Universal Children’s Day is a holiday observed internationally on November 20th each year. This holiday was created in the mid-1950s by the United Nations, and its purpose is to promote awareness and togetherness regarding children’s issues worldwide.

It is a day on which we are all reminded that investing in our children is an investment in the future of society. It is also a day to recognize that all children have basic rights—rights that should not be violated but are violated all over the world on a daily basis. That is why we all must come together and observe this holiday on November 20th each year.

The History of Universal Children’s Day

The first Children’s Day ever celebrated was created in 1857 by Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard. Dr. Leonard was a pastor of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer located in Chelsea, Massachusetts. This day would eventually be adopted in 1920 by the Republic of Turkey and then by other countries shortly thereafter.

In 1954, the United Nations established Universal Children’s Day, and on November 20, 1959, the UN adopted an extended form of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. This holiday has since been observed as an international holiday every year.

Observing Universal Children’s Day

Every year, the United Nations releases a theme around which Universal Children’s Day activities can be directed. For example, in 2021, the theme was “A Better Future for Every Child.”

Organizations and governments across the world also take time to look at and develop strategies for educating and protecting children. On social media, the hashtags #UniversalChildrensDay or #ChildrensDay are used to spread the word about this holiday worldwide.