International Day of Charity

International Day of Charity is observed on 5th September every year. On this day, philanthropic and charitable activities of any kind are honoured. It is also the death anniversary of Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa or Saint Teresa of Calcutta was 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. The day was declared a holiday by the United Nations in 2012. Since then, the day has been celebrated worldwide. On the International Day of Charity, several acts of charity take place such as buying gifts for charitable purposes. Keep reading to know more about the International Day of Charity.

Objective

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.

History 

5th September is the death anniversary of Mother Teresa, the nun known for dedicating her life to caring for the destitute and dying in the Kolkata slums. Mother Teresa was well known for her charitable activities. Moreover, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her contribution to the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which is also a threat to peace. Therefore the United Nations, in 2012 declared her death anniversary as the International Day of Charity. The International Day of Charity 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.

UN Resolution

5 September is declared as the International Day of Charity by the UN resolution adopted by the General Assembly. The resolution was adopted on 17 December 2012 and was co-sponsored by the 44 UN member nations. This year the International Day of Charity will be celebrated on 5th December 2023

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.

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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

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 Timeline 

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

Also Read: World Environment Day: Theme, History, Importance

FAQs

The International;l Day of Charity is on 5th September, 2023. The day observes the charitable work of Mother Teresa and honors the philanthropic activities done by individuals, and organizations. To discover more articles like this one consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu