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International Friendship Day is observed every year on July 30. On this special day, people around the world celebrate friendship and how deeply it impacts our lives. Only a few relations mature over time and have a rock-solid foundation, making it difficult to end them. One of them is friendship. No matter your age or the stage of life, surviving without friends is a tough nut to crack. They lift your spirits in setbacks and fill your life with love and laughter. Therefore, International Friendship Day helps people acknowledge the value of friendships and put aside their differences in order to live in a better society. Continue reading to know more about this wonderful event.
| Name of the day | International Friendship Day |
| Observed on | July 30 |
| Reason | To celebrate friendships and friends in our lives who bring love, laughter, and joy. |
Table of Contents
History of International Friendship Day
Before moving further, let’s explore the historical background of International Friendship Day:
- The International Day of Friendship was established by the United Nations in 2011.
- This day came to encourage peace efforts and bridge cultural gaps via friendship between peoples, nations, and cultures.
- For the day, the UN aimed to mobilise young people—future leaders—in local events that celebrate many cultures, foster intercultural understanding and honour diversity.
- The World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organisation, that works to promote peaceful culture through friendship, suggested the first World Friendship Day in 1958 before the U.N. officially recognised it.
Also Read: 30 Happy Friendship Day Wishes in English
Is Friendship Day on 30 July or 7 August?
One common question that many people often face is whether Friendship Day is celebrated on 30 July or 7 August. Well, this is because although the United Nations officially recognised this day on July 30, some countries celebrate it on different dates.
| Friendship Day Date | Country |
| 30 July | Bolivia and Spain |
| India | First Sunday of August |
| Finland | 14th February |
| Columbia | Third Saturday of September |
Theme of International Friendship Day in 2024
The official theme of International Friendship Day for 2024 is, “Embracing Diversity, Fostering Unity”. It reminds us to be more considerate and thoughtful towards everyone, irrespective of their background and perspectives. Moreover, the theme encourages us to find common ground and unite despite all differences.
Also Read: National Best Friends Day 2024- Date, History, Significance
Significance of International Friendship Day
International Friendship Day acts as a beacon of hope. It is not just any other day but holds great significance for people around the world.
- This day, according to the United Nations, may support the spread of societal harmony and peace in a world full of difficulties and conflicts.
- International friendship can contribute to the fundamental changes that are urgently required to achieve long-term stability, create a safety net that will protect us all, and ignite the passion for a better world where everyone works together for the common good.
- This day can help build strong bonds of trust and camaraderie.
- It helps us reconnect with old bonds and reach out to people to remember special moments spent with them.
Also Read: 13 Interesting Facts About Friendships
International Friendship Day Celebrations
Although there are different ways to celebrate International Friendship Day, here are some of the most popular ones:
- People exchange hand-made or ready-made friendship bands with their friends.
- They give each other greeting cards with a personalised message inside.
- Some people host reunions with their schoolmates or college mates and get-togethers for fun dinner parties.
- In Finland, Friendship Day is celebrated on February 14 along with Valentine’s Day. People exchange gifts, go for coffee, and plan dinner dates.
Related Blogs
| Essay on What Friendship Means To Me | Essay on Friendship |
| World Peace And Understanding Day | National Best Friends Day |
| International Day of Neutrality | World Thinking Day |
FAQs
International Friendship Day is officially recognised by the UN and is celebrated every year on 30 July.
The theme for 2024 is, “Embracing Diversity, Fostering Unity”.
Despite the fact that the United Nations has designated July 30 as International Friendship Day, India continues to observe this unique day every year on the first Sunday of August. In 2024, India will observe Friendship Day on 4 August.
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