity?

There is no theme for the celebration of International Day of Charity in 2024. Nonetheless, the day continues to act as a reminder of the power of charity for the betterment and upliftment of mankind. It encourages individuals and governments to come together and participate in acts of kindness and make this world a better place for all.

What is the Objective of this Day?

The International Day of Charity was established with the aim of sensitizing and mobilizing NGOs, people, and stakeholders to help those in need. It also encourages people to volunteer and take part in philanthropic activities.

Also Read: International Day of Acceptance: Embrace the Disabled

How to Celebrate the International Day of Charity?

The day recognizes the charitable activities done by individuals, people, and organizations. This day is about helping others There are several ways people can celebrate the International Day of Charity. These are listed below:

• Donating funds to charity- Donating funds to charitable organizations, or directly to the needy is one of the best ways to celebrate the International Day of Charity. However, it is best to do research beforehand.
• Volunteer- Assist others with your valuable time. These are several charities that seek assistance from volunteers. Reading books to children, cleaning natural areas, and teaching students with special needs are some of the activities that can be done
• Attending a charity event- Attending a charitable event can help charitable organizations raise funds. 

5 Fun Facts About International Day of Charity

The day recognizes the philanthropic activities done by organizations and individuals. Here are some fun facts about this day.

• Historically, December is the month when most of the charities are recorded
• Australia is the most charitable country in the world
• Women are more likely to help a volunteer, or stranger, or donate money
• The average age of a donor to charity is 62 in the US
• More than, 10 per cent of all online donations are either $1000 or more

Also Read: International Day of Families- History, Theme, Significance

Why Do We Love International Day of Charity?

There are several reasons to celebrate the International Day of Charity.

• International Day of Charity encourages people to give back to the community
• The day spreads awareness about the humanitarian cruises and encourages people to take impactful action
• Helps individuals to find the causes they believe in and contribute to the same. For example, eradicating racism, environmental welfare, education of children, and more.

International Day of Charity Dates 

The International Day of Charity is celebrated on 5th September every year. Here is the timeline for this day. This year, the International Day of Charity falls on 5th September, 2023.

Date	Day	Year
5 September	Tuesday	2023
5 September	Thursday	2024
5 September	Friday	2025
5 September	Saturday	2026
5 September	Sunday	2027

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