National Children’s Day

National Children’s Day in the United States is celebrated on the second Sunday in June. This day highlights how important children are in society, and that some still face a lot of problems and difficulties in different aspects of their lives. The goal is to invest in children’s future, improve their welfare, and make the world a better place for them. If you have children, this is a good day to take some time off to play with them, talk to them, and figure out what is going on in their lives, always remembering to be a good role model for them.

A similar holiday to National Children’s Day is Universal Children’s Day, also known as World Children’s Day, commemorated every year on November 20.

History of National Children’s Day

Throughout the years, National Children’s Day has been observed on many different dates in the United States. Originally, it was created by Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard from Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1856. Children’s Day was celebrated on the second Sunday in June, and was a special day in which to baptize children, where the service addressed some of the special needs and problems that concern children.

Eventually, in 1989, the Bush and Clinton administration officially proclaimed National Children’s Day to be observed on the second Sunday of October. This was the official date for the holiday, until 2001, when the Republican government changed it to the first Sunday of June. The Obama Administration chose to change the date yet again to November 20, to coincide with the UN’s World Children’s Day.

Because of all these changes in dates, people can choose when they want to celebrate National Children’s Day. Some go with the original second Sunday in June, others prefer to observe it in November. However, nothing is stopping you from celebrating it on all those dates. We’re sure the children in your life will thank you.