International Day of Friendship

Friendship Day was originally promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards in 1919, and intended to be a day where people celebrated their friendships by sending cards. Traditionally , the Day takes place on the first Sunday of August.

The United Nations International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

The Day is also intended to support the goals and objectives of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010).

Initially, the date was proposed by the "International Crusade for Friendship", a movement created in Paraguay in 1958.

According to the Friendship Day declaration, the UN Member States and the civil society are invited to "observe this day in an appropriate manner, in accordance with the culture and other appropriate circumstances or customs of their local, national and regional communities, including through education and public awareness-raising activities".

The resolution (A/RES/65/275) places particular emphasis on involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity.

In honor of Friendship Day in 1998, Nane Annan, wife of Secretary-General Kofi_Annan, named Winnie the Pooh as the world's Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations.

** United Nations International Day of Friendship Website

** 5 Ways to Celebrate Friendship Day
Many friends acknowledge each other with exchange of gifts and cards on this day. Friendship bands are very popular in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and parts of South America. With the advent of social networking sites, friendship day is also being celebrated online.

** Other traditions

• Día del Amigo (Spanish: "Friend's Day"), a celebration of friendship, held annually on 20 July mainly in Argentina and Uruguay, but also in some other countries.
• Dia do Amigo (Portuguese: "Friend's Day"), celebration happens on 18 April because on 20 July, they celebrate International Friendship Day.